| dc.description.abstract | The goal of this prevalence study was to determine the prevalence of digital dermatitis, interdigital hyperplasia and interdigital necrobacillosis on farms in the Netherlands. This is relevant due to the effects of lameness, a common symptom of these three diseases, on animal welfare and economic results. The data were collected within a clinical trial, required for the authorisation of a new topical treatment for digital dermatitis, set in October to December of 2013. Trained veterinary students collected data for this paper. The front and hind claws of each cow participating in the trial were inspected whilst the cow was in a trimming chute. Herds preferably contained over 100 cows, had a herd digital dermatitis prevalence level of 20% or more, were housed in cubicle systems, were of the Holstein Friesian breed and no preventive claw treatment on herd-level was executed in the three weeks prior to the trial. After visiting four farms, the goal of inspecting at least 300 cows was met, with a total of 373 animals. Prevalence was calculated per farm and an overall prevalence was calculated after visiting all four farms for each disease. A 95% confidence interval was calculated for each disease to establish whether the results differed significantly from values found in literature. Herd prevalence for digital dermatitis varied from 23.0% to 59.3%. For interdigital necrobacillosis, values varied from 0.0% to 1.6%. Interdigital hyperplasia varied in herd prevalence from 5.7% to 12.9%. The overall prevalence of digital dermatitis, interdigital necrobacillosis and interdigital hyperplasia was 40.8%, 1.1% and 8.3%, respectively. The results of interdigital hyperplasia did not differ significantly from those found in literature, the results of digital dermatitis and interdigital necrobacillosis did. | |
