PHOTO: RUUD PLOEG FOTOGRAFIE
Different claw trimming meth- ods include the functional claw trimming or Dutch method, the White Line method, the White Line Atlas method and the Kansas method.
Corrective vs preventive Corrective claw trimming is conducted to control infectious claw lesions, such as digital dermatitis, by removing loose and damaged claw horn tissue and modifying the interdigital cleft to decrease exposure to manure slurry. On the other hand, preventive claw trimming is performed to correct claw horn overgrowth, thereby re-establishing appropriate distri- bution of the cow’s body weight within and between the claws of each foot. In addition, preventive claw trimming re- duces the likelihood of lameness occurrence during the high-risk periods such as lactation.
Claw heath and production Claw overgrowth occurs when horn production happens at a faster rate than it wears; this affects the weight bearing within and between the claws. Claw trimming is used to correct claw overgrowth and alterations in weight bearing by reducing the dorsal wall length and creating uniformity in sole thickness of each claw, which in turn reduces lameness prevalence. Claw trimming is also performed to mitigate the pain associated with sole ulcer, sole haemorrhage, white line disease and toe ulcers, by removing the affected horn while preserving the healthy parts. Furthermore, claw trimming on farms endemic for digital dermatitis lowers the prevalence of sole ulcer, sole haemorrhage, white line disease, toe ulcers and double sole during lactation by restoring a proper claw angle, heel height and weight bearing. It is notable that long intervals between trimmings are associated with higher prev- alence of digital dermatitis. Milk yield decreases significantly in the short term after claw trimming due to the stress-re- lated changes in dairy cows following the claw trimming procedure, especially in the absence of pain management.
30 ▶ DAIRY GLOBAL | Volume 9, No. 3, 2022
However, different studies have reported significant increases in long-term milk yield after claw trimming, which is due to amended locomotion score, improved behavioural activity linked to production, as well as physiological response to alleviate stress in the affected animals.
Frequency of claw trimming The highest frequency of lameness is usually between the second and fifth months of lactation; therefore, preventive claw trimming at dry-off and again at days in milk 40 to 60 decreases lameness prevalence during this period. Further- more, claw trimming before dry-off results in lower odds of lameness and reduced risk of sole ulcers in the subsequent lactation. A few studies showed lower levels of sole ulcer, sole haemorrhage, white line disease and toe ulcers in farms where cows underwent preventive claw trimming twice dur- ing lactation compared to farms where the practice was once per lactation.
Conclusion Lameness is a multifactorial condition affecting health and welfare in dairy cattle. The lack of appropriate functional claw trimming is one of the most common causes of lameness. Functional claw trimming restores the physiological shape of the claws and distributes weight properly between the claws and over the claw weight-bearing surface. In addition, claw trimming allows closer examination of the claws for early signs of lameness. However, it is important not to overtrim the claws and to keep trimming tools clean. Furthermore, it is critical to identify the appropriate timing and claw trimming technique that results in greater reduction in claw lesions under various management systems.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
