Area of hock hair loss in dairy cows: Risk factors and correlation with a categorical scale

P.Y Lim,J.N Huxley,M.J Green,A.R Othman,S.L Potterton,C.J Brignell,J Kaler

doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.11.005

P.Y Lim, J.N Huxley + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.11.005

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Abstract

Data from 3691 dairy cows from 76 farms were used to investigate the risk factors associated with the area of hair loss over the lateral aspect of the hock and the correlation between the area of hair loss (as calculated using a hock map) and hock lesion scores determined using a pre-existing categorical scale. Six factors were associated with a greater area of hair loss, including cows with locomotion score 3, a cleanliness score (10/28 to 18/28), high daily milk yield (25.1–58.1 kg), poor body condition score (1–1.5), duration of winter housing (≥41 days) and some combinations of cubicle base and bedding materials.Compared with cows housed in cubicles with a concrete base and whole straw or rape straw bedding, cows housed in cubicles with concrete bases with sand or chopped straw bedding had smaller areas of hair loss and cows housed on a mattress base with whole straw or rape straw bedding had larger areas of hair loss. Area of hair loss, as measured on hock maps, was not significantly different between cows with score 1 (median 23.6 cm2) and score 2 (median 20.3 cm2) on the categorical scale for hock lesions. This suggests that the categorical scale was not reflecting the extent of hair loss and that hock maps are a good alternative for studying the dynamics of hock lesions over time.

Highlights

The aims of this study were to examine the area of hair loss on the lateral aspect of the hock using detailed hock maps of lesion area and to use these data to investigate: (1) the risk factors associated with area of hair loss measured; and (2) the correlation between hair loss measured by area and scores given on a categorical scale
Risk factors associated with area of hair loss on the lateral surface of the hock
Cows housed in cubicles with a concrete base and sand bedding or a concrete base with chopped straw bedding had a significantly smaller area of hair loss; cows housed in cubicles with a mattress base and whole straw or rape straw had a significantly larger area of hair loss compared with cows housed in cubicles with a concrete base and whole straw or rape straw bedding

Summary

Introduction

Hock lesions are commonly seen in housed dairy cows across the world including in the United Kingdom (Whay et al, 2003; Potterton et al, 2011b), Europe (Kielland et al, 2009; Brenninkmeyer et al, 2012), the USA (Fulwider et al, 2007; Lombard et al, 2010) and Canada (Weary and Taszkun, 2000). Hock lesions are associated with an increased risk of lameness (Whay et al, 2003; Kielland et al, 2009; Brenninkmeyer et al, 2012) and injuries at other locations such as the udder and other joints (Sogstad et al, 2006).This suggests that they may be of use as welfare indicators (Whay et al, 2003; Regula et al, 2004)

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