For the modern dairy cow, advances in genetics and breeding for productivity has resulted in an increasing incidence of health disorders and reduced longevity. One of the most important health problems is lameness, which has led to significant economic, production and welfare consequences. A reduction in lameness will improve the economic future of the dairy industry through increased profitability and decreased welfare-related problems. Although positive attempts have been made by researchers and the industry towards improving lameness, it has remained a persistent ailment for dairy farmers. Further analysis of the genetic and environmental factors influencing lameness is warranted so that selection indices and management practices can be modified leading to improved health and welfare of the dairy cow. Several factors that cause dairy cow lameness have been implicated. I reviewed previous studies on these causative factors as well as the association between lameness, longevity and fertility. It has also been suggested that lameness affects milk production of dairy cows, but reports on the association between lameness and daily milk yield of cows have varied among researchers. Using locomotion score data on 248 cows from the Langhill herd, I investigated the relationship between locomotion score which has a high genetic correlation with lameness and various explanatory variables and also the association between daily milk yield and lameness. The study revealed that the most significant factors affecting locomotion are management regime (high concentrate feed and all year indoor housing; low concentrate feed and outdoors in summer) and time of year when cows are locomotion scored. It also showed that lameness adversely affects the milk yield of later lactation cows, and that high yielding cows are more susceptible to lameness. Housing environment plays a significant role in the health and welfare of dairy cows. With national type evaluation records, I estimated the association between housing systems and lameness-related type traits as well as genetic parameters for the locomotion traits. The analysis indicated that cows kept at pasture had favourable linear and composite type trait scores compared with cows in cubicles, straw yards and slatted floors or loafing yards. Locomotion score had strong genetic and phenotypic correlations with the leg and feet composite. Bone quality, which is a new trait in the UK type classification scheme, was moderately heritable (0.23) and had a moderate and positive genetic association with locomotion and leg and feet composite. This suggests that breeding for flatter, more refined bones could reduce locomotion disorders and help improve the longevity of the dairy cow. Analysis of national data again showed reduced incidence of digital dermatitis (DD) for cows at pasture and those with flatter, more refined bones, higher locomotion score and better leg and feet composite. Estimates of genetic parameters indicated heritable variation of DD among cows and moderate genetic associations between DD and production traits and longevity. Incorporating DD in future selection indices will be useful for increased productive life. Using random regression, I analysed changes in type traits associated with lameness (locomotion, rear legs, side view, foot angle and leg and feet composite) in relation to time (months) that cows had spent in cubicles before being classified. The general trend supported the fact that cubicle housing is unfavourable to these traits. There was significant evidence of a genotype x environment interaction, suggesting variation between bulls in the sensitivity of their daughters to cubicle housing with time.

A claudicação é a expressão clínica de dor ou desconforto e é uma das principais, se não a principal limitação à questão de bem estar animal em pecuária leiteira, mundialmente. Este trabalho objetivou verificar se o tratamento de doenças digitais de vacas com claudicação severa melhora, em curto prazo, a locomoção e o comportamento. Foram utilizadas 34 vacas leiteiras com claudicação severa. Escores de locomoção foram conferidos às vacas, no dia anterior e no 6º dia após o tratamento. As observações comportamentais foram realizadas no dia anterior e um, seis e oito dias após o tratamento de doenças digitais. As vacas foram observadas durante a parte diurna do dia para estimar as proporções de tempo gasto nas atividades ingestivas: ruminação, alimentação, sem atividade mastigatória (descansando) e em atividades posturais: deitadas e em pé. Os dados comportamentais foram submetidos à análise de variância, procedimento Mixed do SAS ®, de acordo com um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com medidas repetidas no tempo, considerando-se no modelo o efeito de dia, raça, tipo de lesão, idade, dias em lactação, posição e número de membros com lesão. O tratamento melhorou o escore de locomoção uma semana após o tratamento, mas não houve alterações nas proporções dos tempos despendidos para as atividades comportamentais observadas. Embora o tratamento tenha melhorado o escore de locomoção, o comportamento animal não foi alterado. / Lameness can cause discomfort and pain which may impair behavior and welfare. This study aimed to verify if the corrective trimming on cows with severe claudication improves the locomotion and behavior. Thirty-four lactating Jersey and Holstein cows with severe lameness problems were used. Cows were scored for lameness on day -1 (previous) and 6 after trimming according to a 5-point scale, while behavior was evaluated on days -1 (previous) and on days 1, 6 and 8 following trimming. Cows were observed during the diurnal part of the day and the proportions of time spent in ingestive behavior: ruminating, feeding and resting (no chewing activity) as well as in posture lying or standing were registered. Behavior data was submitted to variance analysis using the Mixed procedure of SAS® according to a completely randomized design with repeated measurements, considering in the model the effect of day, breed, type of lesion, age, days in milk, number and position of locomotion members with lesion. Lameness score was reduced one week after treatment. The treatment improved the lameness score a week after treatment, but there was no change in the proportions of time spent in the behavioral activities. Despite the improvement on lameness score, trimming did not change expressively the behavior of lactating cows in a short time period.

A claudicação é a expressão clínica de dor ou desconforto e é uma das principais, se não a principal limitação à questão de bem estar animal em pecuária leiteira, mundialmente. Este trabalho objetivou verificar se o tratamento de doenças digitais de vacas com claudicação severa melhora, em curto prazo, a locomoção e o comportamento. Foram utilizadas 34 vacas leiteiras com claudicação severa. Escores de locomoção foram conferidos às vacas, no dia anterior e no 6º dia após o tratamento. As observações comportamentais foram realizadas no dia anterior e um, seis e oito dias após o tratamento de doenças digitais. As vacas foram observadas durante a parte diurna do dia para estimar as proporções de tempo gasto nas atividades ingestivas: ruminação, alimentação, sem atividade mastigatória (descansando) e em atividades posturais: deitadas e em pé. Os dados comportamentais foram submetidos à análise de variância, procedimento Mixed do SAS ®, de acordo com um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com medidas repetidas no tempo, considerando-se no modelo o efeito de dia, raça, tipo de lesão, idade, dias em lactação, posição e número de membros com lesão. O tratamento melhorou o escore de locomoção uma semana após o tratamento, mas não houve alterações nas proporções dos tempos despendidos para as atividades comportamentais observadas. Embora o tratamento tenha melhorado o escore de locomoção, o comportamento animal não foi alterado. / Lameness can cause discomfort and pain which may impair behavior and welfare. This study aimed to verify if the corrective trimming on cows with severe claudication improves the locomotion and behavior. Thirty-four lactating Jersey and Holstein cows with severe lameness problems were used. Cows were scored for lameness on day -1 (previous) and 6 after trimming according to a 5-point scale, while behavior was evaluated on days -1 (previous) and on days 1, 6 and 8 following trimming. Cows were observed during the diurnal part of the day and the proportions of time spent in ingestive behavior: ruminating, feeding and resting (no chewing activity) as well as in posture lying or standing were registered. Behavior data was submitted to variance analysis using the Mixed procedure of SAS® according to a completely randomized design with repeated measurements, considering in the model the effect of day, breed, type of lesion, age, days in milk, number and position of locomotion members with lesion. Lameness score was reduced one week after treatment. The treatment improved the lameness score a week after treatment, but there was no change in the proportions of time spent in the behavioral activities. Despite the improvement on lameness score, trimming did not change expressively the behavior of lactating cows in a short time period.

A claudicação é a expressão clínica de dor ou desconforto e é uma das principais, se não a principal limitação à questão de bem estar animal em pecuária leiteira, mundialmente. Este trabalho objetivou verificar se o tratamento de doenças digitais de vacas com claudicação severa melhora, em curto prazo, a locomoção e o comportamento. Foram utilizadas 34 vacas leiteiras com claudicação severa. Escores de locomoção foram conferidos às vacas, no dia anterior e no 6º dia após o tratamento. As observações comportamentais foram realizadas no dia anterior e um, seis e oito dias após o tratamento de doenças digitais. As vacas foram observadas durante a parte diurna do dia para estimar as proporções de tempo gasto nas atividades ingestivas: ruminação, alimentação, sem atividade mastigatória (descansando) e em atividades posturais: deitadas e em pé. Os dados comportamentais foram submetidos à análise de variância, procedimento Mixed do SAS ®, de acordo com um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com medidas repetidas no tempo, considerando-se no modelo o efeito de dia, raça, tipo de lesão, idade, dias em lactação, posição e número de membros com lesão. O tratamento melhorou o escore de locomoção uma semana após o tratamento, mas não houve alterações nas proporções dos tempos despendidos para as atividades comportamentais observadas. Embora o tratamento tenha melhorado o escore de locomoção, o comportamento animal não foi alterado. / Lameness can cause discomfort and pain which may impair behavior and welfare. This study aimed to verify if the corrective trimming on cows with severe claudication improves the locomotion and behavior. Thirty-four lactating Jersey and Holstein cows with severe lameness problems were used. Cows were scored for lameness on day -1 (previous) and 6 after trimming according to a 5-point scale, while behavior was evaluated on days -1 (previous) and on days 1, 6 and 8 following trimming. Cows were observed during the diurnal part of the day and the proportions of time spent in ingestive behavior: ruminating, feeding and resting (no chewing activity) as well as in posture lying or standing were registered. Behavior data was submitted to variance analysis using the Mixed procedure of SAS® according to a completely randomized design with repeated measurements, considering in the model the effect of day, breed, type of lesion, age, days in milk, number and position of locomotion members with lesion. Lameness score was reduced one week after treatment. The treatment improved the lameness score a week after treatment, but there was no change in the proportions of time spent in the behavioral activities. Despite the improvement on lameness score, trimming did not change expressively the behavior of lactating cows in a short time period.

Die Abschlussarbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Klauengesundheit von Deutschen Holsteins Kühen in einem Sächsischen Milchviehbetrieb. Ziel war die Erfassung und Bewertung der Klauenmaße und Klauen­gesund­heit bei unterschiedlicher Laufflächengestaltung. Aufgrund einer hohen Prävalenz von 89,1 % im Bereich Klauen und Gliedmaßen und der starken Abnutzung des vorhandenen Gussasphaltes im Laufstall, wurde nach der Ist-Aufnahme (Klauenschnitt, Erfassung von Klauenkrankheiten und –maßen) im Mai 2016 eine Stallhälfte am Futtertisch komplett mit Gummiboden (Kraiburg Kura P) ausgelegt und zwei Versuchsgruppen (N=178) gebildet. Während der 93-tägigen Versuchsphase wurden Daten zum Locomotion Score, Hygienescore, Anzahl aktiver Kühe, Gruppenstärke sowie Klimadaten erhoben. Am Ende der Beobachtungsphase wurden alle Versuchstiere einer weiteren Klauenpflege unterzogen, die Klauenmaße und eventuelle Klauenerkrankungen erfasst. Im Ergebnis konnte gezeigt werden, dass sich die Klauengesundheit der Versuchsgruppe, auf einer Kombination von Gummiboden und Gussasphalt, im Vergleich zur Kontrolle, bei der nur Gussasphalt berücksichtigt wurde, verbessert hatte. Zudem konnte verdeutlicht werden, dass Klauenerkrankungen multifaktoriell sind. Der Einbau von Gummiboden kann gesundheitsfördernd wirken, z. B. durch geringere Belastung und besseres Wohlbefinden, aber das Management hat einen essentiellen Anteil der Klauen- und Gliedmaßen­gesundheit. Als Empfehlung wird eine Kombination aus weichen und abrasiven Laufflächen als sinnvoll angesehen. Jedoch wird eine Analyse des gesamten Managements und der Haltungsumwelt der Tiere unerlässlich, da der Mensch der wichtigste Einflussfaktor auf die Klauen- und Gliedmaßengesundheit ist.:Inhalt Abkürzungsverzeichnis V Abbildungsverzeichnis VI Tabellenverzeichnis VIII 1. Einleitung 1 2. Literaturteil 2 2.1 Physiologische Grundlagen der Hornqualität und des Hornwachstums 2 2.1.1 Anatomie der Klaue und der Klauenhaut 2 2.1.2 Hornqualität 5 2.1.3 Messung der Klauenhornhärte zur Darstellung der Hornqualität 6 2.1.4 Erfassung der Klauenmaße zur Überprüfung des Hornschuhs 9 2.2 Übersicht zu den wichtigsten Klauenerkrankungen 12 2.3 Faktorenkrankheit Dermatitis Digitalis 17 2.4 Bewertung des Gangverhaltens mittels Locomotion Score 20 2.5 Bewertung der Stallhygiene mittels Hygienescore 23 2.6 Liegeflächenmanagement und Liegeverhalten 26 2.7 Gussasphalt vs. Gummibelag, Vor- und Nachteile der dargestellten Bodenbeläge 30 2.8 Stallklima 34 2.9 Management der Klauen- und Gliedmaßengesundheit 36 3. Material und Methoden 39 3.1 Tierbestand und betriebliche Gegebenheiten 39 3. 2 Versuchsaufbau 41 3.3 Datenerfassung 46 3.3.1 Bestimmung der Klauenmaße 46 3.3.2 Erfassung der Klauenbefunde 48 3.3.3 Erfassung Locomotion Score 49 3.3.4 Erfassung Hygienescore 50 3.3.5 Erfassung weiterer Parameter für die Beurteilung Klauengesundheit 50 3.3.6 Bestimmung Klimadaten 51 3.4 Datenauswertung 52 4. Ergebnisse 53 4.1 Prävalenz 53 4.1.1 Auswertung aller Klauenerkrankungen 53 4.1.2 Auswertung Dermatitis Digitalis 56 4.2 Klauendaten 57 4.3 Locomotion Score 59 4.4 Hygienescore 61 4.5 Auswertung weiterer Parameter für die Beurteilung der Klauengesundheit 62 4.6 Klimadaten 67 5. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerungen 69 5.1 Ist-Situation der Klauengesundheit in Bezug auf die gesamte Herde 69 5.2 Entwicklung der Klauengesundheit und Klauenmaße in den Untersuchungsgruppen 70 5.3 Weitere Einflussfaktoren auf die Klauengesundheit 75 5.4 Locomotion Score 79 5.5 Hygienescore 80 5.6 Schlussfolgerungen für die Praxis 81 6. Zusammenfassung 83 Literaturverzeichnis 85 Anhang 97 / The current work focuses on claw health within a herd of German Holsteins on a Saxon dairy farm. The aim was to record and evaluate the claw dimensions and claw health on different flooring systems. Due to a high prevalence of 89.1% in the area of the claws and limbs and the heavy wear of the existing mastic asphalt in the playpen, the operational management decided to carry out a partial renovation of the flooring system. Thus, after recording the actual condition (claw cut, recording of claw diseases and dimensions) in May 2016, one half of the stable at the feeding table was completely covered with rubber flooring (Kura P by Kraiburg) and two test groups (N=178) were formed. During the 93-day trial period, data were collected on locomotion score, hygiene score, number of active cows, group strength and climate data. At the end of the observation phase, all test animals were subjected to further claw care, claw dimensions and possible claw diseases were recorded. As a result, it was shown that the claw health of the experimental group had improved on a combination of rubber flooring and mastic asphalt compared to the control that only considered mastic asphalt. In addition, it could be shown that claw diseases are multifactorial. The installation of rubber flooring can have a health-promoting effect, e.g. by reducing stress and improving well-being, but management plays a major role in claw and limb health. A combination of soft and abrasive treads is considered reasonable. However, an analysis of the overall management and housing environment of the animals becomes essential as humans are the most important factor influencing claw and limb health.:Inhalt Abkürzungsverzeichnis V Abbildungsverzeichnis VI Tabellenverzeichnis VIII 1. Einleitung 1 2. Literaturteil 2 2.1 Physiologische Grundlagen der Hornqualität und des Hornwachstums 2 2.1.1 Anatomie der Klaue und der Klauenhaut 2 2.1.2 Hornqualität 5 2.1.3 Messung der Klauenhornhärte zur Darstellung der Hornqualität 6 2.1.4 Erfassung der Klauenmaße zur Überprüfung des Hornschuhs 9 2.2 Übersicht zu den wichtigsten Klauenerkrankungen 12 2.3 Faktorenkrankheit Dermatitis Digitalis 17 2.4 Bewertung des Gangverhaltens mittels Locomotion Score 20 2.5 Bewertung der Stallhygiene mittels Hygienescore 23 2.6 Liegeflächenmanagement und Liegeverhalten 26 2.7 Gussasphalt vs. Gummibelag, Vor- und Nachteile der dargestellten Bodenbeläge 30 2.8 Stallklima 34 2.9 Management der Klauen- und Gliedmaßengesundheit 36 3. Material und Methoden 39 3.1 Tierbestand und betriebliche Gegebenheiten 39 3. 2 Versuchsaufbau 41 3.3 Datenerfassung 46 3.3.1 Bestimmung der Klauenmaße 46 3.3.2 Erfassung der Klauenbefunde 48 3.3.3 Erfassung Locomotion Score 49 3.3.4 Erfassung Hygienescore 50 3.3.5 Erfassung weiterer Parameter für die Beurteilung Klauengesundheit 50 3.3.6 Bestimmung Klimadaten 51 3.4 Datenauswertung 52 4. Ergebnisse 53 4.1 Prävalenz 53 4.1.1 Auswertung aller Klauenerkrankungen 53 4.1.2 Auswertung Dermatitis Digitalis 56 4.2 Klauendaten 57 4.3 Locomotion Score 59 4.4 Hygienescore 61 4.5 Auswertung weiterer Parameter für die Beurteilung der Klauengesundheit 62 4.6 Klimadaten 67 5. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerungen 69 5.1 Ist-Situation der Klauengesundheit in Bezug auf die gesamte Herde 69 5.2 Entwicklung der Klauengesundheit und Klauenmaße in den Untersuchungsgruppen 70 5.3 Weitere Einflussfaktoren auf die Klauengesundheit 75 5.4 Locomotion Score 79 5.5 Hygienescore 80 5.6 Schlussfolgerungen für die Praxis 81 6. Zusammenfassung 83 Literaturverzeichnis 85 Anhang 97

As afecções podais podem alterar negativamente o comportamento, bem estar e produtividade das vacas leiteiras, mas ainda é preciso explorar mais seus efeitos sobre os atributos fisiológicos, limiar da dor e as características físico-químicas do leite. Esse estudo teve por objetivo verificar os efeitos provocados pelo desconforto de vacas com problemas podais severos no escore de locomoção, atributos fisiológicos, limiar da dor, variáveis termográficas e características físico-químicas do leite, além de avaliar a melhoria nessas variáveis após o tratamento. Foram utilizadas 34 vacas lactantes claudicantes, as quais foram classificadas quanto à locomoção antes e depois do tratamento. Foram diagnosticadas as lesões, avaliados a composição do leite, limiar nociceptivo, realizadas as medidas fisiológicas e imagens termográficas nos membros com e sem lesão. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o completamente casualizado com medidas repetidas no tempo, onde cada vaca foi considerada uma unidade experimental. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, utilizando o procedimento Mixed do programa estatístico SAS versão 9.0. Vacas claudicantes apresentaram maior sensibilidade à dor. O tratamento reduziu o escore de locomoção e aumentou limiar nociceptivo, além de influenciar os valores de pH e cálcio iônico, pois maiores valores de pH foram observados no dia pré-tratamento enquanto maiores valores de cálcio iônico foram observados no dia 8. Houve pequena associação entre os valores termográficos e os escores de locomoção. Os maiores valores de pH foram encontrados no dia pré-tratamento, (dia -1), para vacas da raça Jersey, animais mais velhos ou para animais mais pesados; enquanto os valores de cálcio iônico foram superiores no 8° dia em relação aos demais dias. Não houve efeito de escores de locomoção alto x baixo sobre a composição do leite. Por outro lado, fatores ligados aos animais como estádio lactacional, peso, número de tratamentos anteriores, ordem de parto, raça e idade influenciaram as características físico-químicas do leite. / Lameness can negatively affect behavior, well-being and productivity, but it is still worthy to explore its effect on the nociceptive threshold, physiological attributes and the physicochemical characteristics of milk. This study aimed to verify the effects caused by the discomfort in severely lame cows on locomotion score, physiological attributes, pain threshold, thermographic variables and physicochemical characteristics of milk and assess improvement in these variables after corrective trimming and digital treatment. Thirty-nine severely lame lactating cows were classified according to locomotion score before and 1 week after trimming. In several days, injuries were diagnosed, milk composition evaluated, nociceptive threshold and physiological measurements were done, besides thermographic images of the hoofs with and without injury. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with repeated measurements over time, and each cow was considered an experimental unit. Data was subjected to analysis of variance using the mixed procedure of SAS statistical software version 9.0. Severely lame cows showed higher sensitivity to pain. Trimming and treatment reduced locomotion score and increased nociceptive threshold, as well as influence the pH and ionic calcium, because higher pH values were observed in the pre-trimming day while larger ionic calcium values were observed on day 8. Cows had higher thermographic values in the affected hoof. There was little association between thermographic values and locomotion scores. Higher pH values were found in the pre-trimming (day -1) in the milk of Jersey cows, older animals or heavier animals; while the ionic calcium values were higher on the 8th day compared to other days. There was no effect of high x low locomotion scores on milk composition. On the other hand, factors related to animals as lactation stage, weight, number of previous trimmings, calving order, breed and age influenced the physicochemical characteristics of milk.

As afecções podais podem alterar negativamente o comportamento, bem estar e produtividade das vacas leiteiras, mas ainda é preciso explorar mais seus efeitos sobre os atributos fisiológicos, limiar da dor e as características físico-químicas do leite. Esse estudo teve por objetivo verificar os efeitos provocados pelo desconforto de vacas com problemas podais severos no escore de locomoção, atributos fisiológicos, limiar da dor, variáveis termográficas e características físico-químicas do leite, além de avaliar a melhoria nessas variáveis após o tratamento. Foram utilizadas 34 vacas lactantes claudicantes, as quais foram classificadas quanto à locomoção antes e depois do tratamento. Foram diagnosticadas as lesões, avaliados a composição do leite, limiar nociceptivo, realizadas as medidas fisiológicas e imagens termográficas nos membros com e sem lesão. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o completamente casualizado com medidas repetidas no tempo, onde cada vaca foi considerada uma unidade experimental. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, utilizando o procedimento Mixed do programa estatístico SAS versão 9.0. Vacas claudicantes apresentaram maior sensibilidade à dor. O tratamento reduziu o escore de locomoção e aumentou limiar nociceptivo, além de influenciar os valores de pH e cálcio iônico, pois maiores valores de pH foram observados no dia pré-tratamento enquanto maiores valores de cálcio iônico foram observados no dia 8. Houve pequena associação entre os valores termográficos e os escores de locomoção. Os maiores valores de pH foram encontrados no dia pré-tratamento, (dia -1), para vacas da raça Jersey, animais mais velhos ou para animais mais pesados; enquanto os valores de cálcio iônico foram superiores no 8° dia em relação aos demais dias. Não houve efeito de escores de locomoção alto x baixo sobre a composição do leite. Por outro lado, fatores ligados aos animais como estádio lactacional, peso, número de tratamentos anteriores, ordem de parto, raça e idade influenciaram as características físico-químicas do leite. / Lameness can negatively affect behavior, well-being and productivity, but it is still worthy to explore its effect on the nociceptive threshold, physiological attributes and the physicochemical characteristics of milk. This study aimed to verify the effects caused by the discomfort in severely lame cows on locomotion score, physiological attributes, pain threshold, thermographic variables and physicochemical characteristics of milk and assess improvement in these variables after corrective trimming and digital treatment. Thirty-nine severely lame lactating cows were classified according to locomotion score before and 1 week after trimming. In several days, injuries were diagnosed, milk composition evaluated, nociceptive threshold and physiological measurements were done, besides thermographic images of the hoofs with and without injury. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with repeated measurements over time, and each cow was considered an experimental unit. Data was subjected to analysis of variance using the mixed procedure of SAS statistical software version 9.0. Severely lame cows showed higher sensitivity to pain. Trimming and treatment reduced locomotion score and increased nociceptive threshold, as well as influence the pH and ionic calcium, because higher pH values were observed in the pre-trimming day while larger ionic calcium values were observed on day 8. Cows had higher thermographic values in the affected hoof. There was little association between thermographic values and locomotion scores. Higher pH values were found in the pre-trimming (day -1) in the milk of Jersey cows, older animals or heavier animals; while the ionic calcium values were higher on the 8th day compared to other days. There was no effect of high x low locomotion scores on milk composition. On the other hand, factors related to animals as lactation stage, weight, number of previous trimmings, calving order, breed and age influenced the physicochemical characteristics of milk.

As afecções podais podem alterar negativamente o comportamento, bem estar e produtividade das vacas leiteiras, mas ainda é preciso explorar mais seus efeitos sobre os atributos fisiológicos, limiar da dor e as características físico-químicas do leite. Esse estudo teve por objetivo verificar os efeitos provocados pelo desconforto de vacas com problemas podais severos no escore de locomoção, atributos fisiológicos, limiar da dor, variáveis termográficas e características físico-químicas do leite, além de avaliar a melhoria nessas variáveis após o tratamento. Foram utilizadas 34 vacas lactantes claudicantes, as quais foram classificadas quanto à locomoção antes e depois do tratamento. Foram diagnosticadas as lesões, avaliados a composição do leite, limiar nociceptivo, realizadas as medidas fisiológicas e imagens termográficas nos membros com e sem lesão. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o completamente casualizado com medidas repetidas no tempo, onde cada vaca foi considerada uma unidade experimental. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, utilizando o procedimento Mixed do programa estatístico SAS versão 9.0. Vacas claudicantes apresentaram maior sensibilidade à dor. O tratamento reduziu o escore de locomoção e aumentou limiar nociceptivo, além de influenciar os valores de pH e cálcio iônico, pois maiores valores de pH foram observados no dia pré-tratamento enquanto maiores valores de cálcio iônico foram observados no dia 8. Houve pequena associação entre os valores termográficos e os escores de locomoção. Os maiores valores de pH foram encontrados no dia pré-tratamento, (dia -1), para vacas da raça Jersey, animais mais velhos ou para animais mais pesados; enquanto os valores de cálcio iônico foram superiores no 8° dia em relação aos demais dias. Não houve efeito de escores de locomoção alto x baixo sobre a composição do leite. Por outro lado, fatores ligados aos animais como estádio lactacional, peso, número de tratamentos anteriores, ordem de parto, raça e idade influenciaram as características físico-químicas do leite. / Lameness can negatively affect behavior, well-being and productivity, but it is still worthy to explore its effect on the nociceptive threshold, physiological attributes and the physicochemical characteristics of milk. This study aimed to verify the effects caused by the discomfort in severely lame cows on locomotion score, physiological attributes, pain threshold, thermographic variables and physicochemical characteristics of milk and assess improvement in these variables after corrective trimming and digital treatment. Thirty-nine severely lame lactating cows were classified according to locomotion score before and 1 week after trimming. In several days, injuries were diagnosed, milk composition evaluated, nociceptive threshold and physiological measurements were done, besides thermographic images of the hoofs with and without injury. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with repeated measurements over time, and each cow was considered an experimental unit. Data was subjected to analysis of variance using the mixed procedure of SAS statistical software version 9.0. Severely lame cows showed higher sensitivity to pain. Trimming and treatment reduced locomotion score and increased nociceptive threshold, as well as influence the pH and ionic calcium, because higher pH values were observed in the pre-trimming day while larger ionic calcium values were observed on day 8. Cows had higher thermographic values in the affected hoof. There was little association between thermographic values and locomotion scores. Higher pH values were found in the pre-trimming (day -1) in the milk of Jersey cows, older animals or heavier animals; while the ionic calcium values were higher on the 8th day compared to other days. There was no effect of high x low locomotion scores on milk composition. On the other hand, factors related to animals as lactation stage, weight, number of previous trimmings, calving order, breed and age influenced the physicochemical characteristics of milk.

Ein System zur automatischen Erfassung der Klauengesundheit von Milchkühen kann durch möglichst frühzeitige präventive und kurative Eingriffe sowohl das Tierwohl steigern als auch ökonomische Verluste minimieren. Ziel war die Entwicklung eines automatischen Systems, dass mittels 3D Sensordaten die Rückenkrümmung einer Kuh erfassen kann und einen entsprechenden Locomotion Score ausgibt. In dieser Studie wurden von August bis Dezember 2016 auf einem Milchviehbetrieb mit Boxenlaufstallhaltung 200 Kühe der Rasse Deutsche Holstein automatisch von einem System nach Verlassen des Melkstandes erfasst. Das System bestand aus zwei RFID-Antennen zur Tiererkennung, einem 3D Sensor zur Lahmheitsbeurteilung und zwei 2D Kameras zur visuellen Bonitur und Validierung. Anhand der 2D Videos wurde nach der Methode von SPRECHER et al. (1997) für 1489 Datensätze ein Locomotion Scores vergeben. Im 2,5D-Tiefenbild wurden zunächst die Hüfthöcker als höchste, äußerste Punkte im Bild identifiziert. Ausgehend von einer Verbindungslinie zwischen den Hüfthöckern, wurde die Wirbelsäule als Polylinie der höchsten Punkte in Richtung Bildanfang ermittelt. Im 3D-Raum wurde dann an die gefundene Rückenlinie ein Kreis approximiert, dessen Radius umgekehrt proportional zur Krümmung des Kuhrückens ist. Der Vergleich der visuell vergebenen und der automatisch gemessenen Scores ergab für das Modell mit fünf Stufen eine Übereinstimmung von 59 % und für das Modell mit drei Stufen 65 %. Die Korrelation nach Spearman (rs = 0,73) zeigte einen deutlichen Zusammenhang zwischen den berechneten und den visuellen Scores. Mit einer Genauigkeit von 82 % wurden 96 % der lahmen Kühe auch als lahm erkannt. Die größte Übereinstimmung wurde für den Locomotion Score 2 erreicht (80 %). In dieser Arbeit wurde ein automatisches System entwickelt, welches durch die Berechnung der Krümmung der Rückenlinie insbesondere beginnende Lahmheiten sehr gut erkennen kann. / A system for automatic detection of lameness in dairy cows can increase animal welfare as well as minimize economic losses through early preventative and curative treatments. The aim of this study was to develop an automatic system that uses 3D sensor data to detect the spine curve of a cow and generate a corresponding locomotion score. In the present study 200 German Holstein cows housed in a free stall barn were recorded via an automatic system after leaving the milking parlour from August to December 2016 on a dairy farm. The system consisted of two RFID-antennas, a 3D depth camera for automatic lameness detection and two standard 2D cameras for visual classification and validation. An amount of 1,489 2D sets of data were locomotion scored according to the method of SPRECHER et al. (1997). Locomotion Score 1 was used to score a healthy cow and Locomotion Score 2 – 5 for lameness with increasing severity. In the analysis five levels (score 1 – 5) as well as three levels (score 1, 2, and ≥ 3) were compared. In the 2.5D depth image the hip joints were identified as the highest, outermost points in the image. Starting from a connection line between the hip joints, the spine was determined as a polyline of the highest points in anterior direction. On the 3D surface, a circle was approximated to the detected back line whose radius is inversely proportional to the curvature of the cow´s back. A comparison of the visually assigned and automatically detected scores showed a 59 % match of the five-level model and 65 % for the three-level model. The Spearman correlation (rs = 0.73) showed a clear correlation between the calculated and the visual scores. With an accuracy of 82 %, 96 % of lame cows were identified as lame. The highest agreement was reached for locomotion Score 2 (80 %). In the present study an automatic system was developed, which can recognize in particular beginning lameness by calculating the curvature of the back.