Prospective cohort study of the association between early lactation mastitis and the presence of sole ulcers in dairy cows

Watson, C; Barden, M; Griffiths, BE; Anagnostopoulos, A; Higgins, HM; Bedford, C; Carter, S; Psifidi, A; Banos, G; Oikonomou, G

Abstract

Background The objective of this study was to investigate the association between (sub)clinical mastitis (CM) in the first 30 days in milk (DIM) and the presence of sole ulcers (SU) later in lactation. Methods Holstein cows and heifers were examined for presence of sole haemorrhage and SU before calving, in the first 14 days postcalving and in early lactation (after 30 DIM). CM episodes and somatic cell counts (SCC) measurements were obtained from farm records. Multivariable logistic regression was used for data analysis. Results Odds of SU in early lactation were 2.44 times greater (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97-5.54) in cows that had CM in the first 30 DIM compared to cows that did not have CM in the first 30 DIM. When cows that had SU precalving or at the calving check were excluded from the dataset, an association of CM in the first 30 DIM with later presence of SU was no longer statistically significant but the same numeric trend still existed (odds ratio [OR] 2.25, 95% CI 0.81-5.34). The odds of SU in early lactation were 1.70 times greater in cows that had high SCC compared to cows that did not have high SCC in the first 100 DIM (95% CI 1.13-2.55). Conclusion An association was found between CM in the first 30 DIM and presence of SU in early lactation (after 30 DIM). Elucidating the mechanism behind this relationship could improve our understanding of the aetiopathogenesis of both diseases and lead to new preventive strategies.

Citation

Watson, C., Barden, M., Griffiths, B., Anagnostopoulos, A., Higgins, H., Bedford, C., …Oikonomou, G. (2022). Prospective cohort study of the association between early lactation mastitis and the presence of sole ulcers in dairy cows. Veterinary Record, https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.1387

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 6, 2022
• Publication Date: Feb 5, 2022
• Deposit Date: Feb 22, 2022
• Print ISSN: 0042-4900
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.1387
• Keywords: WHITE LINE DISEASE; BODY CONDITION SCORE; ACUTE-PHASE PROTEINS; CLINICAL MASTITIS; RISK-FACTORS; SHORT-COMMUNICATION; DIGITAL DERMATITIS; FOOT LESIONS; DRY PERIOD; CATTLE
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1557550