A Longitudinal Study of Lameness Incidence and Association with Animal-Based Welfare Measures in Dairy Cows

The objective of this study was to investigate time lameness event, prevalence claw lesions, and their associations with animal-based welfare measures (ABWMs) in dairy cows. A total 120 non-lame lactating cows (n = 30 each from four intensive farms) having no lesion were enrolled the study. cow-level enrollment criteria included good body condition score (BCS), normal hock score, absence injuries, length. Information on cows’ parity, milk yield, previous event (PLE) recorded. observed twice monthly (every 2 weeks) for locomotion scores (LS), ABWMs, whereas lesions recorded upon onset at end observation period. Cows considered lame when consecutive LS 3, or any assessment 4. Cox regression models used incidence association while between latter horn (CHL) analyzed using logistic models. Twenty-four percent (29/120) during Lameness risk associated PLE (Hazard ratio; HR 7.4; 95% CI 2.4-23.0), presence overgrown (HR 3.7; 1.1-12.6) low BCS pre-lame 4.5; 1.3-16.6). Amongst affected 68.4% (37/44) CHL predominant (75.4%) compared infectious (24.7%). lower (< 3.0) (OR 5.7; 1.6- 20.4) those 7.2; 2.1-24.7) more likely have CHL. Management practices such as maintaining condition, improved care history lameness, proper trimming could assist farmers reduce studied herds.