A systematic review and meta-analyses of risk factors associated with lameness in dairy cows

Abstract

Background Lameness in dairy cows has been an ongoing concern of great relevance to animal welfare and productivity in modern dairy production. Many studies have examined associations between various factors related to housing, management, and the individual animal and the occurrence of lameness. The objective of this systematic review was to answer the research question “what are risk factors associated with lameness in dairy cows that are housed in free stall barns or tie stall facilities”. Furthermore, we performed a synthesis of current evidence on certain risk factors by means of a meta-analysis to illustrate the strength of their association with bovine lameness. Results Following pre-defined procedures and inclusion criteria in accordance with the PRISMA statement, two observers independently included 53 articles out of a pool of 1941 articles which had been retrieved by a broad literature research in a first step. 128 factors that have been associated with lameness were identified in those papers. Meta-analyses were conducted for five factors presented in six different studies: Body condition score, presence of claw overgrowth, days in milk, herd size, and parity. Results indicated that a body condition score of ≤2.5/5 is associated with increased odds of lameness. A higher risk of being lame was found for the presence of claw overgrowth, the first 120 days in milk, larger herd sizes, and increasing parity. Throughout the study, we encountered profound difficulties in retrieving data and information of sufficient quality from primary articles as well as in recovering comparable studies. Conclusions We learned that an abundance of literature on bovine lameness exists. To adequately address a problem of this importance to both animal welfare and economic viability, solid evidence is required in the future to develop effective intervention strategies. Therefore, a consistent working definition of lameness and specific risk factors should be an option to consider.

Impact of Nutrients on the Hoof Health in Cattle

“…It is mainly at the forefront, due to the increasing prevalence and because no other common dairy disease is associated with such visible symptoms of pain [ 9 , 27 , 60 , 64 ], which may be of a long-term nature. Thus, in addition to adverse effects on production, lameness is associated with pain [ 6 , 11 , 22 , 25 , 26 , 31 , 32 , 36 , 40 , 46 , 55 , 60 , 65 , 66 , 67 ] and anxiety [ 60 ]. In this case, the dairy cow cannot exhibit natural behavior [ 6 , 40 , 55 , 63 , 68 ].…”

“…Most of the factors that lead to the culling of dairy cows are related to health (mastitis, lameness, and reduced fertility) and low production [ 66 , 69 ]. Risk factors that considerably impact limb disease include management [ 1 , 9 , 14 , 38 , 41 , 62 , 70 , 71 ], which plays a significant role in the prevention of lameness, especially nutrition management, and the environment [ 1 , 6 , 8 , 9 , 14 , 22 , 25 , 27 , 30 , 35 , 36 , 41 , 58 , 61 , 62 , 71 ], genetics [ 4 , 8 , 14 , 62 , 71 ], and various breeding conditions and technologies [ 7 , 22 , 62 ].…”

“…Lameness is described as a clinical symptom, which is recognizable by a change in locomotion, usually associated with lesions of the pelvic limbs. More than 90% of diagnosed lesions affect the distal part of the limb [ 11 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]; however, the resulting lesions are not only a welfare problem, but they also affect production and profit [ 8 , 14 , 15 , 19 , 21 , 22 ]. Dairy cows that are affected by limb diseases have lower dry matter intake and milk yield [ 3 , 4 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 14 , 16 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], reduced fertility [ 3 , 4 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], and they have an increased risk of culling [ 3 , 4 , 11 , 14 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , ...…”

“…Lameness of dairy cows is, along with mastitis and reproduction, the third most expensive disease to treat [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 15 , 16 , 20 , 22 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 31 , 32 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. The study by Kaniyamattam et al [ 39 ] reports lameness is second only to mastitis [ 39 ].…”

Factors Associated With Lameness in Tie Stall Housed Dairy Cows in South Germany

“…Painful disorders impair the natural behavior of affected animals (16)(17)(18)(19). Lameness is multifactorial by origin with housing conditions, onfarm management practices, and the individual animal having the greatest impact (20,21).…”