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Early detection of lameness in heifers with hairy heel warts using a pressure plate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

PE Almeida ,
DR Mullineaux ,
W Raphael ,
C Wickens  and
AJ Zanella
PE Almeida
Affiliation:
Animal Behavior and Welfare Group, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
DR Mullineaux
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology and Health promotion, College of Education, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, USA
W Raphael
Affiliation:
College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
C Wickens
Affiliation:
Animal Behavior and Welfare Group, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
AJ Zanella*
Affiliation:
Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Sciences, Oslo, PO Box 1537 Dep 0033, Norway
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: adroaldo.zanella@veths.no
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Abstract

Lameness is an indicator of pain and suffering, which has substantial animal welfare and economic impact on the dairy industry. Subjective locomotion scoring is unreliable for detecting mild cases of lameness in dairy herds. Undetected lameness can progress to a more serious and painful state with unfavourable prognosis. The aim of this study was to conduct an investigation on the use of a pressure plate for early detection of lameness in dairy heifers compared to a subjective visual scoring system. Seven heifers deemed sound, on the basis of a visual scoring system, were walked through a chute where a pressure plate was disguised on the floor. Claws were then inspected during trimming and revealed no lesions (n = 3) and hairy heel warts on at least one hind claw (n = 4). Peak vertical force (PVF) and right-left hind limb PVF symmetry were calculated. Sound heifers demonstrated significantly higher PVF and better right-left hind limb symmetry than those with hairy heel warts. Using a pressure plate, gait abnormalities from foot lesions that were undiagnosed using a subjective lameness scoring system, were detected. Early detection of lameness is vital to reduce dairy industry losses and to improve animal welfare.

Keywords

animal welfarebiomechanicscattlelamenesspain assessmentpressure plate
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 16 , Issue 2: Special Issue: Proceedings of the 3rd International Workshop on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level , May 2007 , pp. 135 - 137
Copyright
© 2007 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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