Lameness in dairy cows significantly impacts both animal welfare and farm productivity, leading to economic losses due to reduced milk production, decreased feed intake, reproductive disorders, treatment costs, and early culling expenses. It is the farmer's responsibility to ensure that animals do not suffer unnecessarily. Nearly half of lameness cases go undetected or untreated, causing unnecessary pain for the affected animals. Beyond its welfare implications, lameness has several other negative consequences. Chronic pain associated with lameness induces persistent stress, which suppresses the cow's immune system, increasing the incidence and severity of other diseases.
A major challenge in controlling and treating lameness is its multifactorial nature. The causes may be individual or species-specific and could be related to environmental conditions, nutrition, or concurrent diseases. Infectious agents play a significant role, as both systemic and localized infections can lead to mobility issues in affected animals. Additionally, the prolonged treatment process, which can take several months, significantly impacts the cow’s performance and productivity. Given the high economic losses associated with lameness—sometimes exceeding 40% depending on farm size and management—it is essential to implement preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of hoof infections in dairy cattle. The most effective preventive measures include:
- Regular hoof trimming and correction - Nutritional management to prevent metabolic disorders - Footbaths with disinfectants to reduce infectious agents - Providing clean and dry environments to minimize hoof damage Lameness is characterized by abnormal gait patterns, which may include asymmetric movement, disrupted rhythm, slow walking, reduced weight-bearing on hooves, and poor posture. It encompasses all hoof and limb disorders, both infectious and non-infectious, which significantly affect animal welfare by causing pain, reducing milk production, impairing reproduction, and even leading to culling. Hoof diseases associated with lameness are most prevalent within 3 to 5 months postpartum, with mild symptoms appearing as early as the second month of lactation in approximately 20% of the herd.
Causes of Lameness in Cattle:
Lameness in cattle can result from several possible causes, including:
- - Laminitis: Inflammation of the sensitive laminar tissue responsible for hoof horn production.
- - White Line Disease: Caused by the penetration of sharp objects (e.g., stones, wood splinters, nails) into the sole at the junction with the hoof wall.
- - Sole Ulcers: Develop due to abnormal weight distribution on the hoof and may be a consequence of laminitis. This condition is commonly observed in bulls and is also a significant issue in dairy cows, particularly 2 to 4 months postpartum.
- - Digital Dermatitis: A contagious disease characterized by the formation of reddish ulcers between the claws.
- - Footrot: A bacterial hoof infection that occurs under wet and/or unsanitary conditions, affecting both intensively managed cattle and those grazing on pastures. It is particularly prevalent during the summer months.
-Costs
The average cost per cow with lameness is €293. This includes treatment costs and production losses associated with the average lame cow.
The main costs associated with lameness include:
- Reduced milk production due to reduced feed intake and general disease (65% economic loss)
- No milk consumption after antibiotic treatment (12%)
- Reduced fertility: Lame cows are less likely to survive the first insemination (5%)
- Premature removal (8%)
- Additional labor (10%)
Economic losses due to lameness include three main production parameters:
- Milk production losses at an average level of about 40 percent
- Costs due to fertility disorders are around 30 percent
- Treatment costs are also about 30%.
One of the major economic reasons for lameness in dairy cattle is that it usually begins several weeks or even months before diagnosis and continues for several weeks or even up to five months after treatment. The percentage breakdown of costs due to lameness in selected cases is presented in the table below.
.*The effect of nutrients on hoof health in cows
As mentioned, lameness is a major challenge in livestock management in livestock farming, negatively affecting animal welfare, productivity and farm profitability. Proper nutritional management plays a key role in reducing lameness, especially in dairy cows. Some minerals, amino acids and vitamins play a role in the keratinization process, which ensures healthy horn growth and structural bonding of keratin proteins. Laminitis is one of the most important diseases of the hoof of cattle. Bleeding and foot ulcers are considered as symptoms of subclinical laminitis. Excess protein in the diet can be problematic because it encourages faster horn growth. The amino acids cysteine and methionine are essential for promoting the structural and functional integrity of the hoof. Currently, various studies are focused on the health of the organs of cattle to obtain information to prevent or accelerate the healing of various hoof lesions based on nutritional supplements. Mineral and vitamin supplements (especially biotin) are associated with a reduced incidence of lameness in dairy cows. Below is a detailed discussion focusing on key nutrients, their function, and nutritional management strategies.
Key nutrients for hoof health
Amino Acids
Amino acids such as cysteine, histidine, and methionine are critical for the structural integrity of keratinocytes, the cells responsible for forming toxin. Sulfur-containing amino acids such as cysteine play an important role in the keratinization process.
– A lack of metabolizable protein in early lactation can impair keratinocyte function and lead to weakened toxin production.
– These amino acids also support the growth and maintenance of epithelial and skeletal tissues, which are essential for hoof health.
Essential minerals
Minerals such as calcium, copper, zinc, cobalt, and manganese are essential for maintaining bone structure and overall health:
– Calcium: It is vital for keratinization and the activation of enzymes such as epidermal transglutaminase, which strengthens the hoof tissue. Hypocalcemia can lead to suboptimal keratin production.
– Copper: Facilitates cross-linking of keratin strands and increases the strength of the venom. It also supports the integrity of connective tissue through enzymes such as lysyl oxidase.
– On: It has a catalytic, structural, and regulatory role in keratinization, affecting processes such as protein synthesis and cell differentiation.
– Cobalt: Essential for the synthesis of vitamin B12, which supports energy and protein metabolism. Vitamin B12 deficiency can disrupt protein and energy metabolism, potentially leading to lameness.
– Manganese: Indirectly supports keratinization by helping to grow cartilage and bone, which is crucial for the stable structure of the hoof.
Vitamins
Vitamins A, D, E, and biotin are essential for the growth and maintenance of healthy hoof tissues:
– Vitamin A: Increases the quality of keratinized tissue and cell differentiation.
– Vitamin D: Helps absorb calcium, which is very important for keratinization.
– Vitamin E: Prevents oxidative stress in keratinized tissues and supports the integrity of the skin.
– Biotin: It is involved in the synthesis of keratin, the main protein in the cow's hoof. Biotin increases the formation of keratinocytes and improves the structural integrity of the hoof wall, preventing abnormal cracking and wear. Studies have shown that biotin supplementation can improve hoof strength, reduce lameness scores, and accelerate the healing process of injured hooves. Biotin plays a key role in promoting hoof horn growth, improving hoof condition, and preventing hoof deformity.
– Recommended dosage: Available recommendations for biotin supplementation vary widely. Most studies have suggested a range of 10 to 20 mg of biotin per cow per day as an effective dose for improving hoof health. Several studies have highlighted the synergistic effects of biotin with other essential nutrients such as zinc, copper, and methionine, which also play a role in collagen formation and hoof keratinization. Combined biotin supplementation with these minerals has been shown to improve hoof condition and reduce the incidence of lameness. It may take several months to see visible improvements due to the slow growth rate of hoofs. Therefore, long-term use of this supplement is recommended. While biotin supplementation does come with additional costs, the potential reduction in lameness-related losses and veterinary costs may outweigh the investment.
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