Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hoof lesions in Dairy Cows in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence of hoof lesions, their relationship with lameness, and associated risk factors in dairy cows in Peninsular Malaysia. Hoof lesion data were recorded after hoof examination on 1,051 cows from 29 dairy farms in 4 states (Selangor, Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Perak) from December 2018 to June 2020. Animal-based welfare measures were documented for individual cows, whereas information on management and environmental-based factors were obtained through on-farm assessment and farmers’ interview. Multivariable models were built to assess, 1) association between hoof lesion-related factors and lameness prevalence, and 2) cow and farm-level factors for 3 most prevalent (sole ulcers; SU, sole haemorrhage; SH, and white line disease; WL) and infectious hoof lesions (digital dermatitis; DD, heel erosion and swelling of coronet; SW). A total of 903 hoof lesions were recorded in 486 cows (46.2%; CI 33.3-63.3%). Of these, 72.3% of the cows affected with lesions were lame. A higher percentage of the lesions were present on the rear feet (73.4%), 51% of the cows had more than a single lesion, and majority of the lesions were non-infectious types (79.0%). SU was the predominant lesion (23%) followed by WL (16.1%), SH (8.5%), SW (7.8%), toe ulcer (6.9%) and DD (6.4%). Lameness prevalence was higher in cows having either multiple or severe lesions, and presence of only non-infectious or both lesion types. Cows at greater parity had higher odds of SU, while presence of overgrown hoof increased the odds of SU and SH. Underconditioned cows (≤2.5) had higher odds of SH and WL. At herd level, factors associated with SU were milking at resting ban, longer time spent on pasture, and presence of concrete walkways. Farms with concrete floors at milking parlour and improper feed bunk height had higher odds of SH, having a single source of replacement cows increased the prevalence of WL, while the odds of both lesions were higher in farms without routine hoof trimming. Infectious hoof lesions were associated with poor leg hygiene, longer time spent on pasture, and having concrete floor at resting barn. This is the first study to describe the distribution of hoof lesions and their role as causes of lameness in dairy farms in Peninsular Malaysia. The findings could assist dairy farmers to make informed decisions on the management strategies of specific hoof lesions responsible for lameness in the studied herds.