Randomized clinical trial evaluating the effect of bandaging on the healing of sole ulcers in dairy cattle

Klawitter, Marcus; Braden, Theo Broderick; Müller, Kerstin

doi:10.1016/j.vas.2019.100070

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Studies that have assessed the healing rate of sole lesions following different treatment protocols monitored lesion outcomes at multiple timepoints ( Lischer et al, 2002a ; Thomas et al, 2015 ; Klawitter et al, 2019 ). We recognize that this would be a more robust approach to judge the recovery of sole lesions than a single follow-up assessment, but our priority was to use our available resources to maximize the number of enrolled animals and allow the estimation of genetic parameters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Treatment success can be determined by visual assessment of lesion healing or the resolution of visible lameness; both are reported to have similar time frames. Approximately 60 to 70% of uncomplicated sole ulcers were covered in a layer of new horn after 4 wk ( Van Amstel et al, 2003 ; Klawitter et al, 2019 ). With prompt and effective treatment, more than 75% of cows with sole lesions were no longer lame after 35 d ( Thomas et al, 2015 ), although this was only true for 15% of cows that were chronically lame when treated ( Thomas et al, 2016 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic parameters of sole lesion recovery in Holstein cows

Barden

Anagnostopoulos

Griffiths

et al. 2023

Journal of Dairy Science

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Sole hemorrhage and sole ulcers, referred to as sole lesions, are important causes of lameness in dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of a novel trait reflecting how well cows recovered from sole lesions and the genetic correlation of this trait with overall susceptibility to sole lesions. A cohort of Holstein dairy cows was prospectively enrolled on 4 farms and assessed at 4 timepoints: before calving, immediately after calving, in early lactation, and in late lactation. At each timepoint, sole lesions were recorded at the claw level by veterinary surgeons and used to define 2 binary traits: (1) susceptibility to sole lesions—whether animals were affected with sole lesions at least once during the study or were unaffected at every assessment, and (2) sole lesion recovery—whether sole lesions healed between early and late lactation. Animals were genotyped and pedigree details extracted from the national database. Analyses were conducted with BLUPF90 software in a single-step framework; genetic parameters were estimated from animal threshold models using Gibbs sampling. The genetic correlation between both traits was approximated as the correlation between genomic estimated breeding values, adjusting for their reliabilities. A total of 2,025 animals were used to estimate the genetic parameters of sole lesion susceptibility; 44% of animals recorded a sole lesion at least once during the study period. The heritability of sole lesion susceptibility, on the liability scale, was 0.25 (95% highest density interval = 0.16–0.34). A total of 498 animals were used to estimate the genetic parameters of sole lesion recovery; 71% of animals had recovered between the early and late lactation assessments. The heritability of sole lesion recovery, on the liability scale, was 0.27 (95% highest density interval = 0.02–0.52). The approximate genetic correlation between each trait was −0.11 (95% confidence interval = −0.20 to −0.02). Our results indicate that recovery from sole lesions is heritable. If this finding is corroborated in further studies, it may be possible to use selective breeding to reduce the frequency of chronically lame cows. As sole lesion recovery appears to be weakly genetically related to sole lesion susceptibility, successful genetic improvement of sole lesion recovery would benefit from selection on this trait directly.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic parameters of sole lesion recovery in Holstein cows

Barden

Anagnostopoulos

Griffiths

et al. 2023

Journal of Dairy Science

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“…Klawitter et al [ 63 ] reported that the use of topical treatment and applying a bandage to M2 digital dermatitis lesions for four weeks, changing the bandage on a weekly basis, increased the cure rate compared to lesions that only received the topical treatment. In contrast, a recent study reported that sole ulcers were less likely to heal following treatment when a bandage was applied [ 64 ]. However, a bandage may be beneficial for severe cases when the corium is considerably exposed or when the lesion is excessively bleeding [ 65 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lameness prevalence and management practices on Irish pasture-based dairy farms

et al. 2022

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Background Lameness is a painful disease, which negatively impacts dairy cow production and welfare. The aim of this observational study was to determine herd lameness prevalence, describe current lameness management practices and identify the presence of established risk factors for lameness on Irish pasture-based dairy farms. Farms were visited once during grazing (99 farms) and again during housing (85 farms). Lameness scoring was carried out at each visit (AHDB 0–3 scale); cows were classified as lame if they scored two or three. Farm management practices and infrastructure characteristics were evaluated via farmer questionnaires and direct measurements of farm infrastructure. Results Median herd-level lameness prevalence was 7.9% (interquartile range = 5.6 – 13.0) during grazing and 9.1% (interquartile range = 4.9 – 12.0) during housing; 10.9% of cows were lame at a single visit and 3.5% were lame at both visits (chronically lame or had a repeat episode of lameness). Fifty-seven percent of farmers were not familiar with lameness scoring and only one farm carried out lameness scoring. Only 22% of farmers kept records of lame cows detected, and 15% had a lameness herd health plan. Twenty-eight percent of farmers waited more than 48 h to treat a lame cow, and 21% waited for more than one cow to be identified as lame before treating. Six percent of farmers carried out routine trimming and 31% regularly footbathed (> 12 times per year). Twelve percent put severely lame cows in a closer paddock and 8% stated that they used pain relief to treat severely lame cows. Over 50% of farms had at least one cow track measurement that was classified as rough or very rough, and cow tracks were commonly narrow for the herd size. On 6% of farms, all cubicle beds were bare concrete (no matting or bedding) and on a further 6% of farms, there was a combination of cubicles with and without matting or bedding. On 56% of farms, all pens contained less than 1.1 cubicles per cow and on 28% of farms, a proportion of pens contained less than 1.1 cubicles per cow. Conclusions Overall, this study identified infrastructure and management practices which could be improved upon. The comparatively low lameness prevalence demonstrated, compared to fully housed systems, also highlights the benefits of a pasture-based system for animal welfare; however, there remains scope for improvement.

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“…This means the bandage should be applied correctly and changed at least in 3 days or preferably earlier, especially if it gets wet (Shearer et al, 2015). In a study by Klawitter et al (2019) sole ulcers healed faster when only therapeutic trim, wooden claw block and iodine ointment were used and no bandage was applied. When the bandage is applied to protect claw lesion that are almost completely healed, it may exceptionally be removed after 5 days, given it stays dry.…”

Section: Therapeutic Approach To Claw Horn Lesionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of guidelines for functional claw trimming and therapeutic approach to claw horn lesions in cattle

Vidmar

Hodnik

Starič

2021

Trop Anim Health Prod

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Lameness is one of the most pressing health and welfare problems in cattle, especially on dairy farms. The most common cause of lameness is claw pathology, often due to lack of appropriate functional claw trimming. Functional claw trimming restores the physiological shape of the claws, distributes weight properly between the claws and over the claw weight-bearing surface. It also allows closer examination of the claws for early signs of pathology. The methods of functional claw trimming described in the previous century are still applicable today, considering some recent findings on the subject. It is essential not to over-trim the claws and to maintain strict hygiene of the trimming tools. Claw horn pathology in the early stages is usually treated effectively by therapeutic claw trimming alone. The stoic nature of cattle and their natural tendency to hide pain often result in delayed treatment of claw diseases, leading to more advanced stages of disease/pathology associated with higher-grade lameness. This situation often leads to the development of neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia requiring multimodal treatment. Because claw horn diseases are multifactorial, veterinarians and others involved in animal management must be familiar with the preventive measures available to improve claw health in a cattle herd. Further research to improve claw horn quality and effectively control/prevent claw infections without polluting the environment or negatively affecting worker and animal health is still needed. This article reviews the latest knowledge on functional claw trimming and treatment of the most common claw horn diseases in cattle.

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Randomized clinical trial evaluating the effect of bandaging on the healing of sole ulcers in dairy cattle

Abstract: Highlights Sole ulcer (SU) is a common claw disease in dairy cattle, where the effect of bandaging is still questionable. Non-bandaged SU were more likely to heal than bandaged SU. Wound size of SU had a significant effect on locomotion, whereas bandaging had no effect.

Cited by 11 publications

References 31 publications

Genetic parameters of sole lesion recovery in Holstein cows

Genetic parameters of sole lesion recovery in Holstein cows

Lameness prevalence and management practices on Irish pasture-based dairy farms

Review of guidelines for functional claw trimming and therapeutic approach to claw horn lesions in cattle

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