Claw and limb disorders in 12 Norwegian beef-cow herds.

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of claw and limb disorders in Norwegian beef-cow herds.
Twenty-six herds with >or=15 cow-years were selected by computerized systematic assignment from the three most beef cattle-dense regions of Norway. The study population consisted of 12 herds with 28 heifers and 334 cows. The animals were trimmed and examined once by claw trimmers during the late winter and spring of 2003. The seven claw trimmers had been taught diagnosing and recording of claw lesions. Environment, feeding and management routines, age and breed, culling and carcass characteristics were also recorded.
Lameness was recorded in 1.1% of the animals, and only in hind claws. Pericarpal swellings were recorded in one animal and peritarsal lesions in none. In total, claw and limb disorders including lameness were recorded in 29.6% of the animals, 4.1% with front and 28.2% with hind limb disorders, respectively. Most lesions were mild. Laminitis-related claw lesions were recorded in 18.0% of the animals and infectious lesions in 16.6%. The average claw length was 84 mm in front claws and 89 mm in hind claw. Both laminitis-related and infectious claw lesions were more prevalent with increasing age. Carcasses from animals with claw and limb disorders were on average 34 kg heavier than carcasses from animals without such disorders (p = 0.02). Our results also indicate association between some management factors and claw lesions.
The study shows that the prevalence of lameness was low in 12 Norwegian beef-cow herds compared to beef-cattle herds in other countries and also that there were less claw and limb disorders in these herds compared to foreign dairy-cattle herds. The prevalence of lameness and white-line fissures was approximately the same as in Norwegian dairy herds whereas less dermatitis, heel-horn erosions, haemorrhages of the sole and the white line and sole ulcers were recorded.

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BioMed Central
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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
Open Access
Research
Claw and limb disorders in 12 Norwegian beef-cow herds
Terje Fjeldaas*1, Ola Nafstad2, Bente Fredriksen2, Grethe Ringdal2 and
Åse M Sogstad1,3
Address: 1Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, PO Box 8146 Dep. 0033 Oslo, Norway, 2Animalia, Norwegian Meat Research Centre, PO Box
396 Økern, 0513 Oslo, Norway and 3Department of Norwegian Cattle Health Services, TINE Norwegian Dairies, PO Box 58, 1431 Ås, Norway
Email: Terje Fjeldaas* - terje.fjeldaas@veths.no; Ola Nafstad - ola.nafstad@animalia.no; Bente Fredriksen - bente.fredriksen@animalia.no;
Grethe Ringdal - grethe.ringdal@animalia.no; Åse M Sogstad - aase.sogstad@veths.no
* Corresponding author
Abstract
Background: The main aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of claw and limb disorders
in Norwegian beef-cow herds.
Methods: Twenty-six herds with ≥15 cow-years were selected by computerized systematic
assignment from the three most beef cattle-dense regions of Norway. The study population
consisted of 12 herds with 28 heifers and 334 cows. The animals were trimmed and examined once
by claw trimmers during the late winter and spring of 2003. The seven claw trimmers had been
taught diagnosing and recording of claw lesions. Environment, feeding and management routines,
age and breed, culling and carcass characteristics were also recorded.
Results: Lameness was recorded in 1.1% of the animals, and only in hind claws. Pericarpal swellings
were recorded in one animal and peritarsal lesions in none. In total, claw and limb disorders
including lameness were recorded in 29.6% of the animals, 4.1% with front and 28.2% with hind
limb disorders, respectively. Most lesions were mild. Laminitis-related claw lesions were recorded
in 18.0% of the animals and infectious lesions in 16.6%. The average claw length was 84 mm in front
claws and 89 mm in hind claw. Both laminitis-related and infectious claw lesions were more
prevalent with increasing age. Carcasses from animals with claw and limb disorders were on
average 34 kg heavier than carcasses from animals without such disorders (p = 0.02). Our results
also indicate association between some management factors and claw lesions.
Conclusion: The study shows that the prevalence of lameness was low in 12 Norwegian beef-cow
herds compared to beef-cattle herds in other countries and also that there were less claw and limb
disorders in these herds compared to foreign dairy-cattle herds. The prevalence of lameness and
white-line fissures was approximately the same as in Norwegian dairy herds whereas less
dermatitis, heel-horn erosions, haemorrhages of the sole and the white line and sole ulcers were
recorded.
Background
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].
Published: 24 September 2007
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2007, 49:24doi:10.1186/1751-0147-49-24
Received: 16 November 2006
Accepted: 24 September 2007
This article is available from: http://www.actavetscand.com/content/49/1/24
© 2007 Fjeldaas et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0),
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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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 ero-
sions 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), lamin-
itis-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 knowl-
edge, clinical prevalence of claw and limb disorders in
beef-cow herds has not been reported before.
Environmental factors have huge influence on the inci-
dence 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 Law-
rence 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 pro-
duction 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, manage-
ment, reproduction and carcass characteristics are also
assessed.
Methods
Selection procedure
We designed a cross-sectional study. Twenty-six herds reg-
istered in the NBCHRS and with ≥15 cow-years from the
three most beef cattle-dense regions of Norway were sam-
pled by computerized systematic assignment. Fifteen
herdsmen accepted to take part in the study. Three herds
were excluded because of non-compliance in connection
with the trimming and recording of claw lesions. Claw
and limb disorders and claw length and shape in cows
and heifers ≥ 18 months of age were recorded.
Study population
The final study population consisted of 12 herds: 6 in
region I (Hedmark/Oppland), 3 in region II (Rogaland)
and 3 in region III (Trøndelag). The total number of beef-
cow herds with ≥ 15 cow-years within the three regions
was 213, 71 and 169. Respectively 66, 14 and 45 of these
herds were members of the NBCHRS. The total number of
beef-cow herds with ≥ 15 cow-years in Norway was 1782
and 232 were members of the NBCHRS.
The mean number of cows and heifers in the study herds
was 30 and the total number was 362; 28 heifers (more
than 30 days from first calving) and 334 cows. Data from
337 of these animals were available from the NBCHRS.
Housing, management, feeding and cow variables in each
herd are in Table 1, 2 and 3.
The Hereford breed was present in 5 of the herds and
Aberdeen Angus, Charolais, Limousine and Simmental in
respectively 3, 6, 3 and 1 of the herds. In total 72 Here-
fords, 97 Charolais, 14 Aberdeen Angus, 20 Limousines,
15 Simmentals, 93 cross-breds and 26 animals of
unknown breed were included in the study. Animals with
more than 75% of one breed were counted as pure-bred.
Recording of data
All seven professional claw trimmers attended two courses
covering observation and recording of lameness, claw
trimming procedures, diagnosis, recording and treatment
of claw lesions. Individual training was given to each claw
trimmer at the initiation of the practical work. For practi-
cal reasons two claw trimmers cooperated in some of the
herds. All trimmers had previously participated in a study
of claw health in dairy cattle [15].
The cows were trimmed and examined once during the
period from the 15th of January 2003 to pasture season
started. The last herd was visited on the 12th of June.
Lameness was assessed when the animal was moved to the
trimming chute as absent (no notation), moderate (1) or
severe (2) (Table 3). Pericarpal and peritarsal swellings
and wounds were recorded as absent (no notation), swell-
ing (1), wound (2) or both swelling and wound (3). Claw

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shapes were recorded as normal (no notation), asymmet-
ric (1) or corkscrewed (2). Claw lesions were diagnosed
on the basis of macroscopic examination before and after
trimming to the correct claw shape. The trimming tech-
nique included levelling the two claws, aiming for sym-
metric bulbs. The axial and abaxial walls were both
intended to be parts of the bearing surface and the two
claws were trimmed flat and balanced with each other.
The caudal 2/3 of the axial sole of both claws was dished
out. Dermatitis, heel-horn erosions, haemorrhages of the
white line and the sole, sole ulcers and white-line fissures
were scored as absent (no notation), mild (1), moderate
(2) or severe (3). Definitions in Table 4 are adapted from
Bergsten [18]. We used only one variable for "dermatitis"
because the occurrence of digital dermatitis is close to zero
in Norway and we assumed that the recorded cases would
be interdigital dermatitis. The presence of double sole,
interdigital hyperplasia, horizontal and vertical fissures,
interdigital phlegmon and papillomatous dermatitis was
also recorded. The recording protocol did not differentiate
between the inner and the outer claw because most
lesions occur in the outer hind claw and the inner front
claw [19,4]. The term "claw and limb disorders" includes
lameness, pericarpal and peritarsal swellings or wounds
and all claw lesions in this study, but not asymmetric or
corkscrewed claws.
Identity, age, date for calving, breed and events as disease
and carcass characteristics were extracted from the
NBCHRS. When associations between age and claw
lesions were assessed, the animals were separated in
young (2–4 years), medium-aged (5–7 years) and old ani-
mals (8–10 years). Conformation class and fat cover class
were defined according to the EUROP grading system as
defined by the EU [20,21]. Data on housing system, envi-
ronment, feeding and management were collected by vis-
its and questionnaire survey by one animal husbandry
adviser.
Statistical analyses
The statistical analyses were performed in the SAS-PC Sys-
tem® Version 9.1 for Windows at cow and herd level.
PROC UNIVARIATE, PROC MEANS and PROC FREQ
were used for the descriptive analyses.
Table 2: Feeding and feeding routines in 12 Norwegian beef-cow herds (2003)
HerdRegionn Types of roughage feedConcentrat
e heifers
Concentrat
e before
calving
Concentrat
e after
calving
Mineral or
vitamin
additives
Salt lick
with
minerals
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
I
I
I
I
I
I
15
45
31
35
21
19
16
33
18
33
17
79
Round bale grass silage, straw
Round bale grass silage, ammonia-treated straw
Grass silage, ammonia-treated straw, hay, round bale grass silage
Round bale grass silage
Round bale grass silage, ammonia-treated straw
Round bale grass silage
Grass silage, round bale grass silage
Grass silage, round bale grass silage
Grass silage
Round bale grass silage, ammonia-treated straw
Round bale grass silage, ammonia-treated straw, other
Round bale grass silage, ammonia-treated straw
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
II
II
II
III
III
III
Table 1: Housing systems and management factors in 12 Norwegian beef-cow herds (2003)
Herd RegionnHousing
system
FloorWalking areaResting areaFeeding areaExercise yardDays at pasture (cow/heifer)Routine claw
trimming
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
I
I
I
I
I
I
II
II
II
III
III
III
15
45
31
35
21
19
16
33
18
33
17
79
Free stall
Both
Free stall
Free stall
Free stall
Free stall
Tie stall
Free stall
Free stall
Tie stall
Free stall
Free stall
Other
Concrete
Concrete
Other
Other
Concrete
Concrete
Other
Concrete
Concrete
Concrete
Concrete
Solid
Slatted
Slatted
Deep litter
Deep litter
Slatted
Cubicles
Cubicles
Slatted
Deep litter
Deep litter
Slatted*
Solid
Slatted
Slatted
Solid
Deep litter
Slatted
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
66
118
165
82/112
77/213
132/127
153
364
364/144
117/132
200/91
109
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Deep litter
Slatted
Deep litter
Cubicles
Solid
Slatted
Slatted
Solid
Cubicles
Cubicles
Slatted
Solid
* Mats of rubber used around calving

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Two different unconditional logistic regression models
were performed using the presence or absence of infec-
tious and laminitis-related claw lesions as dependent var-
iable, and age group (young = 2–4 years, medium = 5–7
years, old = ≥8 years) as independent variable (PROC
LOGISTIC).
For animals that had been slaughtered within two years
after claw inspection, general linear models (GLM) with
carcass weight, conformation class and fat cover class as
dependent variables were performed with "disorder"
(presence of any claw or limb disorder, yes/no) as inde-
pendent variable and breed as adjusting variable. The fit
of the models was assessed by the R2-values.
At herd level, univariate statistics were generated for all
environmental factors in relation to the occurrence of 1)
claw and limb disorders, 2) laminitis-related claw lesions
and 3) infectious claw lesions. For laminitis-related claw
lesions, several of the environmental factors were statisti-
cal significant. All these factors were included as inde-
pendent variables (fixed effects) in a preliminary
multivariate (GLM) model with the herd prevalence of
laminitis-related claw lesions as dependent variables.
Two-tailed tests were applied. The type III F-test was used
as elimination criterion. The modelling was manually
conducted by stepwise backward elimination of variables
one by one, using a p-value of 0.05 as the level for exclu-
sion from the model. The least square means were esti-
mated for all levels of significant independent variables in
the final model.
General linear model (GLM) with calving interval as
dependent variable was performed using PROC GLM,
with claw and limb disorders (yes/no) as independent
variables and breed as adjusting variable.
Results
Prevalence of claw and limb disorders
Lameness was recorded in 1.1% of the animals, and only
in hind limbs (Table 5). Pericarpal swellings were
recorded in one animal. In total, claw and limb disorders
were recorded in 29.6% of the animals, 4.1% with front
and 28.2% with hind limb disorders, respectively.
Most claw lesions in front and hind claws were score 1. All
together 20.6% of the lesions were score 2: Heel-horn ero-
sions (20 out of 64 cases); sole ulcers (3 out of 6 cases)
and dermatitis (3 out of 8 cases). Only one score 3 (heel-
horn erosions) was recorded.
Infectious claw lesions including dermatitis and heel-
horn erosions were recorded in 16.6% of the animals, var-
ying from 0–58.2% on herd level, and laminitis-related
claw lesions including haemorrhages in the white line and
the sole, sole ulcers, white-line fissures and double soles
were recorded in 18.0% of the animals, varying from 0–
60.6% on herd level (Table 5 and 6). Infectious lesions
were 9.8 times more frequent in hind claws than in front
claws, whereas laminitis-related lesions were 7.6 times
more frequent in hind claws. Laminitis-related claw
lesions were recorded in 11 out of the 12 herds (92%),
whereas infectious claw lesions were recorded in 4 out of
12 herds (33%). Vertical fissure and interdigital hyperpla-
sia (corns) were both only recorded in one animal. Inter-
digital phlegmon, horizontal fissure and papillomatous
dermatitis were not recorded in any animal.
Claw length and shape
The average front-claw length was 84 mm, varying from
61–100. Hind claws were 89 mm (67–102). Recordings of
asymmetric and corkscrewed claws are in Table 4. Cork-
screwed claws were mainly recorded in Charolais (10%)
Table 3: Claw trimming and cow variables of the herd at the time of trimming in 12 Norwegian beef-cow herds (2003)
HerdRegionCows (n)Claw trimmer (id) Season for trimmingMedian date for calvingMean age Breed*
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
I
I
I
I
I
I
II
II
II
III
III
III
15
45
31
35
21
19
16
33
18
33
17
79
a
a
a
a
b
b
c
c
c
June
June
May
May
April
January
March
February
January
February
January-February
January-February
06/04
17/02
14/05
22/03
12/05
06/03
01/04
-
16/04
02/06
05/03
14/04
5.6
3.9
6.1
4.8
4.8
5.8
4.8
6.0
4.3
3.5
4.7
5.0
Ch/CU
He
CU/AA/He
He/CU/Li
CU/HE
CU/AA/Ch
Li/CU/He/Ch
CU/Li/AA
Si/CU
CU/Ch
Ch/CU
Ch/CU
d/e
f/g
f/g
*He = Hereford, Ch = Charolais, AA = Aberdeen Angus, Li = Limousine, Si = Simmental, CU = Crossing or unknown. The most numerous breed in each herd is the first
written.

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and Limousine (15%). Asymmetric claws were mainly
registered in Aberdeen Angus (23%), Limousine (15%)
and Charolais (14%).
Effect of age and breed on claw lesions
The distributions of laminitis-related and infectious claw
lesions related to age are in Figure 1 and the distribution
of different laminitis-related lesions related to age is in
Figure 2. There were more laminitis-related lesions in
medium-aged (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–4.6) and old ani-
mals (OR = 4.8, 95% CI 2.3–9.8) compared to young ani-
mals (p < 0.0001). Infectious lesions were also more
prevalent in older cows, and the corresponding numbers
were 2.1 (1.1–4.2) and 3.3 (1.5–7.1) (p < 0.01). The dis-
tributions of laminitis-related and infectious claw lesions
related to breed are in Figure 3.
Claw and limb disorders related to reproduction and
carcass characteristics
The average calving interval was 366 days for cows with
disorders, and 355 days for cows without, but the differ-
Total prevalence of laminitis-related and infectious claw lesions related to age in 12 Norwegian beef-cow herds
Figure 1
Total prevalence of laminitis-related and infectious claw
lesions related to age in 12 Norwegian beef-cow herds.
0
10
20
30
40
50
23456789 >=10
Age (years)
Percentage of
animals
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Number of animals
Laminitis related InfectiousNumber of animals
Table 4: Definition of lameness and claw lesions recorded at
trimming
LesionScore*Definition
Lameness1
2
Asymmetric gait, bearing weight on all limbs
Avoiding weight-bearing on one or more
limbs
Superficial, hyperaemic, slightly Exudative
lesion of the digital/interdigital skin
Exudative, slightly ulcerative lesion with
thickening of the skin
Ulcerative, spontaneously bleeding lesion
with thickening of the skin and great pain
Slight defects of the horn integrity, pits and
small fissures
V-shaped fissures or craters of the heel/
bulb not affecting corium
V-shaped profound fissures or craters
affecting corium of the heel/bulb
Slight haemorrhagic discoloration
Dermatitis1
2
3
Heel-horn
erosion
1
2
3
Haemorrha
ges of the
white line
1
2 Moderate haemorrhage on a single spot or
several superficial haemorrhages covering >
20% of the white line
Profound haemorrhage on a single spot or
extensive haemorrhagic discoloration
covering > 50% of the white line
Slight haemorrhagic discoloration
3
Haemorrha
ges of the
sole
1
2Moderate haemorrhage on a single spot or
several superficial haemorrhages covering >
20% of the sole surface
Profound haemorrhage on a single spot or
extensive haemorrhagic discoloration
covering > 50% of the sole
Exposed, unaffected corium
Granulation tissue, necrosis, purulent
exudates and separation of the sole horn
As score 2 with additional affection of the
deeper structures of the claw
Fissure, which disappear with deep cut
beneath normal trimming level
Deep fissure perforating next to the corium
of sole or wall
Corium is affected with purulent exudates,
eventually with necrosis, granulation tissue
and separation of the wall and/or sole
3
Sole ulcer1
2
3
White-line
fissure
1
2
3
* Lameness: score 1 = moderate, score 2 = severe. Claw lesions:
score 1 = mild, score 2 = moderate, score 3 = severe. Absence of
lameness or claw lesions: no notation
Table 5: Prevalence of lameness, pericarpal and peritarsal
swellings, asymmetric claws, corkscrewed claws and claw lesions
on individual and herd level recorded at claw trimming of 362
animals in 12 Norwegian beef-cow herds (2003)
DisorderIndividual prevalence (%)Herd
prevalence*
Mi
n
Front claws
Mean (SD)
Hind claws
Mean (SD)
Max
Lameness
Pericarpal and
peritarsal swellings
Asymmetric claws
Corkscrewed claws
Infectious claw
lesions
Dermatitis
Heel-horn
erosions
Laminitis-related claw
lesions
Haemorrhages of
the white line
Haemorrhages of
the sole
Sole ulcers
White-line fissures
Double sole
0 (0)
0.3 (5.3)
1.1 (10.5)
0 (0)
0
0
5.1
1.3
4.4 (20.6)
0
1.7 (12.8)
6.9 (25.4)
4.2 (20.0)
16.3 (37.0)
0
0
0
47.4
26.7
58.2
0 (0) 2.2 (14.7)
16.1 (36.8)
0
0
7.6
571.7 (12.8)
2.2 (14.7)16.9 (37.5)060.6
0.8 (9.1)3.0 (17.2)0 18.2
0.6 (7.4) 7.8 (26.8)025.0
0.3 (5.3)
0.8 (9.1)
0
1.4 (11.7)
8.3 (27.6)
1.4 (11.7)
0
0
0
6.7
36.4
12.5
*Herd prevalence is calculated as percentage of cows with lesions