Non-infectious claw diseases in dairy cows - aetiology, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention with respect of animal welfare and effects on health and production indices

Recent analyses of bovine lameness on Slovak cattle farms demonstrated skin and corium inflammation as the most frequent causes of the lameness. The inflammations are of different aetiology and thus they need different attitude. The international research is focused on aetiology determination, treatment testing, and elaboration of effective preventive methods to decrease the incidence of pain in food animals. The aim of the present project is to contribute to solving frequent claw disorders in cattle – non-infectious inflammations (sole/toe ulcer, white line diseases, and laminitis). The update diagnostic methods should be used to monitor them on Slovak dairy farms. The proposed research project will focus on all aspects of non-infectious diseases including their impact on general health of affected animals. We believe this research is very important to combat economical and welfare negative aspects of the cattle lameness.