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Bernhard JK, Vidondo B, Achermann RL, Rediger R, Stucki D, Müller KE, Steiner A. Slightly and Moderately Lame Cows in Tie Stalls Behave Differently From Non-lame Controls. A Matched Case-Control Study. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:594825. [PMID: 33392288 PMCID: PMC7773726 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.594825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Lameness affects dairy cows worldwide and is usually associated with pain. Behavioral differences in lame compared to non-lame tie-stall-housed dairy cows might be less pronounced than in free-stall-housed, since the principle demands to a cow's locomotor system and thus the impact of lameness on behavior seem to be lower in tie stalls. Behavioral differences between lame and non-lame cows might be used to estimate the impact of lameness on the well-being of tied dairy cows. In the current study, lame cows were categorized as locomotion scoring between 2.25 and 3.25 on a 1–5 scale. The aim was to compare the eating, rumination and lying behavior of lame cows against non-lame tied dairy cows, in order to draw conclusions on the association of lameness, behavior and well-being in tied dairy cows. The eating and rumination behavior of 26, the lying behavior of 30, and the relative upright and lying activities of 25 matched case-control pairs were analyzed, considering the matching criteria farm, breed-type, and parity-group. Lame cows had fewer [mean of the pairwise differences (case–control) (meandiff) = −2.6 bouts, CI95% (−3.8–−1.4) bouts, p = 0.001], but longer lying bouts [meandiff = 26.7 min per bout, CI95% (10.1–43.4) min per bout, p = 0.006]. The lying time was shorter [meandiff = −64.7 min, CI95% (−104.4–−24.9) min, p = 0.006] in lame cows compared to their non-lame controls. Lame cows had a shorter eating time [meandiff = −27.7 min, CI95% (−51.5–−4.0) min, p = 0.042] and spent a larger proportion of their upright time ruminating [meandiff = 7.2%, CI95% (3.2–11.1)%, p = 0.001] instead of eating. The results of the current study indicate that the eating, rumination, and lying behavior of lame tied dairy cows is altered. These findings indicate that slight and moderate lameness (locomotion score between 2.25 and 3.25 on a 1–5 scale) are likely to be associated with an impaired well-being in affected tied dairy cows. This underlines the need to continuously reduce the lameness prevalence and severity in tied dairy herds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beatriz Vidondo
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Rahel Rediger
- Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dimitri Stucki
- Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Elisabeth Müller
- Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Adrian Steiner
- Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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O'Leary NW, Byrne DT, Garcia P, Werner J, Cabedoche M, Shalloo L. Grazing Cow Behavior's Association with Mild and Moderate Lameness. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E661. [PMID: 32290424 PMCID: PMC7222740 DOI: 10.3390/ani10040661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Accelerometer-based mobility scoring has focused on cow behaviors such as lying and walking. Accuracy levels as high as 91% have been previously reported. However, there has been limited replication of results. Here, measures previously identified as indicative of mobility, such as lying bouts and walking time, were examined. On a research farm and a commercial farm, 63 grazing cows' behavior was monitored in four trials (16, 16, 16, and 15 cows) using leg-worn accelerometers. Seventeen good mobility (score 0), 23 imperfect mobility (score 1), and 22 mildly impaired mobility (score 2) cows were monitored. Only modest associations with activity, standing, and lying events were found. Thus, behavior monitoring appears to be insufficient to discern mildly and moderately impaired mobility of grazing cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niall W O'Leary
- Land Management and Systems, Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce, Lincoln University, Lincoln, 7647 Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Daire T Byrne
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 C997 Cork, Ireland
| | - Pauline Garcia
- Seenovate, MIBI Building 672, Rue du Mas de Verchant, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Jessica Werner
- Animal Nutrition and Rangeland Management in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | - Laurence Shalloo
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 C997 Cork, Ireland
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Dahl-Pedersen K, Herskin MS, Houe H, Thomsen PT. Risk Factors for Deterioration of the Clinical Condition of Cull Dairy Cows During Transport to Slaughter. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:297. [PMID: 30525051 PMCID: PMC6262054 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cull dairy cows are typically transported to slaughter by road. Across different types of cattle, road transport is recognized as stressful. Cull dairy cows may have different injuries or weaknesses and may thus be more vulnerable to transport stress than other types of cattle. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the clinical condition of cull dairy cows deteriorates during transport (< 8 h), and to evaluate risk factors for potential deterioration of the clinical condition. A total of 411 dairy cows were clinically examined on farm before loading and again after unloading at the slaughter plant. The clinical examination included locomotion, presence of wounds, milk leakage, and general condition. One-fifth of the cows either became lame or more lame during transport, and there was a significant increase in the proportion of lame cows after transport (41% after vs. 31% before, P < 0.0001). A significant increase in the proportion of cows with milk leakage (17% vs. 1%, P < 0.0001) and wounds (34% after vs. 22% before, P < 0.0001) after transport were also found. Low body condition score (BCS) (< 2.75) (P = 0.001), early or late lactation [< 100 days in milk (DIM) or >300 DIM] (P = 0.01), digital dermatitis in the hind feet (P = 0.01), and pelvic asymmetry (P = 0.001) were identified as risk factors for the deterioration in lameness during transport. Early lactation (< 100 DIM) (P = 0.04) and transport distance (>100 km) (P = 0.006) were identified as risk factors for milk leakage. For wounds, no significant risk factors were found. The results demonstrate that cull dairy cows are vulnerable to the strains of transport, even journeys shorter than 8 h, to the extent that the occurrence of clinical findings were increased after transport in cows legally considered fit for transport. These results call for further research into the animal welfare implications and optimization of cattle transport.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hans Houe
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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Balmer M, Alsaaod M, Boesiger M, Studer E, O'Brien R, Schuepbach-Regula G, Steiner A. Short communication: Risk factors for sonographically detectable udder edema in overbagged cows at dairy shows. J Dairy Sci 2018; 102:660-665. [PMID: 30343925 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-15150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
At dairy cow shows, the appearance of the udder is very important. To show cows at their best, udders are often presented in an overbagged state by extending milking intervals before the show. This practice represents an animal welfare issue because it is associated with behavior changes (e.g., excessive abduction and decreased eating time) and may affect the health of the animal. The aim of the current study was to determine the association between various parameters (e.g., milk yield, days in milk, milking procedures, or administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, or diuretics) and the sonographically detectable udder edema score. Data were collected from the show catalogs, by interviewing the exhibitors, by analyzing official veterinary treatment protocols and official milking data, via laboratory analysis of blood samples, and by sonographic examinations of the udders at the show. For sonographically detectable udder edema scoring, 3 scans were taken, 1 on each fore quarter and 1 incorporating both rear quarters at the level of the median suspensory ligament. For grading the scans, a scoring system of 4 grades (score 0 = no edema, 1 = slight edema, 2 = moderate edema, 3 = severe edema) was used. Data from 321 cows of different breeds were collected at 4 highly competitive Swiss dairy shows (shows A-D) between January and September 2017. To determine risk factors for sonographically detectable udder edema, data were analyzed with 2 different logistic regression models. In model 1, the odds ratios were 3.33 (milking intervals of ≥16 h vs. <14 h), 3.84 (show A vs. show C), and 7.39 (dairy breeds vs. dual-purpose breeds). Milking intervals of dairy breeds were significantly higher than those of dual-purpose breeds. In model 2, milking interval was the only significant risk factor with an odds ratio of 9.00 for milking intervals of ≥16 h. Only the milking intervals represented a relevant risk factor in both models; therefore, we concluded that the previously described sonographic udder edema scoring is a useful technique for detecting overbagged udders at dairy shows. Its routine implementation may improve cow welfare at dairy shows.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Balmer
- Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - M Alsaaod
- Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - M Boesiger
- Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - E Studer
- Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - G Schuepbach-Regula
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, 3097 Liebefeld, Switzerland
| | - A Steiner
- Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland.
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Balmer M, Alsaaod M, Boesiger M, O'Brien R, Steiner A. Technical note: Evaluation of a sonographic overbagging edema scoring system for show cows: Comparison with visual inspection. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:7494-7499. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-14462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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