Naslov
PREVALENCE OF LAMENESS IN DAIRY COWS IN CROATIA

Autori
Dumančić, Robert ; Vlahek, Ivan ; Močibob, Katja ; Toholj, Bojan ; Lipar, Marija ; Pećin, Marko ; Smolec, Ozren

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Book of abstracts of 8th International Congress Veterinary Science and Profession 2019 / - , 2019, 108-108

Skup
8. međunarodni kongres Veterinarska znanost i struka

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 10.10.2019. - 12.10.2019

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
prevalence ; lameness ; dairy cows ; Croatia

Sažetak
Lameness is one of the largest issues within the dairy industry. Economic losses from lameness include a decreased milk production, impaired fertility and an increased risk of culling. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of lameness in dairy cows in Croatia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 2018 to December 2018 in continental parts of Croatia. Foot lesion data were recorded by hoof trimmers on 6, 537 cows, of which 3, 662 had some sort of lameness recorded. The history of farm and management as well as previous lameness history was collected. The overall prevalence of lameness in dairy cows was 56.01%. The prevalence is reported to be 5% in Sweden and up to 48% in the USA. The prevalence among farmers was not significantly different (p > 0.05). Cow owners in the studied areas practice foot trimming, but not regularly, two times a year. Most farmers did not seek veterinary care when a cow showed lameness. Dermatitis digitalis was reported in 32%, hoof ulcer was reported in 27%, laminitis in 19%, hoof fissure in 7%, double sole in 7%, limax in 2% and white line separation in 6% of the cows. The results suggest that the prevalence of lameness among dairy cattle in Croatia is higher than previously thought and foot lesion data recorded by hoof trimmers can provide useful information to develop effective foot health programmes at the herd level. Lameness was more frequently observed in cows housed in tie stalls without exercise than in cows housed in loose-housing systems. In the present study, the prevalence of lameness in individual herds ranged from 14.9 to 71.7%, which suggests that with the application of an adequately frequent and correct claw-trimming protocol, the prevalence of severe hoof lesions and lameness can be decreased. Digital dermatitis has developed to the most relevant and costly foot disease in dairy cattle in Croatia, especially in cows held mostly in barns.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Veterinarska medicina

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