The effects of parity and stage of lactation on hoof temperature of dairy cows using a thermovision camera

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of the parity and stage of lactation on tissue changes of the dairy cows’ hooves (Holstein; n = 130) and their early detection using the thermovision camera. The parity did not have a significant impact on temperature of the coronary band (CB) for the cows with lesions, although the stage of lactation did (P<0.0001) between first and second parity. For the cows without lesions the parity and stage of lactation had a significant (P<0.01; P<0.0001) influence on the temperature of the CB. The obtained results indicate that stage of lactation has a stronger influence on temperature of coronary band than parity. This knowledge is crucial when using thermovision cameras for detection of the cows which are at risk of lameness.

Keywords

• dairy cows
• detection
• hoof diseases
• parity
• stage of the lactation
• thermovision camera