Season effect in the occurrence of claw diseases in dairy cattle

Abstract

Claw diseases in cattle present different factors which contribute to its occurrence. At the present study, it was evaluated the claw diseases occurrence in cows and heifers from two farms of Minas Gerais state after rainy and dry periods. Cows kept in stables during dry period showed claw diseases more frequently. Claw diseases observed in these animals were heel erosion (group 1), digital dermatitis, interdigital dermatitis, and interdigital hyperplasia (group 2). Grazing cows during all year presented a decrease on the occurrence of claw diseases in the dry period, which demonstrated a relationship among lesions from groups 1 and 3 (sole hemorrhage, white line disease and double sole) and the rain rate. Hygienic conditions of installations and paddocks also contributed to the occurrence of claw diseases in the animals.