Hock lesions in dairy cows in freestall herds: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and risk factors

Abstract

BackgroundHock lesions (HL) in dairy cows are a common animal welfare problem in modern dairy production with freestall housing systems, but there are no large-scale studies addressing its epidemiology in Sweden. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to investigate the prevalence of HL of different severity in 100 Swedish freestall dairy herds, and to identify cow- and herd-related risk factors. Associations between HL and mastitis as well as culling were also investigated.ResultsIn total, 3217 cows from 99 herds were included in the statistical analyses. The overall cow prevalence of hair loss on the hock (mild HL) was 68% and the prevalence of ulceration or evident swelling of the hock, with or without hair loss, (severe HL) was 6%. The within-herd prevalence varied among herds, between 23 and 100% for mild HL, and between 0 and 32% for severe ones. Breed (higher risk for Swedish Holstein than for Swedish Red) and days in milk (higher risk at 181–305 days than at 0–90 days) were cow-related risk factors associated with both types of lesions, whereas higher parity and cleaner cows were associated only with increased risk of severe HL. A reduced risk for mild HL was seen in cows housed on mattresses compared to rubber mats, and in cows housed on peat compared to other bedding materials. Also, cows in herds with a high proportion of not yet inseminated heifers older than 17 months had a lower risk of mild HL than cows in herds with a low proportion. Risk for severe HL was lower when cubicles were of recommended width compared to under recommendation, for organic production compared to conventional, and when teat dip or no treatment after milking was used, compared to teat spray. For both mild and severe HL, herringbone milking parlors were associated with higher risk than tandem parlors. We found no significant associations between HL and mastitis or culling.ConclusionsThe prevalence of HL is high in Swedish dairy herds, although most lesions are mild. Several cow- and herd-related risk factors were identified and the results can be used to improve recommendations for the prevention of HL in Swedish freestall dairy herds.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13028-018-0401-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A systematic approach to analyse the impact of farm-profiles on bovine health

“…This is particularly the case for milking-system-related risk factors. We only found one study 45 that linked herringbone milking parlors to a higher risk of hock lesion, a sign of lameness, than tandem parlors, which is consistent with our findings on lameness risk variables (see “ Supplement ”).…”

Recycled manure solids as a bedding material: Udder health, cleanliness and integument alterations of dairy cows in mattress stalls

“…Hock lesions are a common welfare problem on mattress-based stalls and their prevalence is high also in other Nordic countries, for example in Norway (prevalence of mild lesions 53%; Kielland et al 2009) and in Sweden (prevalence of mild lesions 68%; Ekman et al 2018). As in our study, others have reported that prevalence of integument alterations increases with increasing parity (Potterton et al 2011, Ekman et al 2018.…”

“…concrete, rubber matt or mattress) was used as an independent variable in their study. On the other hand, research using peat bedding reports that it reduces the risk for mild hock lesions compared to other common organic bedding materials, such as straw and sawdust (Ekman et al 2018). Regardless, it is evident that integument alterations have a high prevalence in mattress stalls, at least compared to deep-bedded stalls (Lombard et al 2010, Potterton et al 2011, and thus, it makes the comparison of our results to other published research challenging.…”

Prevalence of hock, knee, and neck skin lesions and associated risk factors in dairy herds in the Maritime Provinces of Canada

“…Although focused on hock lesions only, a recent study in Sweden also found higher odds of lesions when herringbone parlors were used compared with tandem parlors. This was believed to be due to the flow of cows through the parlor, as tandem parlors allowed for cows to enter and exit individually (Ekman et al, 2018). Although no tandem parlors were present in the current study, the flow of cattle through the parlor could be an important factor.…”