Subclinical Laminitis in Dairy Cattle: 205 Selected Cases

The economic importance of lameness in dairy cattle has newly been recognized in Turkey. Lameness incidence in Turkey has been reported to be between 13% and 58%, which is similar to that of other countries where 4% and 55% incidence rates have been reported. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of sole lesions associated with subclinical laminitis in the hooves of dairy cattle in Van, Turkey. The risk factors for subclinical laminitis are proposed and discussed. The soles 205 selected dairy cattle were examined. The lesions were determined as solar hemorrhage (61.4%), yellow waxy discoloration (58.5%), heel erosion (23.9%) and white line separation (19%). The sole lesions in cattle were widespread both before and after calving; causative factors must always have been operative. In conclusion, it is thought that husbandry and management are more influential than nutrition in the prevalence of subclinical laminitis in Turkey.

Subclinical Laminitis in Dairy Cattle: 205 Selected Cases

The economic importance of lameness in dairy cattle has newly been recognized in Turkey. Lameness incidence in Turkey has been reported to be between 13% and 58%, which is similar to that of other countries where 4% and 55% incidence rates have been reported. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of sole lesions associated with subclinical laminitis in the hooves of dairy cattle in Van, Turkey. The risk factors for subclinical laminitis are proposed and discussed. The soles 205 selected dairy cattle were examined. The lesions were determined as solar hemorrhage (61.4%), yellow waxy discoloration (58.5%), heel erosion (23.9%) and white line separation (19%). The sole lesions in cattle were widespread both before and after calving; causative factors must always have been operative. In conclusion, it is thought that husbandry and management are more influential than nutrition in the prevalence of subclinical laminitis in Turkey.

___

  • Nilsson, S.A.: Clinical, morphological and experimental studies of laminitis in cattle. Acta Vet. Scand. (suppl), 1963; 4: 124-139. 2. Greenough, P.R.: The subclinical laminitis syndrome. Bov. Pract., 1985; 20: 144–149.
  • Boosman, R., Nemeth, F., Gruys, E.: Bovine laminitis: clinical aspects, pathology and pathogenesis with reference to acute equine laminitis. Vet. Quart., 1991; 13: 163-171. 4. Bargai, U., Shamir, I., Lublin, A., Bogin, E.: Winter outbreaks of laminitis in dairy calves: aetiology and laboratory and pathological findings. Vet. Rec., 1992; 131: 411-414.
  • Lischer, C., Ossent, P.: Laminitis in cattle: a literature review. Tierarztl. Prax., 1994; 22: 424-432.
  • Midla, L.T., Hoblet, K.H., Weiss, W.P., Moeschberger, M.L.: Supplemental dietary biotin for prevention of lesions associated with aseptic subclinical laminitis (pododrematitis aseptica diffusa) in primaparous cows. Am. J. Vet. Res., 1998; 59: 733–738. 7. Bradley, H.K., Shannon, D., Neilson, D.R.: Subclinical laminitis in dairy heifers. Vet. Rec., 1989; 125: 177-179. 8. Vermunt, J.J.: Subclinical laminitis in dairy cattle. New Zeal. Vet. J. 1992; 40: 133-138.
  • Logue, D.: Lameness, lesions of the claw of the dairy cow and subclinical laminitis. Br. Vet. J., 1995; 151: 343–346.
  • Smilie, R.H., Hoblet, K.H., Eastridge, M.L., Weiss, W.P., Schnitkey, G.L., Moeschberger, M.L.: Subclinical laminitis in dairy cows: use of severity of hoof lesions to rank and evaluate herds. Vet. Rec., 1999; 144: 17-21.
  • Smilie, R.H., Hoblet, K.H., Weiss, W.P., Eastridge, M.L., Rings, D.M., Schnitkey, G.L.: Prevalence of lesions associated with subclinical laminitis in first lactation cows from herds with high milk production. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc., 1996; 208: 1445–1451.
  • Frankena, K., Vankeulen, K.A.S., Noordhuizen, J.P., Noordhuizenstassen, E.N., Gundelach, J., De Jong, D.J., Saedt, I.: A cross–sectional study into prevalence and risk indicators of digital haemorrhages in female dairy calves. Prev. Vet. Med., 1992; 14: 1–12.
  • Peterse, D.J.: Nutrition as a possible factor in the pathogenesis of ulcers of the sole in cattle. Tijdschr. Diergeneesk., 1979; 104: 966–970.
  • Peterse, D.J.: Laminitis and interdigital dermatitis and heel horn erosion. Vet. Clinics of North Am.: Food Anim. Pract., 1985; 1: 83–90.
  • Greenough, P.R., Vermunt, J.J.: Evaluation of subclinical laminitis in a dairy herd and observations on associated nutritional and management factors. Vet. Rec., 1991; 128: 11-17.
  • Bargai, U., Levin, D.: Subclinical laminitis in dairy cattle in Israel. Isr. J. Vet. Med., 1993; 48: 168-172.
  • Vermunt, J.J., Greenough, P.R.: Lesions associated with subclinical laminitis of the claws of dairy calves in two management systems. Br. Vet. J., 1995; 151: 391–399.
  • Nocek, J.E.: Bovine acidosis: implications on laminitis. J. Dairy Sci., 1997; 80: 1005-1028.
  • Svensson, C., Bergsten, C.: Laminitis in young dairy calves fed a high starch diet and with a history of bovine viral diarrhoea virus infection. Vet. Rec., 1997; 140: 574-577.
  • Livesey, C.T., Fleming, F.L.: Nutritional influences on laminitis sole ulcer, and bruised sole in Fresian cows. Vet. Rec., 1984; 114: 510-512.
  • Brandejsky, F., Stanek, C., Schuh, M.: The pathogenesis of subclinical laminitis in dairy cattle: studies of the hoof status, rumen status and blood coagulation factors. Deuts. Tierarzt. Wochens., 1994; 101: 68-71.
  • Enevoldsen, C., Grohn, Y.T.: Sole ulcers in dairy cattle: association with season, cow characteristics, disease and production. J. Dairy Sci., 1991; 74: 1284–1298.
  • Alkan, İ., Boynukara, B., Gençcelep, M.: Van ve yöresinde sığır ayak hastalıklarının yayılıflı, nedenleri ve sağaltımı üzerine bir arafltırma. Yüzüncü Yıl Üniv. Vet. Fak. Derg. 1993; 4: 87–95.
  • Yücel, R.: İstanbul ve Tekirdağ bölgesindeki sığırlarda görülen ayak hastalıklarının toplu bir değerlendirmesi. İstanbul Üniv. Vet. Fak. Derg. 1982; 8: 47–61.
  • Anteplioğlu, H., Samsar, E., Akın, F., Güzel, N.: Sığırların Ayak Hastalıkları, Ankara Üniv. Vet. Fak. Yay. No: 407: 3–11.
  • Güzel, N., Erden, H.: Aydın yöresi sığırcılık iflletmelerinde ayak hastalıklarının dağılımı. Vet. Cer. Derg., 2000; 6: 8–11.
  • Yavru, N., Elma, E., Koç, Y., Erer, H., Özkan, K., İzci, C., Kaya, Z.: Konya bölgesi sığır topalıklarına neden olan ayak hastalıkları üzerine radyolojik ve histopatolojik incelemeler., Selçuk Üniv. Vet. Fak. Derg., 1992; 8: 3–8.
  • Görgül, O.S.: Sığırlarda tırnak bakımı ve ayak hastalıkları sebep ve sonuç iliflkileri. Uludağ Üniv. Vet. Fak. Derg., 1998; 7: 37-44.
  • Singh, S.S., Ward, W.R., Murray, R.D.: Aetiology and pathogenesis of sole lesions causing lameness in cattle: a review. Vet. Bull., 1993; 63: 303–315.
Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences-Cover
  • ISSN: 1300-0128
  • Yayın Aralığı: Yılda 6 Sayı
  • Yayıncı: TÜBİTAK