Abstract
We aimed to clarify the condition of rumen and nutritional status in dairy cows with hoof disorders, and conducted blood biochemistry tests including ammonia (NH3), lactic acid(LA) and other chemical panels. The subject cows had hoof disorders such as sole ulcer of foot bottom (51cases), heel erosion (10) and foot rot (interdigital necrobacillosis)(13). NH3 in cows with heel erosion, and LA in cows with sole ulcer and heel erosion were numerically higher than in normal cows. However, no significant difference was observed in NH3 and LA between cows with hoof disorders and normal cows. Cows with sole ulcer of foot bottom showed a tendency of elevated NH3and LA compared with normal cows. Serum concentrations of total protein in cows with hoof disorders were higher than normal; and total cholesterol, albumin, and calcium in cows with sole ulcer and heel erosion were lower than in normal cows. It is suggested that the energy and protein intakes from feeds might be decreased, and the calcium metabolism might be disturbed in cows with sole ulcer and heel erosion com-pared with those in normal cows.