Evaluation of Mastitis Impact on Lameness and Digital Lesions in Dairy Cows

Objective- This current study was done to find any correlation between clinical mastitis and lameness occurrence and incidence in dairy farms. Design- This prospective field trial was done on a case control study basis. Cows were divided into two mastitis and control group and lameness recorded and compared in both groups. Procedures- This current study was done during 9 months in a dairy herd with 800 milking cows. The mastitis scoring system was based on the International Dairy Federation definitions of mastitis severity from one to three. All cows were trimmed two times annually and also high locomotion score, lame and long toe cows referred for possible inspection and treatment. Records of sole ulcer (SU), white line disease (WLD), Toe Ulcer (TU), heel erosion (HE), digital dermatitis (DD) and interdigital necrobacillosis (INB) were assessed in this study. Data of the lesions up to three months after occurrence of mastitis was followed. 543 cows affected with mastitis were allocated to treatment and the same amount of the cows that didn’t show any mastitis during past three month allocated to control group. Results- Occurrence of mastitis reduce incidence of digital dermatitis significantly. Lameness except digital dermatitis were higher in mastitis group than control group (P<0.05). Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- Mastitis can play a role in occurrence of claw horn lesions (CHL) and any control program of lameness in the herds with high incidence of CHL should precede with control program of other predisposing or causative factors of this condition. Mastitis besides other infectious causes as a predisposing factor can play a significant role on lameness.