Sonographic imaging of digital fat cushions during the first three lactations of dairy cows

Objective

Hoof diseases are a common cause of economic losses on dairy farms. They are a reason for decreased performance, high veterinary costs, or even culling of animals (1-3). By early diagnosis of pathologic changes, it is possible to improve hoof health and ultimately animal welfare of dairy cows (4). In this context, sonography as a diagnostic method shall be tested.

Emphasis is placed on the examination of the subcutaneous digital fatty cushions. This tissue is subjected to changes in terms of thickness during a single lactation (5). The objective of this investigation is to analyze the dynamics of thickness in digital cushions over a period of three lactations. Furthermore, correlations between fat body thickness, body condition and changes in blood values will be investigated as well as the relation of these measurements with pathologic changes causative of hoof diseases. A secondary aspect and experimental part of the study is the preparation of hooves for histological sections. [...]