The effect of lameness on the resting behavior and metabolic status of dairy cattle during the transition period in a freestall-housed dairy herd

Abstract

The objective of this observational study was to examine the effect of lameness on the resting behavior of dairy cattle through the transition period in a mattress-bedded commercial freestall facility, and explore the relationships between lameness, behavior, and metabolic indicators of disease. A convenience sample was used, comprised of 40 multiparous and 17 primiparous Holstein cows that were recruited as they entered the close-up pen and tracked through the maternity, hospital, and fresh pens. At recruitment, 87.5% of multiparous cows and 23.5% of primiparous cows showed evidence of abnormal gait. Lying time decreased from 16 d before calving from a least squares means ± standard error of 13.5 ± 0.6 h/d to a nadir of 10.6 ± 0.38 h/d on the day of calving. After a period of increased rest after calving, lying time stabilized by d 6 to between 9.8 and 10.8h/d. This change was accompanied by an increase in the number of lying bouts per day from least squares means (95% confidence limits) of 11.2 (10.0 to 12.4) bouts per day to a peak of 17.7 (16.5 to 18.8) bouts per day on the day before calving, and a decrease in the duration of each lying bout. Resting behavior was influenced by calving month, temperature humidity index, body condition, parity, and lameness. Moderate and severely lame cows had significantly longer lying times throughout the transition period before and after calving, but most notable was a dramatic increase in the number of lying bouts observed 3 d before and after calving. In the straw-bedded, loose-housed maternity pen, moderate and severely lame cows had 20.3 (19.1 to 21.5) bouts per day, compared with 15.6 (14.3 to 16.8) bouts per day for nonlame cows. We hypothesized that this alteration in behavior may be associated with hypersensitivity to pain due to lameness. A total of 26.3% of cows tested above a threshold of 1,400 μM β-hydroxybutyrate. Moderate and severely lame cows had a least squares means (95% confidence limits) β-hydroxybutyrate concentration of 1,165 (1,037 to 1,291) μM that was significantly greater than 697 (560 to 834) μM for slightly lame cows and 687 (551 to 824) μM for nonlame cows. In summary, lameness significantly altered the resting behavior of cows during the transition period and was associated with elevated risk for ketosis in the study herd.

Genetic analysis of milk β-hydroxybutyrate and its association with fat-to-protein ratio, body condition score, clinical ketosis, and displaced abomasum in early first lactation of Canadian Holsteins

“…A desirable correlation between milk BHBA and the overall score for feet and legs was also found, which is in agreement with earlier phenotypic studies examining lameness. Calderon and Cook (2011) found that moderate and severely lame cows had a significantly higher blood BHBA concentration than slightly lame or nonlame cows. Similar, Suthar et al (2013) reported that a postpartum blood BHBA threshold of ≥1.1 mmol/L increased the odds for lameness in dairy cows 1.8 times.…”

Effects of rubber flooring during the first 2 lactations on production, locomotion, hoof health, immune functions, and stress

“…Lameness frequently occurs within 60 d after calving (Booth et al, 2004), as the periparturient hormones and nutritional allocations shift and hooves become more susceptible to disease. Indirect problems such as reduced intake, lower milk yield, or reduced conception rates can arise as a consequence of subclinical or clinical lameness (Calderon and Cook, 2011;Alawneh et al, 2012a). Remedies already viewed as good dairy practice include the use of foot baths for infectious conditions, frequent hoof trimming, reducing damp environments, properly fitted stalls, and earlier recognition of problems with the use of technology such as accelerometers (Main et al, 2012).…”

The influence of previous medical treatments on milking order in dairy cows

“…The most common diseases seen in dairy cows are lameness and mastitis, and much is already known about the response of individual cows to clinical treatments for these conditions and the behaviour of sick animals. For example, it is known that the time spent lying down and the number of lying bouts increases when lame cows are compared with non-lame cows (Calderon and Cook, 2011;Navarro et al, 2013). In cows with mastitis, sickness is associated with a reduced lying time, an increased number of steps taken (more walking, less lying), and an increased rate of kicking during milking (Fogsgaard et al, 2015).…”