Epidemiology of Foot Diseases in Cattle

Incidence of claw affections was investigated in 602 cattle in two organized Dairy Farms. Of these cattle 176 were from Bangladesh Agricultural University Dairy Farm (BAUDF) and 426 were from Central Cattle Breeding Station and Dairy Farm (CCBSDF). These animals were studied under 6 groups: calf, heifer, pregnant cow, lactating cow, dry cow and AI bull. Out of 426 cattle in CCBSDF, 85 animals were affected with various claw affections, the incidence being 19.95%. The incidence in BAUDF was 22.72%. Claw affections causing lameness comprised sole ulcer (3.82%), heel erosion (2.49%), interdigital necrobacillosis (2.15%), sand crack (1.82%), hoof overgrowth (3.32%) and white line disease (2.32%). The incidence of lameness in BAUDF was 13.06% and that in CCBSDF was 11.50%. Sole ulcer (3.82%) was predominantly associated with lameness in both farms while the lowest incidence of lameness was encountered with interdigital dermatitis (1.39%). The lowest incidence of lameness was observed in calves in both BAUDF (0.56%) and CCBSDF (0.93%).