The Effect of Fermentation Product Supplementation on Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Holstein Friesian Cattle Experimentally Inoculated with Digital Dermatitis.

Digital dermatitis (DD) poses a major animal welfare concern for the dairy industry, with even broader economic implications for the agricultural industry worldwide. The postbiotic, a fermentation product (SCFP), has had a positive influence on the innate immune system of cattle, which makes it a potential candidate as a feed supplement as part of a prevention strategy for DD. This study investigated the effect of a commercial SCFP feed supplement compared to a control feed supplement on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in Holstein Friesian steers experimentally infected with DD.

Computer vision model for the detection of canine pododermatitis and neoplasia of the paw.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has been used successfully in human dermatology. AI utilises convolutional neural networks (CNN) to accomplish tasks such as image classification, object detection and segmentation, facilitating early diagnosis. Computer vision (CV), a field of AI, has shown great results in detecting signs of human skin diseases.

Novel prediction models for hyperketonemia using bovine milk Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

Metabolic diseases driven by negative energy balance in dairy cattle contribute to reduced milk production, increased disease incidence, culling, and death. Cow side tests for negative energy balance markers are available but are labor-intensive. Milk sample analysis using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) allows for sampling numerous cows simultaneously.

Dynamics of metabolic characteristics in dairy cows and their impact on disease-free survival time.

Dairy cows are at a greater risk of disease due to increased energy demand during the transition period. Blood biomarkers including beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) are routinely used to identify animals in a state of negative energy balance (NEB). Recent research demonstrates cattle have varied response to NEB, that requires multiple blood biomarkers to characterize.