Study on Prevalence of Dairy Cattle Lameness in Shahrekord District, Iran

Lameness is one of the most important threats in dairy industry that cause major problems by consuming time and making expenses for dairy farmers 1, 2. Lameness has the third position among economically important problems of dairy farming and located after mastitis and reproductive problems, however in developing countries probably nutritional and infectious problems are also preceding lameness 10. Dairy cattle industry lost are the result of direct expenses like veterinary costs, time, reduced milk production, discarding of milk after antibiotic medications, decrease of body condition and indirect expenses like increase of culling, decrease of reproductive performance, increase open days and increase the risk of mastitis 3, 5, 9.
Although lameness make intensive pain and discomfort for the animal but its importance do not appear as it is in dairy industry 11, as it showed reverse correlation between the true prevalence or incidence of lameness and knowledge of the dairy farmers about lameness 7, 8. In a study, dairy farmer’s estimation of lameness was 17% less than its scientific estimation 12.
Both infectious and non infectious reasons are major causes of lameness that shows great difference around the world. Digital dermatitis as an infectious disease of cattle ...