Welfare + cattle lameness Flashcards
1
Q
How can we tell a cow is in pain?
A
- Minimise pain by - reduce activity, lying down, reduce load, posture
- Clinical signs - HR, RR, temp, food intake BW, mental status
- Communicate pain = vocalisation + facial expression
2
Q
What is seen with mobility of lame cattle?
A
- Reduction in weight bearing of affected limbs
- Arching of spine
- Hanging / nodding head as walking
- Shortened stride length
- Adduct / Abduct hind limb
- Paddling + shuffling on feet
- Unwilling to walk
3
Q
How much less milk does a lame cow give?
A
- 270-574kg loss of milk per lactation
4
Q
Why does DMI fall in lame cows?
A
- Pain + reluctance to walk to feed barrier
- Increase lying times
- Reduced time spent eating
- Less meals per day
5
Q
How does lameness affect fertility?
A
- Delayed cyclicity
- Weak oestrus behaviour
- Prolonged calving to 1st service
- Prolonged calving to conception
- Increased number serves per conception
6
Q
How does lameness affect the 5 freedoms?
A
- Freedom from hunger and thirst = Reduced feed intakes
- Freedom from discomfort =
-Expected to continue living in the herd
-Housed concrete
-Standing times around milking, feeding
-Cubicles inadequate
-Walk on farm tracks - Freedom from pain injury and disease = Pain chronic and continuous
- Freedom to express normal behaviour = Social status changes bullying, competition for feed and cubicles
- Freedom from fear/ distress = Element of fear/distress associated with the diseased state
7
Q
What are Defra welfare codes?
A
- Very lame cattle should be off concrete in bedded pen
- If lame cows don’t respond to Tx, vet should be called
- If lame animal does not respond to Vet Tx, they should be culled
8
Q
How can lameness be prevented / reduced?
A
- Genetics
- Housing
- Nutrition
- Foot trimming
- Foot bathing
- Educate, research
9
Q
How should lameness be treated?
A
- Early identification
- Correct diagnosis + treatment
- Pain management
10
Q
How is early identification of lameness carried ot?
A
Mobility scoring
11
Q
What affects lying times?
A
- Overstocking
- Cubicle number
- Cubicle size
- Condition of cubicles
- Bedding
- Milking routine
- Feed systems
12
Q
How is the cow comfort quotient worked out?
A
No. cows using cubicles correctly
______________________________________
No. cows interacting with cubicles
13
Q
A