OCCURRENCE AND RISK FACTORS OFDIGITAL DERMATITIS IN EGYPTIAN DAIRIES

Abstract

In the present study, the prevalence of digital dermatitis (DD) and the related risk factors in dairy cows was investigated. For 12 months, information about the establishment of DD lesions and other claw disorders in dairy cows was collected. A questionnaire was designed to get data about age, milk yield, season, parity, transition period, concurrent diseases and biosecurity. The hind claws were more affected than fore claws (95.24 vs 4.76%) particularly the left hind claws (56.67%). However, The DD more prevalent during the second lactation than the third lactation (42.85 vs 36.50%) and first lactation (42.85 vs. 19.06%) which gradually decreased reaching the lowest incidence in heifer cows (42.85 vs 1.59%). Furthermore, DD was more prevalent during summer and autumn. Based on cow level, the final step of logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between DD and cow’ age (P <0.05; Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67–1.47), parity (P <0.05; OR: 1.01.11; 95% CI: 0.47– 401.93), season (P < .05; OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01–1.81), and transition period (P <.05; OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 0.48–4.83). The recognition of factors which influence occurrence of DD may permit changes in herd management or breeding policies which can be applied to diminish the prevalence of DD, and can establish the appropriate preventive procedures. Key words: digital dermatitis; dairy cows; risk factors; epidemiology