Abstract
Simple SummaryLameness is a major welfare issue in dairy cows. Locomotion scoring (LS) is mostly used in identifying lame cows based on gait and postural changes. However, lameness shares some important associations with body condition, hock condition, leg hygiene and behavioral changes such as lying behavior. These measures are considered animal-based indicators in assessing welfare in dairy cows. This review discusses lameness as a welfare problem, the use of LS, and the relationship with the aforementioned welfare assessment protocols. Such information could be useful in depicting the impact on cow welfare as well as in reducing the occurrence of lameness in dairy herds.Dairy cow welfare is an important consideration for optimal production in the dairy industry. Lameness affects the welfare of dairy herds by limiting productivity. Whilst the application of LS systems helps in identifying lame cows, the technique meets with certain constraints, ranging from the detection of mild gait changes to on-farm practical applications. Recent studies have shown that certain animal-based measures considered in welfare assessment, such as body condition, hock condition and leg hygiene, are associated with lameness in dairy cows. Furthermore, behavioural changes inherent in lame cows, especially the comfort in resting and lying down, have been shown to be vital indicators of cow welfare. Highlighting the relationship between lameness and these welfare indicators could assist in better understanding their role, either as risk factors or as consequences of lameness. Nevertheless, since the conditions predisposing a cow to lameness are multifaceted, it is vital to cite the factors that could influence the on-farm practical application of such welfare indicators in lameness studies. This review begins with the welfare consequences of lameness by comparing normal and abnormal gait as well as the use of LS system in detecting lame cows. Animal-based measures related to cow welfare and links with changes in locomotion as employed in lameness research are discussed. Finally, alterations in lying behaviour are also presented as indicators of lameness with the corresponding welfare implication in lame cows.
Highlights
Intensive farming systems are common practice to meet the increasing demand for milk in different parts of the world
European dairy cows affected with subclinical ketosis were reported to have increased odds of lameness [73]
317 farms in Prevalence of hock lesions and lameness based on ached back and rotation of hind claw were 44%, 3.2% and 23%, respectively
Summary
Intensive farming systems are common practice to meet the increasing demand for milk in different parts of the world. This has led to the introduction of dairy cows to an environment arbitrarily different from the cows’ natural habitat, thereby triggering a range of welfare consequences. An animal is said to be in good welfare when it is able to express its innate behavior, free from distress and fear, in the absence of pain, and in good health [1] These fundamentals of optimal welfare are often lacking with the advent of confining cows and persistent demands for high milk yield. Factors that could influence the practical application of these measures as indicators of lameness and welfare were discussed
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