Effect of Lameness Treatment on Pain and Milk Production in Dairy Cattle

Pain experienced by lame cows is a serious welfare concern. This study investigates the effectiveness of NSAID therapy or application of foot blocks to lame dairy cows as part of their lameness treatment on pain alleviation and milk production. Pain was assessed using daily activity level monitors and a 5- point locomotion scoring system. Daily milk yields were recorded to investigate the economic aspect of each treatment. A total of 270 lameness treatments were carried out over a 7-month period. Foot lesions were classified as either acute digital skin lesions or chronic claw horn lesions. Acute lesions were randomly assigned to NSAID/ no NSAID, while chronic lesions were randomly assigned to NSAID/ block/ no further treatment. The effect of treatments on activity levels, locomotion scores and milk yields were investigated. The results indicated complex interactions between the foot lesions presented, and the treatments administered ...