Open AccessDairy cattle lameness prevalence, causes and risk factors in selected farms of southern Ethiopia
Author(s) -
Desie Sheferaw,
Rahmeto Abebe,
Bekele Megersa,
Kebede Amenu,
Fufa Abunna,
Alemayehu Regassa,
Yifat Denbarga,
Abebaw Fekadu,
Berhanu Mekibib,
Eliyas Rebuma,
Ephrem Abera,
Getnet Sefiw,
Debele Hordofa,
Amanuel Ashebo,
Firaol Wako
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
ethiopian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2221-5034
pISSN - 1683-6324
DOI - 10.4314/evj.v25i2.3
Subject(s) - lameness , medicine , hoof , dairy cattle , veterinary medicine , pregnancy , zoology , biology , surgery , genetics , anatomy
A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to December 2019 to estimate the prevalence of lameness in dairy cows, to assess the causes and associated risk factors in southern Ethiopia. A total of 2009 dairy cows were visually and clinically examined, and the overall prevalence of lameness was found to be 14. 1% (95% CI=12.7-15.7). The prevalence of lameness was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in Arsi Negelle, Yirgalem, and Wolaita Sodo than in Wondo Genet and Hawassa. The prevalence of lameness was also associated with the stages of pregnancy and parity (P < 0.05). Generally, the prevalence of lameness in dairy cows was increasing with the increase in parity and stage of pregnancy. The main abnormalities observed in this study were hooves overgrowth (6%), lesions between hooves (4%), lesions on legs (2.2%), trauma (0.6%), arthritis (0.5%), and a sole ulcer (0.3%). Most of these abnormalities were mainly due to faulty management. Hence, based on this finding it is recommended that hoof management and trimming are very essential components of lameness control. Furthermore, early detection and treatment of lame cows; training of the owners on hoof management; and improvement of the housing are helpful to keep lameness at a lower level.