How do different members of the on‐farm mobility team perceive lameness, and what factors influence their NSAID use?

Abstract

BackgroundLameness affects approximately one‐third of the national dairy herd, impacting welfare and production. Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the main analgesic available, but use is variable. The aims of this study were to describe how members of the mobility team perceive pain and use NSAIDs for conditions causing lameness in dairy cows.MethodsA questionnaire was distributed online to UK farmers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians (VTs) and foot trimmers (FTs). Respondents were asked to describe factors affecting their NSAID use and to score pain associated with 16 scenarios, including diagnoses, conditions and procedures associated with lameness in cows.ResultsOf 210 respondents, 81 (38.6%) were farmers, 80 (38.1%) were veterinarians, 34 (16.2%) were FTs and 15 (7.1%) were VTs. For most conditions, farmers scored pain lower than veterinarians and VTs and were less likely to use or recommend NSAIDs than veterinarians, VTs and FTs. Farmers rated cow comfort as more important (p < 0.001) and the cost of drugs as less important (p < 0.001) in using NSAIDs than veterinarians predicted.LimitationsThere were fewer VTs and FTs than farmers and veterinarians, limiting generalisation. Response and social acceptability biases may have affected the findings.ConclusionAll members of the mobility team have different perceptions and areas of expertise around lameness. Increasing collaboration and harnessing of skills and knowledge within the team could improve detection and treatment of lameness, with consequent benefits to cow welfare and production.

Understanding the factors influencing on‐farm mobility team members' use of pain relief in lame dairy cows

“…The farmers in Craven and colleagues' study consistently scored a range of lamenessrelated scenarios as less painful than vets, foot trimmers and veterinary technicians did, with attitudes towards the benefits of NSAIDs in each scenario mirroring pain scores. 7 However, the results provoke some interesting considerations surrounding the use of NSAIDs in milder cases of lameness and their perceived benefit.…”

“…Despite mobility scoring being a vital part of lameness management due to the role it plays in the early detection and prompt, effective treatment (EDPET) 16 of new cases, it is disappointing that Craven and colleagues 7 report that only around one-third of farmers were mobility scoring at less than quarterly intervals. This is despite evidence indicating that fortnightly mobility scoring improves treatment outcomes.…”

“…However, the comparatively low pain scores attributed to cows with an AHDB mobility score of 2 and those with early stages of claw horn lesions (eg, sole bruising and white line bruising) lead to the conclusion that the perceived benefit of treating these cases with NSAIDs is much lower due to the reduced visual impact to the farmer. 7 This is despite a growing evidence base that it is the early, milder cases of lameness that are likely to benefit most from NSAIDs being incorporated into their treatment protocols. [18][19][20] The authors conclude by highlighting the additional role that foot trimmers and veterinary technicians can play in helping to communicate the benefits of NSAID use, especially when incorporated into EDPET protocols.…”