Journal articles on the topic 'Lamb Locomotion'
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1
Schwartzkopf-Genswein, Karen, Wiolene Montanari Nordi, Desiree Gellatly, Daniela M. Meléndez, Timothy Schwinghamer, Sonia Marti, Kelly Anklam, Joyce Van Donkersgoed, Kathy Parker, and Dorte Dopfer. "PSIII-14 Infrared thermography as a tool to detect inflammation in feedlot lambs with footrot." Journal of Animal Science 97, Supplement_3 (December 2019): 185–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz258.383.
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Abstract Infrared thermography (IRT) has been used as a non-invasive tool to detect inflammatory processes associated with disease in livestock. The aim of this study was to evaluate IRT as a tool to compare healthy and footrot (FR) affected hooves in feedlot lambs with varying degrees of lameness over two seasons. A total of 106 lame lambs with footrot from a feedlot in Alberta were individually categorized according to a 3-point locomotion scale [1 = mild (n = 7), 2 = moderate (n = 46) and 3 = severe lameness (n = 53)] during the summer (n = 39) and fall (n = 68) of 2018. All lambs were physically examined once by two experienced observers to determine if the lamb had footrot. IRT images of the interdigital space were used to obtain the maximum hoof temperature (MHT) of both FR affected as well as healthy (CT) hooves within the same animal. Generalized linear mixed models (SAS PROC GLIMMIX) were performed separately for each season and diagnosis and included locomotion score as a fixed effect and ambient temperature as a co-variate. Predicted means were compared using the limits at 95% of confidence. Overall, greater MHT (P < 0.05) were observed for FR affected compared to unaffected hooves for lambs categorized as moderately and severely lame, within each season. However, no differences (P > 0.05) in MHT were observed for lambs categorized as mildly lame, likely due to the small number of lambs having a locomotion score of 1. Under the conditions of this study, thermal images can be effectively used as a tool to distinguish footrot affected hooves in feedlot lambs with moderate and severe lameness. Further studies should be conducted with more lambs with a locomotion score of 1 to assess the relationship between mild lameness, IRT, and footrot diagnosis.
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Lu, Jinsheng, Qiang Li, Cheng-Wei Qiu, Yu Hong, Pintu Ghosh, and Min Qiu. "Nanoscale Lamb wave–driven motors in nonliquid environments." Science Advances 5, no. 3 (March 2019): eaau8271. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aau8271.
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Achieving light-driven motions in nonliquid environments presents formidable challenges, because microsized objects experience strong dry adhesion and intend to be stuck to contact surfaces with great tenacity. Here, in air and vacuum, we show rotary locomotion of a micrometer-sized metal plate with ~30 nm thickness, revolving around a microfiber. This motor is powered by pulsed light guided into the fiber as a coordinated consequence of an optically excited Lamb wave on the plate and favorable configuration of plate-fiber geometry. The motor, actuated by designed light pulses, crawls stepwise with subnanometer locomotion resolution. Furthermore, we can control the rotation velocity and step resolution by varying the repetition rate and pulse power, respectively. A light-actuated micromirror scanning with 0.001° resolution is then demonstrated on the basis of this motor. It offers unprecedented application potential for integrated micro-opto-electromechanical systems, outer-space all-optical precision mechanics and controls, and laser scanning for miniature lidar systems.
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Álvarez-Rodríguez, J., A. Sanz, M. Joy, S. Carrasco, G. Ripoll, and A. Teixeira. "Development of organs and tissues in lambs raised on Spanish mountain grassland." Canadian Journal of Animal Science 89, no. 1 (March 1, 2009): 37–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjas08064.
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The present study was conducted to establish the pattern of body development in grass-raised Churra Tensina lambs. Forty-nine single male lambs were slaughtered at three body-weight intervals, according to the commercial categories of suckling (11.1 ± 1.0 kg), light (22.1 ± 0.8 kg) and heavy lamb (32.0 ± 2.9 kg). Non-carcass and carcass components were recorded and the half left carcasses were completely dissected. Lambs showed a low growth rate of main organs in relation to empty body weight (BW) (P < 0.01). Skin+ fleece and liver accompanied the rest of mass growth (P > 0.05). The allometric coefficients of forestomachs and large intestine were higher than that of the small intestine (P < 0.05). Joints related to locomotion had early development (P < 0.01), whereas those belonging to the trunk grew at faster rates than did carcass weight (P < 0.01). The fatty tissues had increased growth coefficients (P < 0.01), whereas bone and lean coefficients decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing carcass weight. Intermuscular fat attained greater growth rates in lambs slaughtered at light BW than in heavy lambs (P < 0.01). However, the former group displayed lower relative growth of pelvic-renal, subcutaneous and abdominal fat than the latter (P < 0.01). This trait might reflect improved investment of dietary energy towards deposition of adipose tissue through the increased digestive tract capacity. Key words: Sheep, carcass, non-carcass, tissues, fat depots, allometric growth
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Fonteque, Joandes Henrique, Anderson Fernando De Souza, Thiago Rinaldi Muller, Ronaldo Paiva Moreno Gonçalves, Milena Carol Sbrussi Granella, Rubens Peres Mendes, and Jackson Schade. "Congenital Cervical Vertebral Malformation in Lambs." Acta Scientiae Veterinariae 46 (March 21, 2018): 5. http://dx.doi.org/10.22456/1679-9216.86287.
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Background: The occurrence of congenital defects in the sheep is estimated to be between 0.2% and 2%. For congenital anatomical alterations, diagnostic imaging allows objective understanding and evaluation, and is a great aid in the formulation of clinical decisions. Most of these anomalies are diagnosed by radiography; but computed tomography (CT) can provide important additional information. In the current literature there are no descriptions of the use of radiography andCT for a more detailed evaluation of the anatomical structures in cases of congenital cervical malformations in lambs. The objective of this study is to report the clinical, radiographic and tomographic findings in two cases of congenital cervical vertebral malformation in lambs.Cases: Two lambs with cervical morphological alterations since birth were attended. A 4-month-old mixed-breed lamb, weighing 11 kg, with lateroventrocaudal deviation of the neck was observed to the right side, not yielding to the attempt of repositioning. The owner reported that these changes were identified since birth, leading to difficulties in suckling colostrum, necessitating artificial feeding. With the growth of the animal, worsening of the cervical deviation resulted in the impossibility of grazing. The radiographs of the cervical spine identified marked scoliosis, and the axis presented small dimensions and morphological changes with a slight loss of atlantoaxial articular relationship. Spondylopathies were detectedalong the cervical spine. Other lamb of the Lacaune breed, weighing 4.2 kg, was presented shortly after birth with changes in the shape and posture of the neck, difficult locomotion and in sternal decubitus. The owner reported that the lamb came from a twin eutocic birth, with the other lamb being apparently normal. The animal was unable to ingest the colostrum, in which the sheep was milked and colostrum was offered through a bottle. Lateroventrocaudal deviation of the neck to the left side did not yield to the repositioning attempt, the mandible also presented left lateral deviation. The radiographs of the cervical spine showed morphological changes in atlas, and it was not possible to delimit its wings; itwas also observed that the dorsal blade was parallel to the spinal process of the axis. The presence of a hypoattenuating linear left lateral image of the dorsal arch and a right ventro-lateral aspect of the atlas body was identified with slightly irregular and sclerotic margins, suggesting fracture lines. The body of the axis presented a conformational alteration withirregular contours and a large free fragment in the cranial aspect, suggestive of being the odontoid process, with rotation and deviation to the left in relation to the atlas. The right lateral cranial articular process of the third cervical vertebra (C3) presented a conformational change and important lateral rotation of the axis. Mild stenosis of the medullary canal was observed in the segment adjacent to C3. The euthanasia was recommended.Discussion: Congenital cervical malformations in sheep are rare in the literature and may lead to serious decrease in the quality of life of the animals. Computed tomography was superior to radiography in morphological evaluation in cases of congenital cervical malformations in sheep. However, both diagnostic methods were important to establish the best clinical behavior. The etiology of most congenital malformations is unknown, simply because of the complexity of the mechanismsthat lead to the formation of an abnormality. The isolated episodes of this anomaly, in the herd without previous alterations, suggest a non-infectious cause, probably similar among the cases, but not established. The information presented can be used to validate clinical reasoning in future cases similar to those described, where imaging features are not available.Keywords: anomalies, fetus, radiography, computed tomography.
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Kaler, J., TRN George, and LE Green. "Why are sheep lame? Temporal associations between severity of foot lesions and severity of lameness in 60 sheep." Animal Welfare 20, no. 3 (August 2011): 433–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0962728600002992.
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AbstractWe investigated the temporal associations between the severity of foot lesions caused by footrot (FR) and the severity of lameness in sheep. Sixty sheep from one farm were monitored for five weeks. The locomotion of each sheep was scored once each week using a validated numerical rating scale of 0-6. All feet were then examined, FR was the only foot lesion observed; the severity of FR lesions was recorded on a scale from 0 to 4. Sheep had a locomotion score > 0 on 144/298 observations. FR lesions were present on at least one foot on 83% of observations of lame sheep but also present on 27% of observations where sheep were not lame; 95% of these sheep with a lesion but not lame had FR score 1. The results from a linear mixed model with locomotion score as the outcome were that the mean (95% CI) locomotion score of 0.28 (0.02, 0.53) in sheep with no lesions increased by 0.35 (0.05, 0.65) in sheep with FR score 1 or 2 and by 1.55 (1.13, 1.96) in sheep with FR score > 2 at the time of the observation; indicating that as the severity of the lesion increased, the severity of lameness increased. One week before an FR score > 2 was clinically apparent, sheep had a locomotion score 0.81 (0.37, 1.24) higher than sheep that did not have an FR score > 2 in the subsequent week. One week after treatment with intramuscular antibacterials the locomotion score of lame sheep reduced by 1.00 (0.50, 1.49). Our results indicate a positive association between severity of FR lesions and locomotion score and indicate that some non-lame and mildly lame sheep have footrot lesions. Treatment of even those mildly lame will facilitate healing and probably reduce the spread of infection to other sheep in the same group.
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Bickell, S., P. Poindron, R. Nowak, A. Chadwick, D. Ferguson, and D. Blache. "Genotype rather than non-genetic behavioural transmission determines the temperament of Merino lambs." Animal Welfare 18, no. 4 (November 2009): 459–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0962728600000877.
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AbstractMerino ewes have been selected, over 18 generations, for calm (C) or nervous (N) temperament using using an arena test and an isolation box test. We investigated the relative contributions of genotype versus the post-partum behaviour of the dam on the temperament of the lambs using a cross-fostering procedure. Forty-eight multiparous calm and 52 nervous ewes were artificially inseminated with the semen of a sire of the same temperament. At birth, 32 lambs of a given temperament line were cross fostered to ewes from the other line (16 N × C, 16 C × N), 34 lambs were cross fostered to ewes from the same line (15 C × C, 19 N × N) and 30 lambs were left with their birth mother (15 C, 15 N), to control for the effect of cross fostering. The temperament of the progeny was assessed at two occasions, one week after birth by measuring locomotor activity during an open-field test and at weaning (16 weeks) by measuring locomotor activity during an arena test and agitation score measured during an isolation box test. There was a genotype effect but no maternal or fostering effect on the lamb temperament at one week. This may be because the maternal behaviour of the foster ewes did not differ considerably between the calm and nervous mothers during adoption or within the first week, post partum. Similarly, at weaning, only a genotype effect was found on the locomotor and agitation score. Therefore, it appears that temperament in Merino sheep is mainly determined by the genetic transmission of the trait across generations rather than behaviours learned from the mother.
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Yamashiro, Kaeli, Laura A. Galganski, Jamie Peyton, Kalie Haynes, Victoria Vicuna, Priyadarsini Kumar, Benjamin Keller, et al. "Surviving Lambs with Myelomeningocele Repaired in utero with Placental Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for 6 Months: A Pilot Study." Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy 47, no. 12 (2020): 912–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000510813.
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<b><i>Background:</i></b> Fetal repair of myelomeningocele (MMC) with placental mesenchymal stromal cells (PMSCs) rescues ambulation in the ovine model up to 48 h postnatally. Outcomes past 48 h are unknown as MMC lambs have not been survived past this timepoint. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We aimed to survive lambs for 6 months following the fetal repair of MMC with PMSCs. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Fetal MMC lambs were repaired with PMSCs. Lambs received either no additional treatment or postnatal bracing and physical therapy (B/PT). Motor function was assessed with the sheep locomotor rating (SLR). Lambs with an SLR of 15 at birth were survived for 6 months or until a decline in SLR less than 15, whichever came first. All lambs underwent a perimortem MRI. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The lambs with no postnatal treatment (<i>n</i> = 2) had SLR declines to 7 and 13 at 29 and 65 days, respectively, and were euthanized. These lambs had a spinal angulation of 57° and 47°, respectively. The B/PT lamb (<i>n</i> = 1) survived for 6 months with a sustained SLR of 15 and a lumbar angulation of 42°. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Postnatal physical therapy and bracing counteracted the inherent morbidity of the absent paraspinal muscles in the ovine MMC model allowing for survival and maintenance of rescued motor function of the prenatally treated lamb up to 6 months.
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Oehm, Andreas W., Roswitha Merle, Annegret Tautenhahn, K. Charlotte Jensen, Kerstin-Elisabeth Mueller, Melanie Feist, and Yury Zablotski. "Identifying cow – level factors and farm characteristics associated with locomotion scores in dairy cows using cumulative link mixed models." PLOS ONE 17, no. 1 (January 28, 2022): e0263294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0263294.
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Lameness is a tremendous problem in intensively managed dairy herds all over the world. It has been associated with considerable adverse effects on animal welfare and economic viability. The majority of studies have evaluated factors associated with gait disturbance by categorising cows into lame and non-lame. This procedure yet entails a loss of information and precision. In the present study, we extend the binomial response to five categories acknowledging the ordered categorical nature of locomotion assessments, which conserves a higher level of information. A cumulative link mixed modelling approach was used to identify factors associated with increasing locomotion scores. The analysis revealed that a low body condition, elevated somatic cell count, more severe hock lesions, increasing parity, absence of pasture access, and poor udder cleanliness were relevant variables associated with higher locomotion scores. Furthermore, distinct differences in the locomotion scores assigned were identified in regard to breed, observer, and season. Using locomotion scores rather than a dichotomised response variable uncovers more refined relationships between gait disturbances and associated factors. This will help to understand the intricate nature of gait disturbances in dairy cows more deeply.
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Montgomery, Jane A., Katie Forgan, Catherine Hayhurst, Elizabeth Rees, Jennifer S. Duncan, Jacques Gossellein, Charles Harding, and Richard D. Murray. "Short term effect of treating claw horn lesions in dairy cattle on their locomotion, activity and milk yield." Veterinary Science Development 2, no. 1 (March 5, 2012): 7. http://dx.doi.org/10.4081/vsd.2012.3643.
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The immediate effect on dairy cow mobility, daily activity and milk yield following treatment for claw horn disease was examined in 306 lame cows located on four Cheshire dairy farms over twelve months. The daily activity and milk yield of all cows in these herds was recorded on computer using pedometers and in-parlour milk flow meters. Lame cows identified by stockmen were assessed subjectively by locomotion score, then restrained and their claws examined to identify the predominant lesion present. Those with locomotion scores > 2.5 that presented with sole ulcer, haemorrhage and bruising, or white line disease were studied. Claws of the affected limb were trimmed by one paraprofessional claw trimmer using the five-step <em>Dutch method </em>and the affected claw unloaded either by trimming or application of a block to the healthy digit: those on the contra-lateral limb were trimmed similarly. The same observer repeated the locomotion score assessment seven days later: trimming reduced the proportion of lame cows (score >3) by 55% and those with poor gait (score <3>2.5) by 49%, and the proportion of all cows not lame after trimming was 51% (χ2 4.94: P≤0.001). Night time activity levels increased from 76 to 81 steps/hour on day 2 after treatment (P<0.05) but this was not maintained: daily milk yields fell by 2%. Using univariate mixed models, year and season, parity and farm all had significant effects on locomotion and activity levels. This treatment for claw horn disease in lame dairy cows improved their immediate health and welfare.
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Blackie, N., E. C. L. Bleach, J. R. Amory, C. R. Nicholls, and J. R. Scaife. "The effect of hoof lesion severity on stride characteristics of early lactation Holstein dairy cows measured using locomotion scoring and computerised motion analysis." Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science 2007 (April 2007): 180. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1752756200020834.
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Kinematic assessment of gait has been widely used in sports and equine science, this method gives objective and accurate information on the movement of the subject. Most locomotion scoring systems incorporate stride length however this is subjective and is difficult to compare observers. Kinematic studies have shown that cows with sole ulcers have a shorter stride length than those showing no hoof lesions (Flower et al, 2005). Telezhenko and Bergsten (2005) found a similar effect with moderately lame cows having a shorter stride length measured objectively from footprints than non lame cows. Increased locomotion score can also affect the tracking distance of the animal (Telezhenko and Bergsten, 2005). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of increasing locomotion score on stride length and tracking distance of Holstein dairy cows in early lactation.
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Manson, F. J., and J. D. Leaver. "The influence of dietary protein intake and of hoof trimming on lameness in dairy cattle." Animal Science 47, no. 2 (October 1988): 191–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0003356100003263.
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ABSTRACTIn an experiment during weeks 3 to 26 of lactation, two groups of 12 cows were offered a mixed concentrate/grass silage diet containing 161 g crude protein per kg dry matter, and two similar groups a diet containing 198 g crude protein per kg dry matter. The concentrate: forage ratios and the daily metabolizable energy intakes were the same for all four groups. The cows in one of the two groups at each crude protein level had their hooves trimmed prior to parturition, the other group remaining untrimmed. The high protein diet significantly increased locomotion score (higher scores indicate poorer locomotion), the number and duration of clinical cases of lameness and outer toe length. Trimming of hooves reduced locomotion scores and the number and duration of clinical cases. Hoof growth was significantly increased by trimming. Mid-sole hardness was negatively correlated with locomotion score. At the two extremes, the low protein trimmed group had five cows lame for an average of 1·0 weeks, whereas the high protein untrimmed group had nine cows lame for an average of 4-2 weeks. Condition score and live-weight change were negatively correlated with locomotion score. There were no significant differences between treatments in milk solids yield.
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Blackie, N., E. C. L. Bleach, J. R. Amory, C. R. Nicholls, and J. R. Scaife. "The effect of foot lesions on locomotion score and spine posture measured using computerised motion analysis in early lactation Holstein dairy cows." Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science 2007 (April 2007): 100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1752756200020032.
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Locomotion scoring is an important tool to detect dairy cow lameness. A number of locomotion scoring systems use the posture of the back to identify lame cows (score 3). For example Sprecher et al (1997) suggested the presence of an arched back standing and walking indicates lameness. Flower and Weary (2006) developed this system to score cows while walking where a score 3 cow has a more severely arched back than a score 2 cow. However to date no work has been published characterising the degree of arching of the spine observed in lame animals and its relationship with foot lesions. This is important in the early detection of lameness and could be incorporated into locomotion scoring systems to improve the objectivity. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of foot lesions on spine posture of Holstein dairy cows in early lactation by motion analysis.
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Necula, Daniel-Catalin, Helen Elizabeth Warren, Jules Taylor-Pickard, Eliza Simiz, and Lavinia Stef. "Associations of Lameness with Indicators of Nitrogen Metabolism and Excretion in Dairy Cows." Agriculture 12, no. 12 (December 9, 2022): 2109. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12122109.
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The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of lameness on nitrogen (N) metabolism and excretion. Two treatment groups of 20 multiparous Holstein–Friesian dairy cows were included in study; the control group consisted of cows with locomotion score ≤2, while the experimental group consisted of cows with locomotion scores 3 and 4. Fodder, milk, feces, and urine were collected to determine nitrogen emissions. The milk yield, the energy-corrected milk, the fat and protein yield were higher for lame animals compare with non-lame cows. Differences were also detected in the milk urea nitrogen (MUN) between groups where lame cows had a 15% lower MUN than non-lame animals. Urine volume was lower (p < 0.008), while urinary creatinine concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in lame animals compare with those in the non-lame group. Consequently, the creatinine/urea ratio was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the lame vs. no-lame animals. Nitrogen excretion in milk was higher (p = 0.008) and N in urine was lower (p < 0.001) in the lame compared to non-lame cows with lower urinary N emissions in lame animals. Taken together, our results show that urinary creatinine concentration and urinary creatinine/urea ratio have the potential to be used as a tool for lameness detection.
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Liu, Jianbo, Robert M. Dyer, Nagaraj K. Neerchal, Uri Tasch, and Parimal G. Rajkondawar. "Diversity in the magnitude of hind limb unloading occurs with similar forms of lameness in dairy cows." Journal of Dairy Research 78, no. 2 (March 9, 2011): 168–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022029911000057.
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The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship of veterinary clinical assessments of lameness to probability estimates of lameness predicted from vertical kinetic measures. We hypothesized that algorithm-derived probability estimates of lameness would accurately reflect vertical measures in lame limbs even though vertical changes may not inevitably occur in all lameness. Kinetic data were collected from sound (n=179) and unilaterally lame (n=167) dairy cattle with a 1-dimensional, parallel force plate system that registered vertical ground reaction force signatures of all four limbs as cows freely exited the milking parlour. Locomotion was scored for each hind limb using a 1–5 locomotion score system (1=sound, 5=severely lame). Pain response in the interdigital space was quantified with an algometer and pain response in the claw was quantified with a hoof tester fitted with a pressure gage. Lesions were assigned severity scores (1=minimal pathology to 5=severe pathology). Lameness diminished the magnitude of peak ground reaction forces, average ground reaction forces, Fourier transformed ground reaction forces, stance times and vertical impulses in the lame limbs of unilaterally lame cows. The only effect of lameness on the opposite sound limb was increased magnitude of stance times and vertical impulses in unilaterally lame cows. Symmetry measures of the peak ground reaction forces, average ground reaction forces, Fourier transformed ground reaction forces, stance times and vertical impulses between the left and right hind limbs were also affected in unilateral lameness. Paradoxically, limbs with clinically similar lesion and locomotion scores and pain responses were associated with a broad range of load-transfer off the limb. Substantial unloading and changes in the vertical limb variables occurred in some lameness while minimal unloading and changes in vertical limb variables occurred in other lameness. Corresponding probability estimates of lameness accurately reflected changes in the vertical parameters of limbs and generated low probability estimates of lameness when minimal unloading occurred. Failure to transfer load off limbs with pain reactions, locomotion abnormalities and lesions explained much of the limited sensitivity in lameness detection with vertical limb variables.
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Manson, F. J., and J. D. Leaver. "The effect of concentrate: silage ratio and of hoof trimming on lameness in dairy cattle." Animal Science 49, no. 1 (August 1989): 15–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0003356100004207.
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ABSTRACTDuring weeks 3 to 26 of lactation, two groups of 24 cows were offered either a 60:40 (high) or a 40:60 (low) ratio of concentrate dry matter:silage dry matter. The 40:60 diet was restricted to give the same daily metabolizable energy and crude protein intake. The hooves of half the cows on each diet were trimmed prior to the experiment, the other half remaining untrimmed. The high concentrate ratio significantly increased locomotion score (high scores indicating poorer locomotion), and the number and duration of clinical cases of lameness. Trimming of hooves significantly reduced the number and diiration of clinical cases. Hoof growth was significantly increased by trimming. Hoof hardness was significantly reduced by the high concentrate ratio. The low concentrate ratio had 8/24 cows lame for an average of 3·3 weeks compared with 11 cows for 3·9 weeks on the high ratio. There were 7/24 trimmed cows lame for 3·1 weeks compared with 12 untrimmed cows lame for 4·2 weeks. The main hoof lesions were solar ulcers and heel erosion. There was no significant effect on milk yield, but milk protein was signficantly increased by the high concentrate ratio. Condition score was significantly negatively correlated with locomotion score.
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Feldmann, M., M. Hoedemaker, T. Schulz, and Y. Gundelach. "Early detection and treatment of lame cows." Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G: Großtiere / Nutztiere 44, no. 01 (2016): 5–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.15653/tpg-150534.
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Summary Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of specific hoof lesions on the locomotion score (LS) as well as the effect of early detection and treatment on duration and prevalence of lesion-specific lameness. Material and methods: In a dairy herd in Lower Saxony, Germany, with 144 lactating cows, claw trimming was performed by a professional claw trimmer at the beginning and the end of a 41-week trial period. Weekly a veterinarian assessed the LS according to Sprecher et al. (1997) in 99 cows. The front and hind claws of cows with an LS > 1 were examined and treated within 5 days. For individual diagnoses, the duration of lameness was calculated as the number of weeks from first treatment until recovery (LS = 1).Results: In total, 580 examinations and treatments were performed on 94 cows. There were 189 new lameness cases with a total of 290 diagnoses. At the first treatment, 81.0% of the cows displayed an LS of 2. Cows with digital dermatitis (DD), heel horn erosion and white line disease (WLD) more often had an LS > 2 compared to cows with Rusterholz’ sole ulcer, interdigital hyperplasia or inadequate claw length/posture (p < 0.05). Cows with only one affected leg, more often had an LS > 2 than cows with several affected legs (p < 0.1). Lameness caused by WLD and arthritis/ periarthritis remained for the longest time period. The prevalence of sole haemorrhages and/or double soles, WLD, interdigital dermatitis and interdigital hyperplasia decreased significantly during the test period. Prevalence of sole ulcer (sole ulcer and Rusterholz’ sole ulcer) and DD remained unaffected. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Locomotion score was affected by the type of claw/limb disorder and the number of diseased limbs. Regular locomotion scoring and continuous treatment of cows with an LS > 1 is associated with a decrease in the prevalence of several claw lesions. Therefore, prevalence of severe claw lesions like WLD, which was associated with a long duration of lameness, can be reduced. In con trast, for decreasing prevalence of digital dermatitis more than weekly treatment of every cow with LS > 1 is required. Preventive measures like footbaths or improved hygiene should accompany the individual animal treatment.
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Abourachid, A., and E. Laville. "Kinematic study of the locomotion of two crossbreds of lambs." Annales de Zootechnie 46, no. 3 (1997): 219–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/animres:19970303.
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Zahid, Umar Nazir, Swaran Singh Randhawa, Syed Ashaq Hussain, Sarnarinder Singh Randhawa, Vishal Mahajan, and Kirti Dua. "Claw Lesions Causing Clinical Lameness in Lactating Holstein Frisian Crossbred Cows." Veterinary Medicine International 2014 (2014): 1–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/764689.
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The objective of this study was to identify claw lesions causing clinical lameness in lactating Holstein Frisian (HF) crossbred cows in dairy cattle. Seventy dairy farmers were interviewed at the monthly meetings of Progressive Dairy Farmers Association of Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Ten dairy farms were randomly selected as per probability proportional to size and a total of 450 lactating HF crossbred cows were taken into the study. All the lactating cows were scored for locomotion and rear leg view index. Trimming was done in all the clinically lame animals (animals with locomotion scores 2 and 3) and equal number of animals selected randomly from those with locomotion scores 0 and 1. Various claw lesions were evaluated in both the groups. There was a significant relationship between locomotion score and rear leg view index to identify lameness. Sole ulcers and white line fissures were the lesions responsible for clinical lameness. Other lesions did not cause clinical lameness but increased the asymmetry in lactating HF crossbred cows. Both locomotion score and rear leg view index could be reliably used to identify clinical lameness in lactating cattle.
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Lagoda, Martyna E., Laura A. Boyle, Joanna Marchewka, and Keelin O’Driscoll. "Early Detection of Locomotion Disorders in Gilts Using a Novel Visual Analogue Scale; Associations with Chronic Stress and Reproduction." Animals 11, no. 10 (October 6, 2021): 2900. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11102900.
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Locomotion scoring is crucial for the early detection of lameness, which reduces sow welfare and performance. Our objective was to test the effectiveness of a visual analogue scale (VAS) to measure locomotory ability (OVERALL) compared to a categorical scoring system (CAT) and to investigate associations with hair cortisol and reproductive performance. Locomotion was scored in gilts (n = 51) at service, on day 57 and day 108 of pregnancy, and at weaning, using a VAS (150 mm line: 0 mm (perfect)–150 mm (severely lame)), and a CAT (1 (perfect)–5 (severely lame)). Hair cortisol concentration was measured on day 108 of pregnancy. Reproductive performance data (parity 1–4) were acquired from farm records. VAS detected deviations from optimal locomotion more effectively than the CAT (F3,145 = 2.70; p ≤ 0.05 versus F3,195 = 2.45; p = 0.065). Higher OVERALL scores at service (REG = 0.003 ± 0.0012; F1,48 = 4.25; p ≤ 0.05) and on day 57 (REG = 0.003 ± 0.0013; F1,48 = 6.95; p ≤ 0.05) were associated with higher hair cortisol concentrations on day 108. Positive associations were detected between OVERALL at service and the number of piglets born dead (REG = 0.01 ± 0.006; F1,36 = 4.24; p ≤ 0.05), and total born (REG = 0.1 ± 0.03; F1,120 = 4.88; p ≤ 0.05). The VAS better facilitates early detection of lameness, which could help to prevent detrimental effects, possibly mediated by chronic stress, on reproductive performance.
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Werema, Chacha Wambura, Linda Laven, Kristina Mueller, and Richard Laven. "Evaluating Alternatives to Locomotion Scoring for Lameness Detection in Pasture-Based Dairy Cows in New Zealand: Infra-Red Thermography." Animals 11, no. 12 (December 6, 2021): 3473. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11123473.
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Lameness in cattle is a complex condition with huge impacts on welfare, and its detection is challenging for the dairy industry. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between foot skin temperature (FST) measured using infrared thermography (IRT) and locomotion scoring (LS) in dairy cattle kept at pasture. Data were collected from a 940-cow dairy farm in New Zealand. Cows were observed at two consecutive afternoon milkings where LS was undertaken at the first milking (4-point scale (0–3), DairyNZ). The next day, cows were thermally imaged from the plantar aspect of the hind feet using a handheld T650sc forward-looking infrared camera (IRT). The association between FST and locomotion score was analysed using a generalised linear model with an identity link function and robust estimators. ROC curves were performed to determine optimal threshold temperature cut-off values by maximising sensitivity and specificity for detecting locomotion score ≥ 2. There was a linear association between individual locomotion scores and FST. For mean temperature (MT), each one-unit locomotion score increase was associated with a 0.944 °C rise in MT. Using MT at a cut-off point of 34.5 °C produced a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 92.4% for identifying cows with a locomotion score ≥ 2 (lame). Thus, IRT has a substantial potential to be used on-farm for lameness detection. However, automation of the process will likely be necessary for IRT to be used without interfering with farm operations.
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Margerison, J. K., B. Winkler, and G. Stephens. "The effect locomotion score and lameness and on dry matter intake and behaviour in dairy cattle." Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science 2002 (2002): 199. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1752756200008553.
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Lameness has been identified as an extremely painful condition (Manson and Leaver, 1988). Studies have found increased locomotion score (LS) and lameness to reduce productivity, while other have found no such reduction (Manson and Leaver, 1988; Kelley et al., 1990; Phillips et al., 1994). Changes in time spent feeding have been associated with changes in LS (Manson and Leaver, 1988) and less time lying down (Hassall, 1993). However, while lame cows change their feeding and general behaviour there is little information regarding the extent and mode of these changes. The objective of this study was to measure the effect of locomotion score on behavior and feed intake.
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Luz, Gabriela Bueno, Antonio Amaral Barbosa, Ivan Ricardo Carvalho, Cassio Cassal Brauner, Eduardo Gularte Xavier, Eduardo Schmitt, Francisco Del Pino, Josiane de Oliveira Feijó, Viviane Rohrig Rabassa, and Marcio Nunes Corrêa. "Locomotion score and body condition shows a low relative contribution to the occurrence of foot disorders in dairy cows." Agropecuária Catarinense 35, no. 1 (April 19, 2022): 61–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.52945/rac.v35i1.1154.
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This study aims to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of foot lesion and body condition scores to define which lesions are determinant for the manifestation of locomotion scores in dairy cows. A database from 482 Holstein cows was evaluated considering information on body condition scores (BCS), locomotion scores (LS), and cows with hoof lesions. Sole hemorrhage was the hoof lesion with the greatest occurrence (74.15%), followed by nail hypoplasia (11.35%). Most cows with LS 1 showed a 3 and 4 BCS, in contrast to most animals with 2.5 and 3.5 LS, which showed a 2 and 3 LS. Linear correlations indicate that a 0 LS is inversely associated with sole hemorrhage lesions (r = -0.19), and sole hemorrhage and digital dermatitis (r = -0.26), whereas LS 1 cows are inversely related to sole hemorrhage and digital dermatitis (r = 0.14). Regardless of the categorization between healthy and lame animals, most individuals in the system showed a BCS between 3.0 and 3.5. However, we found that locomotion and body condition scores showed a low relative contribution to the occurrence of foot disorders.
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Tunstall, Jay, Karin Mueller, Oscar Sinfield, and Helen Mary Higgins. "Reliability of a beef cattle locomotion scoring system for use in clinical practice." Veterinary Record 187, no. 8 (September 11, 2020): 319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.105781.
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BackgroundLocomotion (lameness) scoring has been used and studied in the dairy industry; however, to the authors’ knowledge, there are no studies assessing the reliability of locomotion scoring systems when used with beef cattle.MethodsA four-point scoring system was developed and beef cattle filmed walking on a firm surface. Eight veterinary researchers, eight clinicians and eight veterinary students were shown written descriptors of the scoring system and four video clips for training purposes, before being asked to score 40 video clips in a random order. Participants repeated this task 4 days later.ResultsThe intra-observer agreement (the same person scoring on different days) was acceptable with weighted mean Kappa values of 0.84, 0.81 and 0.84 respectively for researchers, clinicians and students. The inter-observer agreement (different people scoring the same animal) was acceptable with weighted Gwet’s Agreement Coefficient values of 0.70, 0.69 and 0.64 for researchers, clinicians and students. Most disagreement occurred over scores one (not lame but imperfect locomotion) and two (lame, but not severe).ConclusionThis scoring system has the potential to reliably score lameness in beef cattle and help facilitate lameness treatment and control; however, some disagreements will occur especially over scores one and two.
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Abecia, J. A., A. Casao, M. Pascual-Alonso, S. Lobón, L. A. Aguayo-Ulloa, A. Meikle, F. Forcada, et al. "The effect of periconceptional undernutrition of sheep on the cognitive/emotional response and oocyte quality of offspring at 30 days of age." Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 5, no. 2 (February 11, 2014): 79–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s2040174414000051.
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Maternal periconceptional undernutrition is associated with altered development and increased risks of adverse outcomes in the offspring. This circumstance is normal in flocks under extensive farming systems, which depend on natural forage resources. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of periconceptional undernutrition in sheep on behavioral and reproductive aspects of the offspring. Eighty ewes were synchronized in estrus and allocated to two groups (n=40) to be fed diets that provided 1.5 (C) or 0.5 (L) times the requirements for maintenance. Ewes were mated and 7 days later fed the control diet until lambing. One month after lambing, 32 lambs were exposed to tests to determine their cognitive and emotional responses. Six ewe lambs were euthanized and in vitro maturation and fertilization procedures were performed. L ewes presented a significant reduction in prolificacy and fecundity (P<0.05) in comparison with C ewes. Mean LW at lambing of L lambs was significantly higher than C lambs (C: 3.80±0.11; L: 4.24±0.15 kg, P<0.05). Lambs born from C ewes spent more time walking than L lambs (P<0.05) in the isolation test, revealing a decrease in the locomotor activity of lambs born from undernourished ewes around conception. Ewe lambs from the undernourished ewes presented a total population of oocytes 2.3 times higher than ovaries from control ewe lambs (60.0±7.8 v. 140.0±18.5 oocytes; P<0.05). In conclusion, periconceptional undernutrition is able to produce an increment in the body weight and the oocyte population, and an alteration of the locomotor activity of the offspring.
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Rabuffetti, Marco, Alberto Marzegan, Alessandro Crippa, Ilaria Carpinella, Tiziana Lencioni, Anna Castagna, and Maurizio Ferrarin. "The LAMB gait analysis protocol: Definition and experimental assessment of operator-related variability." Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine 233, no. 3 (February 1, 2019): 342–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0954411919827033.
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Gait analysis has demonstrated to efficaciously support clinical investigations. The patterns of the outcome variables (joint angles, moments and powers) are characterized by an intrinsic and extrinsic variability. Particularly, extrinsic variability is induced by operator-dependent differences in markers’ placement, with errors propagating non-linearly to alter outcome variable patterns. The aims of this study are (1) to consider a specific gait analysis protocol named LAMB and provide a description of its procedures, (2) to experimentally assess the between-operator and within-operator variability induced by operator-dependent marking of required anatomical landmarks and (3) to evidence how such inaccuracies propagates to the gait analysis kinematic and kinetic outcome variables. Six expert gait analysis operators performed LAMB anatomical landmarks marking on three healthy adult participants; moreover, one operator repeated three times the marking on one participant. The participants then performed a set of locomotor tasks including stair negotiation and heel- and toe-walking. An anatomical calibration approach let to register each marking and to compute, starting from one single raw data set, a set of outcome variables for each marking/operator. The between-operator variability of gait analysis outcome was assessed in terms of mean absolute variability to quantify offsets and minimal correlation coefficient to quantify patterns’ similarity. The results evidence average minimal correlation coefficient ranging from 0.857 for moments to 0.907 for angles and average mean absolute variability accounted for few degrees in angular variables (worst between-operator mean absolute variability is 7.3°), while dynamic variables mean absolute variability, relative to the variable range, was below 5% for moment and below 10% for powers. The variability indexes are comparable to those related to previously published protocols and are independent from the considered task, thus suggesting that the LAMB is a reliable protocol suitable for the analysis of different locomotor tasks.
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Kelemen, Zsofia, Herwig Grimm, Mariessa Long, Ulrike Auer, and Florien Jenner. "Recumbency as an Equine Welfare Indicator in Geriatric Horses and Horses with Chronic Orthopaedic Disease." Animals 11, no. 11 (November 8, 2021): 3189. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11113189.
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Recumbency is a prerequisite for horses achieving rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and completing a full sleep cycle. An inability to lie down due to environmental insecurities or pain results in REM sleep deficiency, which can cause substantial impairment of welfare and health. Therefore, the present study used wearable automated sensor technology on 83 horses housed in an animal sanctuary to measure and compare the recumbency, locomotion, and standing time budgets of geriatric horses with and without chronic lameness to younger adult sound and lame horses. Recumbency times ranged from 0 to 319 min per day with an overall mean of 67.4 (±61.9) minutes; the time budget for locomotion was 19.1% (±11.2% s.d.) and for standing 75.6% (±13.1 s.d.). Interestingly, neither age nor lameness due to chronic orthopedic disease had a significant influence on recumbency times in this study. Eight horses showed symptoms of REM deficit. These horses had significantly shorter lying times (7.99 ± 11.4 min) and smaller locomotion time budgets than the other horses enrolled in this study (73.8 ± 61.8 min), indicating a general compromise of well-being. Thus, wearable sensor technology can be used to identify horses with low recumbency times at risk for REM sleep deficiency and to assess and monitor equine welfare objectively.
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Blackie, Nicola, and Lawrence Maclaurin. "Influence of Lameness on the Lying Behaviour of Zero-Grazed Lactating Jersey Dairy Cattle Housed in Straw Yards." Animals 9, no. 10 (October 19, 2019): 829. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani9100829.
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Thirty-five lactating Jersey cows were recruited to the study. They were grouped according to locomotion score (LS), where low scores indicate normal gait. LS-1 (n = 12), LS-2 (n = 12) and LS-3 (n = 11) were used. Locomotion scores were balanced for parity and stage of lactation. Lying behaviour was recorded using IceTag™ data loggers attached to the cows for four consecutive days. The study animals remained in the straw based yards with grooved concrete flooring throughout the duration of the study. All data were normally distributed and assessed using a one-way ANOVA with a post hoc Tukey test. There were no statistically significant differences between locomotion score and the time spent lying, active and standing of zero-grazed lactating Jersey dairy cattle housed on straw yards. Lame cows (LS-3) had significantly shorter lying bouts than sound cows (LS-1) (34 min vs. 42 min, respectively). There has been limited research to date measuring the lying behaviour of cattle on straw and into the Jersey breed. The cows had longer than expected standing times and an increased frequency of lying bouts. This may have been attributed to the stocking density in which the cows were kept. We also reported a prevalence of lameness within the herd of 38%.
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Manson, F. J., and J. D. Leaver. "The influence of concentrate amount on locomotion and clinical lameness in dairy cattle." Animal Science 47, no. 2 (October 1988): 185–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0003356100003251.
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ABSTRACTAn experiment with two groups of 24 cows during weeks 3 to 22 of lactation examined the influence of 7 (L) or 11 (H) kg concentrates per day on the prevalence of lameness. Grass silage was offeredad libitum. The cows were scored on a 1 to 5 scale for their locomotion on a weekly basis (1 = normal locomotion; 5 = severely lame). Cows scoring 3 or more were considered to be clinically lame. This allowed the prevalence of lameness, its severity and duration to be measured and statistically analysed. There were significantly more observations of lameness in the H cows than the L cows (0·077 and 0·021 observations per cow week) and the severity and duration of lameness incidents were significantly greater. The major causes of lameness were solar problems in the hind feet. The prevalence declined in both treatments as lactation progressed. The predisposing causes of the higher incidence in treatment H could have been the higher concentrate: forage ratio, the greater daily metabolizable energy intake or the greater daily crude protein intake. For treatments L and H, mean milk yields were 20·5, 23·7 kg/day; milk fat 41·7, 39·0 g/kg; milk protein 31·4, 32·0 g/kg; live-weight change -0·12, +0·11 kg/day; and condition score 2·04, 2·18.
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Olechnowicz, J., and JM Jaskowski. " Behaviour of lame cows: a review." Veterinární Medicína 56, No. 12 (December 27, 2011): 581–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.17221/4435-vetmed.
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Claw horn disorders, infectious diseases of hooves and leg injuries cause lameness in dairy cows. However, such diseases as sole haemorrhages, sole ulcers or white line diseases, cause clinical lameness. Lameness reduces milk production, the fertility of cows and also causes earlier culling of cows, as well resultings in a deterioration of their welfare. In this review we focus on the impact of lameness on bovine behaviour. The time spent lying down is an important behaviour of dairy cows. As an increased locomotion score is associated with an increased percentage of cows lying down, also the position of cows within the milking parlour is associated with lameness. Lame cows are more likely to present toward the end of milking. Clinical lameness is a chronic stressor, reducing progesterone concentrations prior to oestrus, and resulting in reduced sexual behaviour; however, lame cows have the same potential period of oestrus when compared with non-lame cows. Hoof diseases, particularly those which are a source of pain, also reduce animal welfare. A high standard of cow welfare may be achieved by improving the lives of animals and the people who work with them. A lack of comfort while lying presents a significant risk for lameness. Improvements in comfort on more than 75% of farms (32 out of a total number of 53 farms) reduced the incidence of mastitis, while on 42 farms it reduced the prevalence of lameness. The keeping of cows on the straw bed of stalls does not only improve animal welfare, mainly through the greater comfort of the floor, but has also been showed to increase eating and ruminating behaviour. Cows also prefer straw to sand bedding and lay down longer on straw than on sand; however, cleanliness and hoof health have been shown to be better on sand. Apart from comfort, the main factors which promote improvements in bovine welfare and health, include good management of dairy farms, keeping cows in free stalls with accompanying regular exercise, and a long time spent at pasture. The prevalence of clinical lameness was demonstrated to be higher on farms using mattresses when compared with farms using deep-bedded stalls. No differences were found in behaviour among cows with different degrees of lameness housed in mattress stalls. Hence, measures of laying behaviour are not good indicators of lameness.
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Volkmann, Nina, Jenny Stracke, and Nicole Kemper. "Evaluation of a gait scoring system for cattle by using cluster analysis and Krippendorff’s α reliability." Veterinary Record 184, no. 7 (November 19, 2018): 220. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.105059.
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The aim of the presented study was to validate a three-point locomotion score (LS) classifying lameness in dairy cows. Therefore, locomotion of 144 cows was scored and data on claw lesions were collected during hoof trimming. Based on latter data a cluster analysis was performed to objectively classify cows into three groups (Cluster 1–3). Finally, the congruence between scoring system and clustering was tested using Krippendorff’s α reliability. In total, 63 cows (43.7 per cent) were classified as non-lame (LS1), 38 (26.4 per cent) were rated as LS2 with an uneven gait and 43 (29.9 per cent) cows were ranked as clearly lame (LS3). In comparison, hoof-trimming data revealed 64 cows (44.4 per cent) to show no diagnosis, 37 (25.7 per cent) one diagnosis, 33 animals (22.9 per cent) two diagnoses and 10 (7.0 per cent) more than two. Comparing the respective categorisation received by either the cluster analysis or LS in between groups, a high correspondence (79.4 per cent and 83.7 per cent) could be found for LS1 and cluster 1 as well as for LS3 and cluster 3. Only LS2 had partial agreement (21.1 per cent) to cluster 2. However, Krippendorff’s α was 0.75 (95 per cent CI 0.68 to 0.81), indicating a good degree of reliability. Therefore, the results of this study suggested that the presented LS is suitable for classifying the cows’ state of lameness representing their claw diseases.
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Busin, Valentina, Lorenzo Viora, George King, Martin Tomlinson, Julien LeKernec, Nicholas Jonsson, and Francesco Fioranelli. "Evaluation of lameness detection using radar sensing in ruminants." Veterinary Record 185, no. 18 (September 25, 2019): 572. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.105407.
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BackgroundLameness is a major health, welfare and production-limiting condition for the livestock industries. The current ‘gold-standard’ method of assessing lameness by visual locomotion scoring is subjective and time consuming, whereas recent technological advancements have enabled the development of alternative and more objective methods for its detection.MethodsThis study evaluated a novel lameness detection method using micro-Doppler radar signatures to categorise animals as lame or non-lame. Animals were visually scored by veterinarian and radar data were collected for the same animals.ResultsA machine learning algorithm was developed to interpret the radar signatures and provide automatic classification of the animals. Using veterinary scoring as a standard method, the classification by radar signature provided 85 per cent sensitivity and 81 per cent specificity for cattle and 96 per cent sensitivity and 94 per cent specificity for sheep.ConclusionThis radar sensing method shows promise for the development of a highly functional, rapid and reliable recognition tool of lame animals, which could be integrated into automatic, on-farm systems for sheep and cattle.
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Dendani-Chadi, Zoubida, Khelaf Saidani, Loubna Dib, Fayçal Zeroual, Faouzi Sammar, and Ahmed Benakhla. "Univariate associations between housing, management, and facility design factors and the prevalence of lameness lesions in fourteen small-scale dairy farms in Northeastern Algeria." Veterinary World 13, no. 3 (2020): 570–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.570-578.
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Background and Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the associations between different types of housing, management, and facilities on the prevalence of lame, causing lesions in smallholder dairy farms in Algeria. Materials and Methods: The on-site investigation took place between December 2012 and May 2015. All cows were locomotion scored on a four-point scale, and foot lesions causing lame were diagnosed and recorded. Factors related to the farm and the cows' conditions were also assessed. The association between the possible risk factors and lame lesions was assessed using univariate analysis. Results: Of the 349 cows evaluated, 13% were lame (lameness score ≥2), with higher lameness values recorded for the hind feet than for the forefeet. Cows without lameness were classified as healthy. The two most frequent lesion diagnoses observed in lame cows were interdigital dermatitis/heel horn erosion (ID/HE; 39%) and interdigital phlegmon (IP; 35%), followed by traumatic lesions (T; 11%), digital dermatitis (DD; 8.7%), and laminitis-related diseases (L; 6.5%). The risk of being lame was increased in large herds with cows of the Holstein breed, and those in the third parity and above. Tie housing, concrete floor, concentrate feeding, zero-grazing, and the use of foot trimming occasionally were associated with increased risk for the presence of lame lesions. The region and footbathing frequency had no association with the prevalence of lame lesions (p≥0.05). Conclusion: These results have important implications; they indicate that several aspects of housing, management, and facility design are common protective factors for the prevalence of lame lesions. These factors should be maintained correctly to not only reduce the number of lame cows in these herds but also decrease the direct and indirect costs associated with cases of lameness.
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Van Nuffel, Annelies, Ingrid Zwertvaegher, Liesbet Pluym, Stephanie Van Weyenberg, Vivi Thorup, Matti Pastell, Bart Sonck, and Wouter Saeys. "Lameness Detection in Dairy Cows: Part 1. How to Distinguish between Non-Lame and Lame Cows Based on Differences in Locomotion or Behavior." Animals 5, no. 3 (August 28, 2015): 838–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani5030387.
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Beer, Gian, Maher Alsaaod, Alexander Starke, Gertraud Schuepbach-Regula, Hendrik Müller, Philipp Kohler, and Adrian Steiner. "Use of Extended Characteristics of Locomotion and Feeding Behavior for Automated Identification of Lame Dairy Cows." PLOS ONE 11, no. 5 (May 17, 2016): e0155796. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0155796.
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Herzberg, Daniel, Pablo Strobel, Ricardo Chihuailaf, Alfredo Ramirez-Reveco, Heine Müller, Marianne Werner, and Hedie Bustamante. "Spinal Reactive Oxygen Species and Oxidative Damage Mediate Chronic Pain in Lame Dairy Cows." Animals 9, no. 9 (September 17, 2019): 693. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani9090693.
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Lameness in dairy cows is a worldwide prevalent disease with a negative impact on animal welfare and herd economy. Oxidative damage and antioxidant system dysfunction are common features of many CNS diseases, including chronic pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage markers in the spinal cord of dairy cows with chronic inflammatory lameness. Locomotion score was performed in order to select cows with chronic lameness. Dorsal horn spinal cord samples were obtained post mortem from lumbar segments (L2–L5), and ROS, malondialdehyde (MDA), and carbonyl groups were measured along with the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant response (TAR). Lame cows had increased levels of ROS, MDA, and carbonyl groups, while no differences were observed between lame and non-lame cows in SOD, GPx, CAT, and TAR activity. We conclude that painful chronic inflammatory lameness in dairy cows is associated with an increase in ROS, MDA, and carbonyl groups. Nonetheless, an association between ROS generation and dysfunction of the antioxidant system, as previously proposed, could not be established.
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O'Callaghan, K. A., P. J. Cripps, D. Y. Downham, and R. D. Murray. "Subjective and Objective Assessment of Pain and Discomfort Due to Lameness in Dairy Cattle." Animal Welfare 12, no. 4 (November 2003): 605–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0962728600026257.
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AbstractPain experienced by lame cattle is often masked by their instinctive stoicism, leading to delayed detection and treatment of lameness. This paper investigates the usefulness of posture scoring during locomotion and the evaluation of daily activity levels as indicators of pain and discomfort resulting from lameness in dairy cattle. In this study, 345 lactating cattle were observed over a seven-month winter housing period. The posture of each cow was scored twice weekly using a subjective five-point numerical rating scale. Daily activity levels were measured objectively using pedometers. The effect of lameness on behaviour was addressed. Increased posture scores were associated with the presence of foot lesions (P < 0.001) and with reduced daily activity levels (P < 0.001). In comparison to sound cows, lame cows showed lower daily activity levels (P < 0.001). These results improve understanding of pain-related behaviours in cattle, and such an approach may assist future development of welfare assessment systems.
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Dunthorn, Jason, Robert M. Dyer, Nagaraj K. Neerchal, Jonathan S. McHenry, Parimal G. Rajkondawar, Gary Steingraber, and Uri Tasch. "Predictive models of lameness in dairy cows achieve high sensitivity and specificity with force measurements in three dimensions." Journal of Dairy Research 82, no. 4 (August 17, 2015): 391–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s002202991500028x.
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Lameness remains a significant cause of production losses, a growing welfare concern and may be a greater economic burden than clinical mastitis . A growing need for accurate, continuous automated detection systems continues because US prevalence of lameness is 12·5% while individual herds may experience prevalence's of 27·8–50·8%. To that end the first force-plate system restricted to the vertical dimension identified lame cows with 85% specificity and 52% sensitivity . These results lead to the hypothesis that addition of transverse and longitudinal dimensions could improve sensitivity of lameness detection. To address the hypothesis we upgraded the original force plate system to measure ground reaction forces (GRFs) across three directions. GRFs and locomotion scores were generated from randomly selected cows and logistic regression was used to develop a model that characterised relationships of locomotion scores to the GRFs. This preliminary study showed 76 variables across 3 dimensions produced a model with greater than 90% sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating curve (AUC). The result was a marked improvement on the 52% sensitivity, and 85% specificity previously observed with the 1 dimensional model or the 45% sensitivities reported with visual observations. Validation of model accuracy continues with the goal to finalise accurate automated methods of lameness detection.
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Bach, Alex, Martí Dinarés, Maria Devant, and Xavier Carré. "Associations between lameness and production, feeding and milking attendance of Holstein cows milked with an automatic milking system." Journal of Dairy Research 74, no. 1 (September 15, 2006): 40–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022029906002184.
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A longitudinal study involving 73 primiparous (PP) and 47 multiparous (MP) Holstein cows was conducted over an 8-month period to assess the associations between locomotion score (LCS) and milk production, dry matter intake (DMI), feeding behaviour, and number of visits to an automatic milking system (AMS). Twice weekly, all cows were locomotion scored (scale 1–5) by the same observer. Individual eating behaviour and individual feed consumption at each cow visit to the feed troughs, individual milk production, the time of milking, and the number of milkings for each cow were recorded for the day of locomotion scoring and the day before and after. Dependent variables, such as milk yield, DMI, etc. were modelled using a mixed-effects model with parity, LCS, days in milk (DIM), the exponential of −0·05 DIM, and the interaction between parity and LCS, as fixed effects and random intercepts and random slopes for the linear and the exponential of −0·05DIM effects within cow. LCS did not affect time of attendance at feed troughs, but affected the location that cows occupied in the feed troughs. The time devoted to eating and DMI decreased with increasing LCS. Milk production decreased with LCS>3. The number of daily visits to the AMS also decreased with increasing LCS. The cows with high LCS were fetched more often than the cows with low LCS. Overall, PP cows were more sensitive to the effects of increasing LCS than were MP cows. The decrease in milk production observed with increasing LCS seemed to be affected similarly by the decrease in DMI and by the decrease in number of daily visits to the AMS. A further economic loss generated by lame cows with AMS will be associated with the additional labour needed to fetch them.
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Stokes, Sarah C., Jordan E. Jackson, Christina M. Theodorou, Christopher D. Pivetti, Priyadarsini Kumar, Kaeli J. Yamashiro, Aijun Wang, and Diana L. Farmer. "A Novel Model of Fetal Spinal Cord Exposure Allowing for Long-Term Postnatal Survival." Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy 48, no. 6 (2021): 472–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000516542.
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<b><i>Background:</i></b> The inherent morbidity associated with fetal ovine models of myelomeningocele (MMC) has created challenges for long-term survival of lambs. We aimed to develop a fetal ovine surgical spinal exposure model which could be used to evaluate long-term safety after direct spinal cord application of novel therapeutics for augmentation of in utero MMC repair. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> At gestational age (GA) 100–106, fetal lambs underwent surgical intervention. Laminectomy of L5–L6 was performed, dura was removed, and an experimental product was directly applied to the spinal cord. Paraspinal muscles and skin were closed and the fetus was returned to the uterus. Lambs were delivered via cesarean section at GA 140–142. Lambs were survived for 3 months with regular evaluation of motor function by the sheep locomotor rating scale. Spinal angulation was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging at 2 weeks and 3 months. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Five fetal surgical intervention lambs and 6 control lambs who did not undergo surgical intervention were included. All lambs survived to the study endpoint of 3 months. No lambs had motor function abnormalities or increased spinal angulation. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This model allows for long-term survival after fetal spinal cord exposure with product application directly onto the spinal cord.
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Barbosa, Antonio Amaral, Gabriela Bueno Luz, Viviane Rohrig Rabassa, Marcio Nunes Corrêa, Charles Ferreira Martins, and Francisco Augusto Burkert Del Pino. "Concentration of minerals in the hoof horny capsule of healthy and lame dairy cows." Semina: Ciências Agrárias 37, no. 3 (June 22, 2016): 1423. http://dx.doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2016v37n3p1423.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the mineral concentrations in the hoof horny capsule of healthy Holstein cows and cows with hoof problems associated with laminitis. Twenty-one multiparous Holstein cows with an average production of 24 L of milk/day, reared with semi-extensive nutritional management, were studied. The animals were evaluated and divided into two groups based on their locomotion score (LS, range: 0 to 4). LS greater than 2 indicated laminitis-associated lesions (lame cow group: LC), and LS = 0 indicated cows without laminitis (CWL). A sample of 30 mm2 was collected from the hoof horny capsule at the abaxial wall to evaluate the concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and magnesium. Calcium blood concentration was also evaluated. The LC group had lower magnesium concentration (P=0.008) and showed a trend (P=0.06) for lower calcium concentration compared to healthy animals (CWL), even though all animals were normocalcemic. The concentration of other minerals did not differ between the LC and CWL group. In conclusion, the magnesium concentration in the hoof horny capsule was lower in cows with lesions associated with laminitis, while phosphorus and zinc concentrations were not affected. The relationship between hoof lesions and calcium concentration requires further investigation.
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Tadich, N., C. Tejeda, S. Bastias, C. Rosenfeld, and L. E. Green. "Nociceptive threshold, blood constituents and physiological values in 213 cows with locomotion scores ranging from normal to severely lame." Veterinary Journal 197, no. 2 (August 2013): 401–5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.01.029.
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Volkmann, Nina, Boris Kulig, and Nicole Kemper. "Using the Footfall Sound of Dairy Cows for Detecting Claw Lesions." Animals 9, no. 3 (March 1, 2019): 78. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani9030078.
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An important factor for animal welfare in cattle farming is the detection of lameness. The presented study is part of a project aiming to develop a system that is capable of an automated diagnosis of claw lesions by analyzing the footfall sound. Data were generated from cows walking along a measurement zone where piezoelectric sensors recorded their footfall sounds. Locomotion of the animals was scored and they were graded according to a three-scale scoring system (LS1 = non-lame; LS2 = uneven gait; LS3 = lame). Subsequently, the cows were examined by a hoof trimmer. The walking speed across the test track was significantly higher in cows with LS1 compared to those with LS2 and LS3 and thus, they were showing a smoother gait pattern. The standard deviation of volume (SDV) in the recorded footfall sound signal was considered as a factor for the force of a cow’s footsteps. Cows with non-infectious claw lesions showed lower SDV than healthy cows and those with infectious claw diseases. This outcome confirmed the hypothesis that the evaluated cows affected by non-infectious claw lesions have a greater sensitivity to pain and demonstrate a less forceful gait pattern. These first results clearly show the potential of using footfall sound analysis for detecting claw lesions.
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Yilmaz, Ö., Ö. Biçici, and E. Karakaya-Bilen. "Rupture of the Prepubic Tendon in a Quadruplet Pregnant Romanov Ewe." Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society 73, no. 4 (January 25, 2023): 5079–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.28261.
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A case of prepubic tendon rupture in a Romanov ewe in which four live lambs were removed by cesarean section is presented. A three-year-old ewe, on the 142±3 days of the second gestation was brought to the Siirt University Animal Health Application and Research Center with a sudden downward expansion of the abdomen during the last one day. When ewe was examined reluctance to locomotion, mild depression, tachycardia, tachypnea and abdominal peculiar enlargement on the left side more than right side were noticed. Because of this case was detected early the general condition was not so bad and clinical examination revealed that swelling was non-painful and non-edematous. Ultrasonography was performed to detect viability of the fetuses, and to eliminate possibility of hernia of the abdominal muscles. Based on anamnesis, abdominal palpation, and clinical examination, this case was diagnosed with prepubic tendon rupture. The prognosis of saving the lives of ewe and fetuses depends on successfully handling all aspects of the case in the last period of pregnancy. Although it is not possible to repair the abdominal integrity surgically in cases of prepubic tendon rupture in the ewe, a planned cesarean operation is indicated to increase the survival rates of both ewe and lambs.
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Malašauskienė, Dovilė, Ramūnas Antanaitis, Vida Juozaitienė, Algimantas Paulauskas, Gediminas Urbonavičius, Mindaugas Televičius, Mingaudas Urbutis, Lina Kajokienė, Ayhan Yilmaz, and Walter Baumgartner. "Impact of Calving Difficulty on Lameness in Dairy Cows." Agriculture 12, no. 7 (July 4, 2022): 960. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12070960.
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The aims of our study were to evaluate the associations between calving difficulty and lameness and their effects on milk yield and quality traits. A total of 4723 calving cases were evaluated for calving difficulty using a 4-point scoring system. Lameness was diagnosed with a visual locomotion score system from 1 to 30 days after calving in 333 fresh dairy cows. Cows were divided into non-lame cows and lame cows. Milk quality traits were registered using Lely Astronaut® A3 milking robots. The normal distribution of all indicators was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk normality test. Normally distributed milk indicators were expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean. Differences between the mean values of their groups were determined using the Fisher’s least significant difference test. We categorized cows by health status, i.e., lame (LA) and non-lame (HL) cows, and according to calving difficulty (CD) (on a 4-point scale: 1—no problem, 2—slight problem, 3—problems requiring assistance, 4—considerable force and extreme difficulty). In the present study, calving difficulty increased the risk of lameness in cows by 2.09-fold (95% CI = 1.644–2.650, p < 0.001). It was found that the mean standard milk yield in fresh dairy cows with calving difficulty was lower (−6.14 kg, p < 0.001) than in the group where no assistance was required at calving. Similarly, herd affected milk fat (%) and the calving process—herd and the interaction between calving difficulty and herd—and lameness impacted the quantity of milk protein and lactose in cows. We found that severe lameness (3–4 points) (3.88–5.92% of cows) became more prevalent in those cows that had dystocia than those that did not (0.27–2.37% of cows).
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Macaire, Claire, Sandrine Hanne-Poujade, Emeline De Azevedo, Jean-Marie Denoix, Virginie Coudry, Sandrine Jacquet, Lélia Bertoni, et al. "Investigation of Thresholds for Asymmetry Indices to Represent the Visual Assessment of Single Limb Lameness by Expert Veterinarians on Horses Trotting in a Straight Line." Animals 12, no. 24 (December 11, 2022): 3498. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani12243498.
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Defining whether a gait asymmetry should be considered as lameness is challenging. Gait analysis systems now provide relatively accurate objective data, but their interpretation remains complex. Thresholds for discriminating between horses that are visually assessed as being lame or sound, as well as thresholds for locating the lame limb with precise sensitivity and specificity are essential for accurate interpretation of asymmetry measures. The goal of this study was to establish the thresholds of asymmetry indices having the best sensitivity and specificity to represent the visual single-limb lameness assessment made by expert veterinarians as part of their routine practice. Horses included in this study were evaluated for locomotor disorders at a clinic and equipped with the EQUISYM® system using inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors. Visual evaluation by expert clinicians allocated horses into five groups: 49 sound, 62 left forelimb lame, 67 right forelimb lame, 23 left hindlimb lame, and 23 right hindlimb lame horses. 1/10 grade lame horses were excluded. Sensors placed on the head (_H), the withers (_W), and the pelvis (_P) provided vertical displacement. Relative difference of minimal (AI-min) and maximal (AI-max) altitudes, and of upward (AI-up) and downward (AI-down) amplitudes between right and left stance phases were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves discriminating the sound horses from each lame limb group revealed the threshold of asymmetry indice associated with the best sensitivity and specificity. AI-up_W had the best ability to discriminate forelimb lame horses from sound horses with thresholds (left: −7%; right: +10%) whose sensitivity was greater than 84% and specificity greater than 88%. AI-up_P and AI-max_P discriminated hindlimb lame horses from sound horses with thresholds (left: −7%; right: +18% and left: −10%; right: +6%) whose sensitivity was greater than 78%, and specificity greater than 82%. Identified thresholds will enable the interpretation of quantitative data from lameness quantification systems. This study is mainly limited by the number of included horses and deserves further investigation with additional data, and similar studies on circles are warranted.
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Chapel, N. M., J. M. Young, and S. A. Wagner. "The effects of flunixin meglumine and hoof trimming on lying behavior, locomotion, and milk production in lame and nonlame lactating dairy cows." Journal of Dairy Science 103, no. 6 (June 2020): 5422–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-16098.
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Eberhart, Nicole, Peter Krawczel, Pero Mijic, Vesna Gantner, Maja Gregic, and Tina Bobic. "Welfare assessment on dairy cattle farms in eastern Croatia." Biotehnologija u stocarstvu 35, no. 1 (2019): 13–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/bah1901013e.
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The objective of this study was to evaluate the welfare status of high-producing Holstein dairy cows on commercial Croatian farms. Lying behavior data was collected from 278 dairy cows across four farms with varying milking parlors and housing systems in eastern Croatia for at least 3 days. Data loggers recording at 1-min intervals recorded behaviors: lying time (min/d), lying bout duration (min/bout), lying bouts (n/d) and laterality of lying. Acceleration data was summarized into lying behaviors for each individual cow. Health scores (udder cleanliness, locomotion, and hock injuries) were also assessed. The univariate procedure was used to generate mean lying behaviors and health scores by farm with a 95% CI. Mean lying time per farm ranged from 11.7 ? 2.7 to 10.4 ? 2.7 h/d. Prevalence of lame cows ranged from 28% to 50%. Heavily soiled udders ranged from 2% to 12%. Prevalence of left hocks with minor to major swelling ranged from 50% to 100%; prevalence of right hocks with minor to major swelling ranged from 45% to 100%. In conclusion, all farms assessed have opportunities to improve overall welfare through increasing udder cleanliness and reducing hock injuries.
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Steen, Margareta, and Lars Roepstorff. "Neurological disorder in two moose calves ( Alces alces L.) naturally infected with Elaphostrongylus alces." Rangifer 10, no. 3 (September 1, 1990): 399. http://dx.doi.org/10.7557/2.10.3.887.
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Two months old moose calves exhibiting neurological signs were videotaped, killed and necropsied. The parasite Elaphostrongylus alces (Steen et al 1989) was found epidurally along the meninges of the spinal cord, and in the muscle faciae of the thoracic and lumbar regions. Progressive inflammatory processes were present in the epineurium, perineurium and endoneurium. Accumulations of inflammatory cells, eosinophils, lymfocytes and macrophages, were found around eggs and larvae and frequently, around regional blood wessels. The neurological disturbances in the moose calves were pronounced, with locomotive abnormalities and ataxia. They showed weakness in the hindquarters, with uncoordinated and swaying movements of the hind legs. In addition, one of the calves was lame on the left forelimb. The muscles of the leg were visibly atrophic. The lesions produced by E. alces at the lumbar nerve roots and in the cauda equina are suggested to be the cause of the clinical signs observed.
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Thomas, Anice D., Karin Orsel, and Edmond Pajor. "527 Late-Breaking: Objective Assessment of Behaviour, Pain, and Lameness Due to Digital Dermatitis in Beef Cattle." Journal of Animal Science 99, Supplement_3 (October 8, 2021): 153–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jas/skab235.282.
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Abstract Digital dermatitis (DD) is an infectious disease affecting cattle feet causing ulcerative and necrotic skin lesions. Most lesions are painful when palpated, some cause lameness and significantly impact animal welfare and productivity. Our objectives were: to determine if changes in behaviour were associated with DD in cattle, to quantify pain associated with DD lesions, and to determine the relationship between pain sensitivity and lameness, and DD and lesion temperature. In total, 255 animals across three feedlots were enrolled. A subset of 120 animals were fitted with accelerometers to record behaviour. Cattle were scored for lameness (Step-Up Locomotion Scoring System), both hind feet scored for DD (M-stage scoring system), the pressure pain threshold of lesions determined using pressure algometry and lesion temperature using thermal images. Animals and feet were classified as DD absent or present. Further, DD present was divided into active or chronic. Behaviour, 5 to 2 days before DD identification was analyzed. Animals with DD ruminated 3% less daily compared to animals without DD (P < 0.05). Further, animals with active lesions ruminated 5% less daily (P < 0.05). Daily inactivity time was greater in animals with DD and the effect of day depended on type of lesion (P < 0.05). Feet without DD lesions withstood 5.6N more pressure (P < 0.001). Active lesions were most sensitive withstanding 8.1N less pressure and chronic lesions 4.1N less pressure than DD absent feet (P < 0.05). Moderate to severely lame animals withstood 3.1N less pressure than sound animals (P < 0.001). Median maximum temperature (MMT) was higher in feet with DD compared to those without (P < 0.001) with MMT being highest in active lesions (P < 0.05). In conclusion, rumination is depressed, and inactivity increased in DD affected animals. Both active and chronic lesions are painful, lame animals have a lower pain threshold and DD is associated with higher lesion temperatures.
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Byrne, Daire T., Donagh P. Berry, Harold Esmonde, Fiona McGovern, Philip Creighton, and Nóirín McHugh. "Infrared thermography as a tool to detect hoof lesions in sheep." Translational Animal Science 3, no. 1 (December 8, 2018): 577–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/tas/txy132.
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Abstract Lameness has a major negative impact on sheep production. The objective of this study was to 1) quantify the repeatability of sheep hoof temperatures estimated using infrared thermography (IRT); 2) determine the relationship between ambient temperature, sheep hoof temperature, and sheep hoof health status; and 3) validate the use of IRT to detect infection in sheep hooves. Three experiments (a repeatability, exploratory, and validation experiment) were conducted over 10 distinct nonconsecutive days. In the repeatability experiment, 30 replicate thermal images were captured from each of the front and back hooves of nine ewes on a single day. In the exploratory experiment, hoof lesion scores, locomotion scores, and hoof thermal images were recorded every day from the same cohort of 18 healthy ewes in addition to a group of lame ewes, which ranged from one to nine ewes on each day. Hoof lesion and locomotion scores were blindly recorded by three independent operators. In the validation experiment, all of the same procedures from the exploratory experiment were applied to a new cohort of 40 ewes across 2 d. The maximum and average temperature of each hoof was extracted from the thermal images. Repeatability of IRT measurements was assessed by partitioning the variance because of ewe and error using mixed models. The relationship between ambient temperature, hoof temperature, and hoof health status was quantified using mixed models. The percentage of hooves correctly classified as healthy (i.e., specificity) and infected (i.e., sensitivity) was calculated for a range of temperature thresholds. Results showed that a small-to-moderate proportion of the IRT-estimated temperature variability in a given hoof was due to error (1.6% to 20.7%). A large temperature difference (8.5 °C) between healthy and infected hooves was also detected. The maximum temperature of infected hooves was unaffected by ambient temperature (P > 0.05), whereas the temperature of healthy hooves was associated with ambient temperature. The best sensitivity (92%) and specificity (91%) results in the exploratory experiment were observed when infected hooves were defined as having a maximum hoof temperature ≥9 °C above the average of the five coldest hooves in the flock on that day. When the same threshold was applied to the validation dataset, a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 78% was achieved, indicating that IRT could have the potential to detect infection in sheep hooves.