2021 Volume 74 Issue 11 Pages 707-713
Bovine digital dermatitis (DD) is classified into M stages, ranging from M0 (Healthy), M1, M2, M3, M4 and M4.1 and is prone to recurrence. In this study, we recorded the M-stage classification of DD at 504 limbs in 126 Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle in April 2020 at a freestall dairy farm in Hokkaido, during regular foot trimming. We analyzed the data to reveal the occurrence of DD and to take preventive measures. As the method, we determined the prevalence of active DD (aDD). Then, the objective variable was set at each M-stage classification of DD by binomial logistic regression analysis, while the explanatory variables were the observation places, the number of calving, and the last three observations during hoof trimming up to February 2019. The results showed that prevalence of aDD cattle was 24.6%, and a high ratio of aDD was observed in a herd consisting mainly of first lactation cattle. Further, aDD was more common where it had been recorded in the past. Our study, in which hoof trimming information was recorded and analyzed according to M-stage classification, provided useful information for herd management and was believed to be the first report of its kind in Japan.
