The effect of a first occurrence of digital dermatitis in early lactation on risk of culling and time-to-pregnancy in lactating dairy cows

Abstract

Digital dermatitis (DD) is one of the most prevalent types of hoof lesion reported in dairy cows. This higher prevalence in dairy herds is consequential, as DD can not only lead be painful and lead to lameness in severe instance, but DD has also been found to have a negative long-term impact on reproductive per­formance and longevity. However, the impact of a first instance of DD in cows with no previous lesion history on these negative outcomes is largely unknown, as most previous studies do not account or the impact of lesion chronicity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a first occurrence of DD in the first 60 days in milk (DIM) in cows with no previous record­ed instance of DD on risk of culling and time-to-pregnancy in the first 180 DIM in dairy cows.