Gradual Growth of Several Claw Traits and Claw Lesions in Dairy Cows after Hoof Trimming

Găvan Constantin* and Riza Mihaela

Agriculture Research and Development Station Șimnic, City Craiova, Romania *Corresponding author: Găvan Constantin, Agriculture Research and Development Station Șimnic – Craiova, Șoseau Bălcești, number 54, Dolj county, Romania, Tel: +400251417534; Email: scda_simnic@yahoo.com

Introduction

In general, claw problems have become more serious since the introduction of loose housing systems. Although improvements in housing systems and nutrition have been made, incidence of claw lesions remain at a high level [1, 2]. Prevalence of claw problems varies considerably among farms or regions. In extended studies, the number of dairy cows having claw lesions was estimated to be 70-85% [3, 1, 4]. Recently, Jury, et al. [5] reported a high herd and cow prevalence of heel horn erosion of 92.9%, and 64.7% respectively in swiss cattle farms.

The bovine claw capsule is in a continuous process of gradual growth and gradual wear and tear. In normal conditions, horn growth and wear occur at approximately equal [6]. In adverse conditions, when cows are housed on concrete floors, claw conformation changes.

Morphologies measurements and histological physical characteristics have been reported as being potential indicators of claw quality [7, 8]. The horn capsule of the claw consists of tubular, inter-tubular and laminar horn cells (keratin), which determine the structural strength, biomechanical behavior, and resistance of claws to external stressors [9] claw morphology is described by claw angle, toe length, claw width, claw diagonal, claw height and heel height. The size and shape of claws are important in absorbing the shock associated with locomotion and weight distribution of the cows [10, 11, 1]. Several claw defects have been described in dairy cattle [1, 12].

The International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) in January 2020, published foot and claw disorders that can be used for identification (ICAR.org) [13].

Claw color is under investigation for an association with claw quality [14, 15, 16].

Now, in dairy farms, cows are predominantly housed in free stalls with concrete alleyways. On hard surface horn growth is accelerated [17] and the abrasiveness of concrete induces increased wear and tear [18].

The most important part of claw health management has and still does involve the hoof trimming of cows. Trimming can be an effective method for the treatment of lame cows, and for preventing some forms of claw horn lesions developing their clinical manifestations.

The large deterioration in claw health during the first lactation, the cumulative nature of claw lesions between lactations and high recurrence of lameness, makes its prevention in heifer vital to maximize the longevity of animals [19].

In this study we performed an in depth monitoring of claw traits and development of interdigital dermatitis, heel erosion and digital dermatitis in primiparous and multiparous Holstein Friesian cows housed on solid concrete flooring system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of solid concrete floor and changes in several claw shape measurements over time. In addition lesion development of interdigital dermatitis, heel erosion and digital dermatitis was investigated in both rear feet for 3 months after hoof trimming.

Materials and Methods

This study was done in the research dairy from of Agricultural Research and Development Station (ARDS) Simnic – Craiova, Romania. The dairy farm has a herd size of 280 Holstein Friesian animals and dairy cows produced an average 9440 kg of milk per 305 days lactation with year around calving.

All procedures were carried out in compliance with EU and national legislation.

All the cows at the farm are kept in the pens with concrete alleys. The experimental cows (n=38) were selected between November 2021 to April 2022 from 62 cows kept under the same roof. The management conditions were similar.

Water and partially mixed ration were available ad libitum. The ration formulation was according NRC nutrient requirements (NRC 2001).

The lactating cows were milked in a classic DeLaval milking system (with 10 milking units).

The cows entered the experiment at 90-100 days in milk (DIM), when they were about to be trimmed according to standard management procedures.

Criteria for inclusion to the experiment were:

• Clinical healthy cows;
• Not be lame cows (locomotion score 2 or less on the 5-point scale);
• Claws had enough for trimming.

Parties of the cows ranged from 1 to 4. Every 2 weeks a footbath containing a solution of formalin or formalin- cooper sulfate was placed in their path for 2 days.

Results

In the step 1 of the two trimming the medial toe length was assessed at 7.17 – 7.19 cm for primiparous cows and 7.73 – 7.80 cm for multiparous cows. The sole depth at the toe was reduced to 5-7 mm, until the continuity of the white line was restored.

In the step 2 the priority was to correct balance as much as possible without creativity thin sales in lateral toes. It is important to leave adequate sole depth on the lateral hind claw to protect heel from trauma, bruising and subsequent white line disease.

Step 3, in Hollow trimming method, involves modelling of the sole ulcer predisposition site (Table 1), by digging out 3-5 mm and making a concave area. Also digging out between the toes was made as an aid in slurry manure clearance and to reduce sole bruising at the sole ulcer predisposition site. The Hollow trimming method may be beneficial to maximize the time this area remains non-weight bearing. In standard Dutch method the soles were made flat.

Results of measurements in a total of 38 cows are reported in lateral hind claws (Table 2) for both trimming methods. In STD method the means of lateral toe length, claw width, claw diagonal, claw height, heel height, and claw angle were 7.17 ± 0.1 cm, 5.14 ± 0.1 cm, 13.28 ± 0.26 cm, 6.10 ± 0.14 cm, 4.15 ± 0.12 cm and 45.87° respectively, for primiparous cows. For multiparous cows in STD method the same claw traits measurements were, 7.80 ± 0.19 cm, 5.76 ± 0.20 cm, 13.82 ± 0.15 cm, 6.74 ± 0.17 cm and 48.82° ± 0.98° respectively.

In HOL trimming method the means of lateral toe length, toe width, toe diagonal, toe height, heel height and toe angle in primiparous cows were: 7.19 ± 0.10 cm, 5.10 ± 0.11 cm,

13.32 ± 0.26 cm, 6.18 ± 0.15 cm, 4.26 ± 0.10 cm and 47.44° ± 1.81° respectively. For the multiparous the same claw traits measurements were: 7.73 ± 0.18 cm, 5.84 ± 0.12 cm, 13.87 ± 0.39 cm, 6.70 ± 0.32 cm, 4.86 ± 0.19 cm and 49.1° ± 0.87° respectively.

No differences were detected in claw shape among the 2 trimming methods at the day of trimming (day 0 of measurements, Table 2).

Monthly changes in claw right lateral hind traits after trimming of primiparous cows are shown in Table 3.

Monthly changes in claw right lateral hind traits after trimming of multiparous cows are shown in table 4.

Table 4: Monthly changes in claw right lateral hind traits after trimming of multiparous cows After trimming all measurements in claw traits increased. In primiparous cows the highest measurements in the claw traits were recorded in HOL trimming method, after 3 months, except for claw width (table 3). In multiparous cows the highest measurements in the claw traits were recorded in HOL trimming method, after 3 months, except for tow length (Table 4).

The effect of solid concrete floor on claw horn growth, wear and net growth is shown in Table 5 and table 6. Rates of growth and net growth changed over time. The means for horn growth and wear ranged between 3.8 mm/month to 4.1 mm/month and 1.7 to 1.9 mm/month, respectively in primiparous cows (Table 5).

The means for horn growth and horn wear ranged between 4.5 to 4.9 mm/month and 2.1 to 2.22 mm/month respectively in multiparous cows (Table 6). These changes resulted in a net horn growth varying between 2.0 and 2.3 mm/month in primiparous cows and between 2.4 to 2.7 mm/month multiparous cows.

Discussion

Hind claws were subjected to claw inspection because lesions are predominantly present in hind claw. Measurements of one hind claw are representative for estimating the size of hind claws [22]. Trantre and Morris [23] found no difference in horn growth between the lateral and medial hind claw.

Boelling and Pollott reported conclusive evidence that claw traits recorded on only one claw traits recorded on only one claw of one hind foot gave a representative picture of both claws on both hind feet. Hoof trimming in both trimming methods was done after a period of metabolic stress and negative energy balance [24]. If routine trimmings are performed once per year the incidence of too long claws, acute toe angles, and overgrown capsules, which could lead to an incorrect weight distribution are more frequent than if trimming were performed twice a year [3].

Claw trimming has been shown to increase the milk yield of both primiparous and multiparous dairy cow when comparing the yield before and after trimming [25].

In this study, none of the claw dimensions was influenced by trimming method. Similar results were reported by Ouweltjes et al. [16].

Lesions of IDHE were less sever after 1 month after trimming and developed gradually over time in both trimming methods used for primiparous or multiparous cows. Although deep grooves are cut out, it takes some time before the loss of heel horn tissue is fully covered. Trimming is highly advisable to restore claws from heel horn damage [26].

Digital dermatitis generally been recognized as a widely occurring infectious disease, and much work has been performed to clarify the etiology and risk and risk factors involved (reviewed by Berry et al., 2004 [27]). In this study lesions of DD were investigated 3 months after trimming and examined development of each disease stages. This disease cannot be controlled without repeated antibiotic treatment [28]. The dairy herd in this study received non antibiotic footbath without significant effect.

Conclusions

No differences in claw traits measurements were found between the 2 trimming methods used for primiparous or multiparous cows kept on solid concrete floor.

Lesions of IDHE increased gradually over time.

Classical lesions of DD are long lasting and insensitive to claw trimming and frequent use of footbaths.

The basic principles of hoof trimming have not changed for more 30 years and refinements are needed in the light of changes made to management systems. A team approach with vets, professional hoof trimmers, farmers, nutritionists, all together can improve the health and welfare of dairy cows.