Lameness is an important cause of reduced animal welfare and has been shown to cause substantial economical losses in dairy and beef-cattle herds [1,2]. Diseases of the feet account for ≈90% of all lameness cases in dairy cattle [3,4] and ≈70% in feedlots [5,6].
Claw disorders can be divided into three main categories according to their aetiology; infectious/partly infectious, metabolic/mechanical and traumatic [7]. Infectious and partly infectious claw lesions as dermatitis, heel-horn erosions and interdigital phlegmones are mainly influenced by the environment. Haemorrhages of the sole and the white line, sole ulcers and white-line fissures traditionally have been described as retrospective signs of subclinical laminitis, but lately by the term "claw-horn disruption" [8]. Important traumatic injuries are pedal bone fractures and traumas to the sole and interdigital space by foreign bodies. Laminitis (pododermatitis aseptic diffusa), laminitis-related lesions and injuries (bruises, lacerations and broken bones) are considered to be the most important non-infectious diseases in feedlot cattle [9]. To our knowledge, clinical prevalence of claw and limb disorders in beef-cow herds has not been reported before.
Environmental factors have huge influence on the incidence of claw lesions. Stanek et al. [10] found that the claw condition of fattening bulls was worse in a tie-stall system versus an outdoor untied paddock system, whereas Lawrence et al. [11] found that wet pen conditions increased both hoof growth and wear in Angus steers. Most studies have found that dairy cattle housed in free stalls have a higher claw lesion score than cattle in tie stalls [12-15]. The negative influence of confined dairy systems can be reduced by a well designed housing system [16].
In 2002 there were 48.497 beef cows in Norway versus 40.267 in 2000 [17]. The mean number of cow-years per herd was 15 and 14, respectively. Beef-cow production requires less labour, time and expenses compared to milk and meat production in dairy herds. Less meat from dairy herds and consumers demanding high quality steaks probably also results in further increase in beef-cow production in Norway. Herd sizes are expected to increase and more intensive production will probably predispose for more disease. In Norway, monitoring of health and disease is poorer in beef herds than in dairy herds. The recording system for production and diseases in beef-cow herds, the Norwegian Beef Cattle Herd Recording System (NBCHRS), which also includes claw and limb diseases, is established, but the health records are not complete.
The present study was part of a project on claw health of Norwegian cattle and the aim was to assess the prevalence of claw and limb disorders in Norwegian beef-cow herds. Some associations to breed, age, environment, management, reproduction and carcass characteristics are also assessed.
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