Association between different digital dermatitis M-stages (M0, M2 and M4) and lying behavior of dairy cows (Bos taurus).

Abstract

Bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) is multifactorial, polymicrobial and a painful skin disease in cattle. BDD causes lameness, which affects animal welfare, reproductive performance and milk production. Treatment costs and economic losses are high. Because treatment is not effective enough yet, preventive measures are of great importance. The aim of the study is to evaluate the associations between different digital dermatitis M-stages and lying behavior of dairy cows. M-stages are scored in the milking parlor and compared with management variables (hoof health management, manure slider, grazing) and lying behavior (lying bouts, times rising). Statistical analysis was performed with multivariable logistic regression and multivariable linear regression (R studio). Prevalence was 3.6% for acute lesions (M2), 38.9% for chronic lesions (M4), and 46.3% of the feet were declared healthy (M0). Management factors were compared with M00 (healthy feet), M2x (one feet with an acute lesion), M44 (two feet with chronic lesions). Overstocking resulted in an odds ratio of 24.15 (95%CI 8.83 – 78.10) for M2x cows compared with M00 cows. Treatment of the hoof trimmer more than twice a year resulted in an odds ratio of 7.39 (95%CI 4.04 - 7.38) for M44 cows compared with M00 cows. Lying behavior was compared with M00, M2x, M44 and M40 (one foot healthy and one feet M4). Mean lying time was associated with M2x (P-value 0.031, 95%CI -0.12 – -0.01) the week before the farm visit and (P-value 0.0085, 95%CI -0.12 – -0.019) the week after the farm visit. Lying time was also associated with primiparous cows (P-value 0.015, 95%CI 0.0068 – 0.062). Mean number of rises was associated with herd 2 (P-value 0.013, 95%CI 0.56 – 4.64) a week before the farm visit, herd 2 (P-value 0.00054, 95%CI 1.39 – 4.83) a week after the farm visit and M2x cows (P-value 0.026; 95%CI -6.22 – -0.44). Mean duration of a lying bout was associated with herd 2 (P-value 0.0020; 95%CI -0.020 – -0.0045) the week before the farm visit, and (P-value 0.00053; 95%CI -0.019 – -0.0055) a week after the farm visit.