Epidemiological Survey and Analysis of Environmental Factors on Slight Hoof and Leg Diseases in Dairy Cow

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the minor hoof and leg diseases in dairy cows at hoof treatment. Inthe tie-stalls, the prevalence of heel horn erosion in both hind lateral and medial claws, sole hemorrhages andwhite zone lesions in the hind lateral claws and periarthritis in the hind limbs were high. In the free-stalls, theprevalence of heel horn erosion in both fore and hind limbs, sole hemorrhages and white zone lesions in thehind lateral claws were high. Next, the relationship with environmental factors contributing to those diseaseswas analyzed using multiple logistic regression. As a result of an analysis in the tie stalls, such as having nomaterial spread on the floor of the cubicle, the risk of heel horn erosions, white zone lesions, and sole hemorrhagesincreased. The risk of heel horn erosions and white zone lesions rose because of the wet floor in thecubicles, attributable to feces and urine. Other factors that elevated the risk of sole hemorrhages and periarthritisinvolved the short cubicle floor and the difference between the cubicle floor and the excreta ditch, andthe risk of sole hemorrhages was brought about by the narrow interval between the floor and the partition. Ananalysis of the environmental factors in the free stalls found that the risk of heel horn erosions and white zonelesions and sole hemorrhages increased when the floor was made wet from feces and urine.