Standing behavior and sole horn lesions: A prospective observational longitudinal study

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Science
• Dairy Cattle Management

Background:

• Previous studies on research farms suggested a link between increased standing time around calving and sole lesions in dairy cattle.
• The relationship between standing behavior and the development of sole hemorrhages and sole ulcers in commercial dairy herds required further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the association between standing behavior and the incidence of sole hemorrhages and sole ulcers in commercial dairy herds.
• To determine if standing time and standing bout duration before, around, and after calving influence the risk of developing these hoof lesions.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal observational study involving 8 commercial dairy herds.
• Data loggers measured standing behavior (time and bout duration) in cows before, around, and after calving.
• Hoof lesions, including sole hemorrhages and sole ulcers, were recorded during postpartum hoof trimming.
• Mixed-effect logistic regression models analyzed the risk of lesions associated with standing behavior, controlling for covariates.

Main Results:

• No association was found between standing behavior before or around calving and the development of sole hemorrhages or sole ulcers.
• Longer standing time and longer standing bouts after calving were associated with increased odds of sole hemorrhages and sole ulcers.
• An increase in standing bout duration from before to after calving also increased the odds of developing these lesions.
• Animals with pre-existing sole horn or white line lesions had significantly higher odds of lameness post-calving.

Conclusions:

• Standing behavior after calving, specifically increased standing time and bout duration, is a risk factor for sole hemorrhages and sole ulcers in dairy cows.
• Management strategies aimed at reducing prolonged standing after calving may help mitigate the incidence of these common hoof lesions.
• Early lactation management is crucial for dairy cow hoof health.