Association of Lameness with Body Condition Score, Udder Health and Milk Quality in Sahiwal Dairy Cows

Abstract

Background: Bovine lameness predominantly due to foot disorders is a severe herd health concern instigating substantial influence on dairy economics owing to increased odds of mastitis and reduced fertility. Timely diagnosis and treatment of lameness can save these economic losses. The current study was aimed to evaluate lameness and its effect on animal health in terms of body condition score and on udder health in Sahiwal cows. Methods: 204 lactating Sahiwal dairy cows in different lactation lengths and parities, from local Sahiwal farms in Punjab were evaluated for lameness. Cows were scored for body condition and lameness. Quarter foremilk used to determine the quarter health status of the cows by California mastitis test (CMT) and bacteriological culture and cow composite milk samples for estimation of somatic cell count (SCC), electrical conductivity, pH and milk composition, in terms of fat, solids not fat, protein and lactose were collected maintaining aseptic conditions. Result: 34 per cent had asymmetry in gait or mild lame, 5 per cent had moderate lameness and 1 per cent had severe lameness. Lameness had no significant effect on the body condition scores of Sahiwal cows. Subclinical mastitis was found in 40.2 per cent of Sahiwal dairy cows. It was concluded that incidence of mastitis was higher in the lame group as revealed by CMT and bacteriological culture and the lame group had significantly (P less than 0.05) more SCC and electrical conductivity than healthy cows. However, milk composition was not affected by lameness.