Lameness control in a UK dairy goat herd

Abstract

This case study documents a lameness control strategy in a commercial dairy goat herd with treponeme-associated non-healing white line disease (nhWLD). A similar control strategy to nhWLD in cattle was used, focusing on reducing environmental infection pressure of treponemes and culling of cases unresponsive to treatment. This case study highlights the importance of regular and accurate lameness scoring, correct lesion categorisation, and critical decision making on treatment versus culling. Over the 12 month intervention period lameness prevalence reduced from 45% to 15%. Treatment response of existing nhWLD was poor, but prevention of new cases was good. A total of 27% of the lactating herd were culled due to lameness, however total herd yield dropped by less than 1% despite nutritional management remaining broadly the same, demonstrating the wider benefits of culling in terms of farm productivity and efficiency.