Authors : Gilberto Lopez Valencia , Tomas B. Renteria Evangelista , Alejandro Plascencia Jorquera , Lourdes Pujol Manriquez , Miguel A. Montano Hodgers , Gerardo Medina Basulto , . Salome Saucedo Quintero , Alfonso de la Mora Valle and L. Mario Munoz del Real
Abstract: In order to determine the frequency and distribution of lesions and/or diseases associated with lameness problems in commercial dairy herds with Holstein cows, in Baja California, Mexico, a two stage transverse epidemiological study was carried out in 592 milking cows with frequent lameness. During the first stage, a locomotion scoring method (LS), index that measures the cow�s capacity to walk was used. Cows were observed during milking assigning to each a score of 1 to 5, where LS1 represents a normal cow and LS5 represents cases of severe lameness. Results gave a 17.5% frequency of evident and severe lameness. During the second stage of this study, 37.5% (39/104) of the cows that had these scores (LS4 and LS5) were randomly selected and carefully inspected in order to detect and classify severe pathologies. In total, 89 lesions were detected; of these, 36% were linked to white line disease; 27% to double sole; 15.7% to corkscrew claw; 6.8% to fissures (vertical and horizontal); the remaining lesions (14.5%) were associated with abscess and talon ulcer cases, as well as digital and interdigital dermatitis. In conclusion, the high frequency of white line disease and double sole in the region may be mainly associated to two factors: diet formula and the lack of a routine preventive hoof trimming program.
Gilberto Lopez Valencia , Tomas B. Renteria Evangelista , Alejandro Plascencia Jorquera , Lourdes Pujol Manriquez , Miguel A. Montano Hodgers , Gerardo Medina Basulto , . Salome Saucedo Quintero , Alfonso de la Mora Valle and L. Mario Munoz del Real , 2006. Frequency and Distribution of Pathologies Associated with Lameness Problems in Commercial Dairy Herds in Baja California, Mexico. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 593-597.