Lameness
Lameness in dairy cows is a significant health and welfare problem impacting on efficient dairy production - 1 in 4 cows are identifiable lame on any one day.
Despite this, primary research investigating lameness has lagged behind that of similarly important endemic diseases. Considerable amount of information currently used to treat and prevent lameness on-farm is received wisdom unsubstantiated by experimental research.
Current Research
Our research is aimed at addressing knowledge gaps in the our current understanding of the aetiopathogenesis, treatment and prevention of lameness in dairy cows with a particular focus on the claw horn lesions (sole haemorrhage and ulceration and white line disease). Current projects include epidemiological and anatomical investigations into the association between body condition score and lameness, focusing on the role of the digital cushion, and on-farm clinical trials to further our understanding of the most appropriate treatments for claw horn lesions.
Impact
We will be providing industry guidelines on the management of body condition score in early lactation to reduce the risk of lameness and adding to the evidence base for approaches to the prevention and treatment of this important and prevalent condition.
Latest publications
- Miguel-Pacheco, GG, HJ Thomas, J Kaler, J Craigon and JN Huxley (2016). “Effects of lameness treatment for claw horn lesions on lying behaviour in dairy cows”. Applied Animal Behavioural Science, 179: 11-16.
- Newsome R, MJ Green, NJ Bell, MGG Chagunda, CS Mason, CJ Sturrock, HR Whay and JN Huxley (2016). “Linking bone development on the caudal aspect of the distal phalanx with lameness during life”. Journal of Dairy Science, 99: 4512-4525.
- Thomas HJ, JG Remnant, NJ Bollard, A Burrows, HR Whay, NJ Bell, C Mason and JN Huxley (2016). “Recovery of chronically lame dairy cows following treatment for claw horn lesions: A randomised controlled trial”. Veterinary Record, DOI: 10.1136/vr.103394.
Further publications
- Archer SC, R Newsome, H Dibble, MG Chagunda, CS Mason and JN Huxley (2015). “Claw length recommendations for dairy cow foot trimming”. Veterinary Records, DOI: 10.1136/vr.103197
- Somers JR, JN Huxley, I Lorenz, ML Doherty and L O’Grady (2015). “The effect of lameness before and during the breeding season on fertility in 10 pasture-based Irish dairy herds”. Irish Veterinary Journal, 68 (4): DOI: 10.1186/s13620-015-0043-4
- Maxwell OJR, CD Hudson and JN Huxley (2015). “Effect of early lactation foot trimming in lame and non-lame dairy heifers: a randomized controlled trial”. Veterinary Record, DOI: 10.1136/vr.103155.
- Thomas HJ, GG Miguel-Pacheco, NJ Bollard, SC Archer, NJ Bell, C Mason, OJR Maxwell, JG Remnant, P Sleeman, HR Whay and JN Huxley (2015). “Evaluation of treatments for claw horn lesions in dairy cows in a randomized controlled trial”. Journal of Dairy Science, 98 (7): 4477-4486. DOI: 10.3168/jds.2014-8982
- Randall LV, MJ Green, MGG Chagunda, C Mason, LE Green, SC Archer and JN Huxley (2015). “Low body condition predisposed cattle to lameness: An 8 year study of one dairy herd”. Journal of Dairy Science, 98 (6): 3766-3777. DOI: 10.3168/jds.2014-8863
- Maxwell OJR, GG Miguel-Pacheco, R Newsome, LV Randall, JG Remnant, HJ Thomas and JN Huxley (2015). “Lameness in cattle: research-based outcomes”. In Practice, 37: 127-138 DOI:10.1136/inp.h897
- Lim PY, JN Huxley, JA Willshire, MJ Green, AR Othman and J Kaler (2015). "Unravelling the temporal association between lameness and body condition score in dairy cattle using a multistate modelling approach" Preventative Veterinary Medicine, 118 (4): 370-377. DOI:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.12.015
- Horseman, SV, EJ Roe, JN Huxley, NJ Bell, CD Mason and HR Whay (2014). “The use of in-depth interviews to understand the process of treating lame dairy cows from the farmers’ perspective”. Animal Welfare, 23: 157-165. DOI: 10.7120/09627286.23.2.157
- Miguel-Pacheco, G, J Kaler, J Remnant, L Cheyne, C Abbot, AP French, T Pridmore and JN Huxley (2014). “Behavioural changes in dairy cows with lameness in an automatic milking system in the UK”. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 150: 1-8; DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.11.003.
- Green LE, JN Huxley, C Banks and MJ Green (2014). “Temporal associations between low body condition score, lameness and milk yield in a UK dairy herd”. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 113: 63-71; DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2013.10.009.