This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on lameness in dairy cattle.
This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on lameness in dairy cattle.
The first chapter provides an overview of lameness and its impact on dairy cow health and welfare. The chapter reviews existing methods for manual and automated detection of lameness, including approaches that detect changes and abnormalities in the gait, stance and behaviour of the animal, including the use of video, accelerometers and spatial positioning systems.
The second chapter discusses the aetiology of the four main causes of lameness in dairy cows: sole ulcer, white line, digital dermatitis and interdigital phlegmon. The chapter reviews the importance of prompt and effective treatments, as well as the best practices to optimise foot health to prevent the onset of lameness.
The third chapter reviews advances in dairy cattle breeding to improve resistance to claw and foot disorders, primarily lameness. It considers the various steps in breeding, from the definition of the breeding goal to genomic evaluation and data validation, as well as the consequent challenges which can develop.
The final chapter examines the impact of lameness on dairy production and highlights the importance of optimising foot health in dairy cattle to prevent the occurrence of lameness. The chapter discusses claw horn disruption and concludes with a case study on an outbreak of lameness in a herd of 800 Holstein cows.
Chapter 1 - Developments in automated systems for monitoring livestock
health: lameness: Zoe E. Barker, University of Reading, UK; Nick J. Bell,
University of Nottingham, UK; Jonathan R. Amory, Writtle University College,
UK; and Edward A. Codling, University of Essex, UK; 1 Introduction2 Lameness
and its impacts3 Lameness and behaviour4 Non-automated detection of lameness5
Automated detection of lameness using non-wearable technology6 Automated
detection of lameness using animal-mounted accelerometers7 Automated
detection of lameness using spatial positioning systems8 Conclusion and
future trends9 Where to look for further information10 References
Chapter 2 - Preventing and managing lameness in dairy cows: Nick Bell, The
Royal Veterinary College, UK; 1 Introduction2 Lameness in dairy cows:
associated pain, prevalence and incidence3 Recording causes and ensuring
prompt and effective treatment4 Lesion aetiology and categories of risk for
the four main causes of lameness in dairy cows5 Risk assessments and
cost-effective interventions6 Conclusions: how assessment, evaluation and
facilitation is driving improvement7 Where to look for further information8
References
Chapter 3 - Advances in dairy cattle breeding to improve resistance to claw
disorders/lameness: C. Egger-Danner, ZuchtData EDV-Dienstleistungen GmbH,
Austria; and B. Heringstad, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU),
Norway; 1 Introduction2 Breeding goals3 Data sources of phenotypes4 Genetic
evaluation5 Selection and genetic gain6 International developments in
improving claw health and lameness7 Conclusion8 Future trends9
Acknowledgements10 Where to look for further information11 References
Chapter 4 - Optimising foot health in dairy cattle: Nick J. Bell, The
University of Nottingham, UK; 1 Introduction2 Claw horn disruption a
paradigm shift3 Aetiopathogenesis of white line bruising and lesions4
Aetiopathogenesis and control of digital dermatitis5 Summary and critical
control points6 Case study7 Emerging diseases and future concepts8 Where to
look for further information9 References
