Nuss Karl, Nogler Simon, Lüchinger Isabelle, Hässig Michael, Pieper Laura, Knubben-Schweizer Gabriela
Abteilung für Nutztierchirurgie, Departement für Nutztiere, Vetsuisse-Fakultät der Universität Zürich.
Zentrum für Nutztierdiagnostik, Vetsuisse-Fakultät der Universität Zürich.
Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere. 2020 Oct;48(5):301-309. doi: 10.1055/a-1245-5212. Epub 2020 Oct 20.
Claw health and carpal and tarsal lesions were assessed in a dairy herd during the transition from a tie-stall to a free-stall barn. The stress associated with the change in housing was also evaluated.
The initial size of the herd was 57 dairy cows, which were evaluated 4 times, 4-5 months apart, in a hoof-trimming chute. Claw horn and skin lesions of the foot were considered separately. The carpi and hocks were assessed for hair loss and skin lesions, and the hocks were also evaluated for swelling. Tail hair samples were collected from all cows during the second visit, and the cortisol concentration of 3 different sections of the hair was measured.
The high prevalence of digital dermatitis and other skin lesions in the hind legs seen in the tie-stall barn (49 %) did not change significantly during the 14-month study period and was 46 % at the last visit. Heel horn erosions of the hind feet were rare in the tie-stall barn (14 %), but had a prevalence of 100 % at the end of the study. There was a trend for a decrease in the prevalence of other claw horn lesions. The prevalence and severity of carpal and hock lesions decreased significantly in the free-stall barn. Compared to values in cows at the tie-stall barn, the hair cortisol concentration was significantly higher during the transition period and at the free-stall barn.
The target variables were subjected to a multitude of factors but it can be assumed that the more comfortable lying surface in the free-stall barn had the most significant effect on carpal and tarsal joint health. The fluctuating prevalence of claw horn lesions indicates that claws health should be monitored closely. The increase in hair cortisol concentration after the transition to the free-stall barn could imply increased stress, but washout of cortisol in more distal hair segments could not be ruled out.
The results of the present report cannot be directly applied to other herds; however, the significance of cow comfort is highlighted by the presence of fewer carpal and hock lesions. The significant increase in the prevalence of heel horn erosions indicates that the horn capsule is compromised under free-stall conditions.
在一个奶牛群从栓系式牛舍向散栏式牛舍转变的过程中，对其蹄部健康以及腕关节和跗关节病变进行评估。同时也评估了与牛舍变化相关的应激情况。
牛群初始规模为57头奶牛，在修蹄斜槽中每隔4 - 5个月进行4次评估。分别考虑蹄部的蹄角质和皮肤病变。对腕关节和跗关节评估脱毛和皮肤病变情况，对跗关节还评估肿胀情况。在第二次检查时从所有奶牛采集尾毛样本，并测量毛发三个不同部位的皮质醇浓度。
在栓系式牛舍中后肢出现的指皮炎和其他皮肤病变的高患病率（49%）在为期14个月的研究期间没有显著变化，在最后一次检查时为46%。后蹄的蹄跟角质糜烂在栓系式牛舍中很少见（14%），但在研究结束时患病率达100%。其他蹄角质病变的患病率有下降趋势。散栏式牛舍中腕关节和跗关节病变的患病率和严重程度显著降低。与栓系式牛舍中的奶牛相比，过渡期和散栏式牛舍中的奶牛毛发皮质醇浓度显著更高。
目标变量受到多种因素影响，但可以推测散栏式牛舍中更舒适的躺卧表面对腕关节和跗关节健康影响最为显著。蹄角质病变患病率的波动表明应密切监测蹄部健康。向散栏式牛舍转变后毛发皮质醇浓度升高可能意味着应激增加，但不能排除皮质醇在更远端毛发部位被清除的情况。
本报告结果不能直接应用于其他牛群；然而，腕关节和跗关节病变较少凸显了奶牛舒适度的重要性。蹄跟角质糜烂患病率的显著增加表明在散栏式饲养条件下蹄角质受到损害。
