In order to establish an easier detection method for hoof diseases without raising hooves, we examined the effectiveness of triaxial accelerometer and gait score in detection of sole ulcer and white line disease. Cattle with healthy hooves placed their hooves on the ground using the lateral claws and then pushed off using their inner claws, and their locomotion score were classified in score 1. The mean vector sum of acceleration of these healthy cattle was 3622±227m/s². Cattle with sole ulcer set their affected hooves on the ground using both of the inner and lateral claws, locomotion score were classified in score 2 or 3, and the mean vector sum of acceleration was 7225±877m/s², which was significantly higher than that of healthy cattle( p < 0.01). Cattle with white line disease showed a mean vector sum of acceleration similar to that of healthy cattle, though their locomotion score were classified in score 3 or 4. These results suggested the usefulness of the combination of vector sum of acceleration and gait score for detection of sole ulcer and white line disease in cattle.

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To characterize the amino acid metabolism in left displacement of the abomasum (LDA)in dairy cattle, we examined clinical cases of LDA with high blood β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), which developed in association with a negative energy balance. Twenty-four dairy cattle, which developed LDA postpartum, were divided into two groups based on the blood level of BHB; in the ABHB group, BHB was lower than 1.2 mmol/ℓ(n=10), while in the HBHB Group, BHB was equal to or higher than 1.2 mmol/ℓ(n=14). Significantly higher Valine, Leucine and Isoleucine levels and significantly lower Alanine and Serine levels were observed in the HBHB group compared to the ABHB group. These results suggest that the blood free amino acid profile in the LDA cattle with negative energy balance represented hypercatabolism of the body protein due to the significant energy deficit.

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Growth, hematologic and serum biochemical effects of a hatakeshimeji (Lyophyllum decastes Sing.) extract in Holstein calves were examined. Ten female Holstein calves were divided into two study groups; one received a hatakeshimeji extract (n=5), and the other served as an untreated control group (n=5). The study period was 8 weeks from the birth of the calves. In the treatment group, three capsules per head of the hatakeshimeji extract (160mg/capsule) were administered twice daily during feeding in the morning and evening. Body size and changes in complete blood cell count and serum biochemistry were similar between the two groups during the observation period. Based on these findings, we concluded that the hatakeshimeji extract had no negative impact on the growth, hematology and serum biochemistry in Holstein calves.

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Clinical characteristics of limb fracture in 25 calves and growing cattle that had been treated during a 5-year period (from January 2006 to December 2010) were reviewed. The majority of the cases were Japanese Black cattle (n=19) followed by Holstein-Frisian (n=5) and Japanese Shorthorn cattle (n=1). The number of cases was similar by sex (13 males and 12 females). The age of the animals ranged from 0 to 13 months with 12 (48 %) cases under 1 month of age, and the body weight ranged from 23 to 300 kg with 15 (60 %) cases under 100 kg. The fracture types were diagnosed as humeral diaphyseal fracture (3 cases), radial or ulnar epiphyseal plate fracture (3 cases each), metacarpal diaphyseal (7 cases) and epiphyseal (4 cases) plate fracture, femoral neck fracture (2 cases), tibial diaphyseal fracture (3 cases), and metatarsal diaphyseal fracture (3 cases). The epiphyseal plate fractures in 7 cases were divided into three types by the Salter-Harris classification: typeⅠ (3 cases); typeⅡ (3 cases) and typeⅢ (1 case). Open fractures were observed in 4 cases of the metacarpal, tibial and metatarsal diaphyseal fractures. By the Gustilo classification, which assesses the severity of tissue damage and infection in open fracture, there were 2 typeⅠ cases and one case each for typesⅢa and Ⅲb. External coaptation using plastic fiber cast or full-limb cast was applied to 16 cases with fractures of the radius and ulna (3 cases), metacarpus (10 cases), tibia (1 case) and metatarsus (2 cases). Three calves with humeral fractures were treated by the typeⅠ external skeletal fixation with or without intramedullary pin fixation. Transfixation pinning and casting were used in 3 cattle with open fractures and in 1 case of tibial fracture. Two cases of femoral neck fracture were slaughtered without any treatment because of poor prognosis. Excluding these two cases of femoral neck fracture, the overall cure rate was 87% for the 23 limb fracture cases.

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