Evaluation of 'In-Parlour Scoring' (IPS) to Detect Lameness in Dairy Cows during Milking.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of 'In-Parlour Scoring' (IPS) as an alternative to locomotion scoring in herringbone, side-by-side, and tandem milking parlours in Austria. Between January and May 2023, a total of 990 observations were conducted on 495 cows across eleven Austrian dairy farms by two investigators working simultaneously but independently of each other. The observation criteria included shifting weight, claw conformation, and obvious disorders of the distal limb.

[Curative claw trimming for mechanical relief of sole ulcers - an ex-vivo study].

Objective: Overloading or excessive mechanical stress to the claws may damage the sensitive claw tissues and subsequently lead to sole ulcers. Corrective treatment can prevent complications of these sole ulcers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a wedge-shaped relief incision from the bulb to the tip of the outer claw of the pelvic limb on the pressure distribution beneath the pertaining claw.

Effectiveness of salicylic acid paste for treatment of digital dermatitis in dairy cows compared with tetracycline spray and hydrotherapy.

The effectiveness of salicylic acid paste (PASTE) was tested for topical treatment of 25 acute and 25 chronic digital dermatitis (DD) lesions. Control groups with the same number of acute and chronic DD lesions were treated with topical oxytetracycline spray (SPRAY) and by washing only with water (HYDRO) respectively. The therapeutic effects were evaluated using a pain score, the healing rate, the lesion size and other parameters.

Evaluation of claw health in heifers in seven dairy farms using a digital claw trimming protocol and claw data analysis system.

The claw health of 139 heifers with a mean age of 22.1 months (SD: 2.6) in seven free stall dairy farms in Lower Austria was evaluated.