Search

Simple Summary: Lesions of the digits and associated lameness in cattle can not only cause pain and therefore impair animal welfare, but can also result in economic losses. Frequent claw trimming can prevent the development of claw disorders, but documentation of health data of the digits is essential for follow-up. These data are useful not only for farmers, veterinarians and herd health, but also for the establishment of claw health programmes on a regional basis. The objectives of this study were to present comparative prevalence data on painful lesions of the digits from over 700 cattle farms participating in a nationwide claw health programme in Switzerland over a three-year period. Furthermore, this study contributes to the identification of risk factors at the herd- and cow-levels regarding the occurrence of digital dermatitis, ulcers and white line disease in Swiss dairy cows. Factors found to be associated with these lesions may help to improve management factors contributing to better digit health on farms with small herds that have frequent access to pasture, as analysed in this study. The first aim of this study was to calculate the prevalence of painful lesions of the digits ("alarm" lesions; ALs) in Swiss dairy herds and cow–calf operations over a three-year study period. The following ALs were included in the calculation: the M2 stage of digital dermatitis (DD M2), ulcers (U), white line fissures (WLF) of moderate and high severity, white line abscesses (WLA), interdigital phlegmon (IP) and swelling of the coronet and/or bulb (SW). Between February 2020 and February 2023, digit disorders were electronically recorded during routine trimmings by 40 specially trained hoof trimmers on Swiss cattle farms participating in the national claw health programme. The data set used consisted of over 35,000 observations from almost 25,000 cows from 702 herds. While at the herd-level, the predominant AL documented in 2022 was U with 50.3% followed by WLF with 38.1%, at the cow-level, in 2022, it was DD M2 with 5.4% followed by U with 3.7%. During the study period, within-herd prevalences of ALs ranged from 0.0% to a maximum of 66.1% in 2020. The second aim of this study was to determine herd- and cow-level risk factors associated with digital dermatitis (DD), U and white line disease (WL) in dairy cows using data from 2022. While for DD, analysed herd-level factors appeared to have a greater effect on the probability of its occurrence, the presence of U and WL was mainly associated with the analysed cow-level factors. The risk for DD increased with a higher herd trimming frequency. Herds kept in tie stalls had a lower risk for DD and WL and a higher risk for U compared to herds kept in loose housing systems. Herds with predominantly Holstein Friesian cows as well as Holstein Friesian cows had a higher risk for the occurrence of DD compared to herds and cows of other breeds. With increasing parity, cows had a higher risk of developing U and WL, whereas for DD, parity was negatively associated with prevalence. Cows trimmed during the grazing period had a higher risk of U and WL than cows trimmed during the housing period. These findings may contribute to improve management measures affecting the health of the digits in farms with structures similar to those evaluated in the current study, such as small herds with frequent access to pasture. Further research is warranted to demonstrate how measures addressing the current results combined with those of individual herd risk assessments might contribute to an improvement in the health of the digits in the respective dairy herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was an in-depth genomic analysis to understand the genomic mechanisms of the 3 claw disorders dermatitis digitalis (DD), interdigital hyperplasia (HYP), and sole ulcer (SU). In this regard, we estimated genetic parameters based on genomic relationship matrices, performed genome-wide association studies, annotated potential candidate genes, and inferred genetic associations with breeding goal traits considering the most important chromosomal segments. As a further novelty of this study, we inferred possible SNP × heat stress interactions for claw disorders. The study consisted of 17,264 first-lactation Holstein Friesian cows kept in 50 large-scale contract herds. The disease prevalence was 15.96, 2.36, and 8.20% for DD, HYP, and SU, respectively. The remaining breeding goal traits consisted of type traits of the feet and leg composite, female fertility, health traits, and 305-d production traits. The final genotype data set included 44,474 SNPs from the 17,264 genotyped cows. Heritabilities for DD, HYP, and SU were estimated in linear and threshold models considering the genomic relationship matrix (G matrix). Genetic correlations with breeding goal traits based on G were estimated in a series of bivariate linear models, which were verified via SNP effect correlations for specific chromosome segments (i.e., segments harboring potential candidate genes for DD, HYP, and SU). Genome-wide association studies were performed for all traits in a case-control design by applying a single SNP linear mixed model. Furthermore, for DD, HYP, and SU, we modeled SNP × heat stress interactions in genome-wide association studies. Single nucleotide polymorphism-based heritabilities were 0.04 and 0.08 for DD, 0.03 and 0.10 for SU, and 0.03 and 0.23 for HYP from linear and threshold models, respectively. The genetic correlations between DD, HYP, and SU with conformation traits from the feet and leg composite were positive throughout, indicating the value of indirect selection on conformation traits to improve claw health. Genetic correlations between DD, SU, and HYP with other breeding goal traits indicated impaired female fertility, impaired udder health status, and productivity decline of diseased cows. Genetic correlations among DD, SU, and HYP were moderate to large, indicating that different claw disorders have similar genetic mechanisms. Nevertheless, we identified disease-specific potential candidate genes, and genetic associations based on the surrounding SNPs partly differed from the genetic correlations. Especially for candidate genes contributing to 2 traits simultaneously, correlations based on SNP effects from the respective chromosome segment were close to 1 or to −1. In this regard, we annotated the candidate genes KRT33A and KRT33B for HYP and DD, KIF27 for HYP and calving to first insemination, and MAN1A1 for SU and the production traits. For SNP × heat stress interactions, we identified significant SNPs on BTA 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 22, 25, and 28, and we annotated the potential candidate genes FSIP2, CLCN1, ADGRV1, DOP1A, THBD, and RHOBTB1. Results indicate gene-specific mechanisms of the claw disorders only in specific environments.

Problems with claw disorders in dairy cattle herds are very typical and are among the most significant endemic cattle diseases. It is good to realize in what condition we keep the cattle - unsuitable floors and bed boxes, greasy microclimate, frequent movement between groups of animals, significant changes in the feed ration - all this affects the health of claws. Lameness and claw lesions have a great impact on production, welfare and health of dairy cows. They decreases milk yield, have a negative impact on reproductive traits and fertility performance and therefore lameness increases costs including medicine, detection of lameness, control and prevention, and creates losses including reduced milk production, non-sellable milk, reduced reproductive performance, increased culling and animal death. To reduce the effect of claw disorders on dairy cattle, it is necessary to apply the most efficient combination of available methods of prevention. The most effective is the combination of early detection and diagnosis, regular claw trimming, proper diet and clean and suitable enviroment. The aim of this review was to cumulate the existing informations of aspects of claw lessions and known preventive methods for breeders of dairy herds.

A study on claw disorders" infl uence on milk production was performed during one year on 226 Simmental loose-reared cows. The first trial group included 42, the second 37, and the third 34 cows, with claw changes observed in the first hundred days of lactation, between days 101 and 200, between days 201 and 305, respectively. The control group included 113 cows with no observed changes. Lameness intensity was assessed once a week. Milk yield data were collected three weeks before, in the week of treatment of claws and three weeks afterwards. There were significantly more cows with lameness in the third group than in the other two groups, as well as the most cows with one aff ected limb in the first hundred days of the lactation (P0.05). Cows aff ected in the first third of lactation produced less milk (324 kg) than both healthy and cows with claw changes manifested in later stages of lactation. Obtained data confirm that claw disorders may aff ect dairy production.

Problems with claw disorders in dairy cattle herds are very typical and are among the most significant endemic cattle diseases. It is good to realize in what condition we keep the cattle - unsuitable floors and bed boxes, greasy microclimate, frequent movement between groups of animals, significant changes in the feed ration - all this affects the health of claws. Lameness and claw lesions have a great impact on production, welfare and health of dairy cows. They decreases milk yield, have a negative impact on reproductive traits and fertility performance and therefore lameness increases costs including medicine, detection of lameness, control and prevention, and creates losses including reduced milk production, non-sellable milk, reduced reproductive performance, increased culling and animal death. To reduce the effect of claw disorders on dairy cattle, it is necessary to apply the most efficient combination of available methods of prevention. The most effective is the combination of early detection and diagnosis, regular claw trimming, proper diet and clean and suitable enviroment. The aim of this review was to cumulate the existing informations of aspects of claw lessions and known preventive methods for breeders of dairy herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, consumers have a growing concern about the welfare of beef cattle, and specific schemes have been proposed to assess their wellbeing during the fattening. On-farm assessments can be integrated and partially replaced by animal-based measures recorded postmortem at the abattoir. Postmortem organ inspection data are of value, as several lesions can be reflective of subclinical diseases not easily detected in the live animal. The present data collection aimed to evaluate the slaughterhouse prevalence and location of hoof, gastric, hepatic, and liver lesions in beef cattle and veal calves and retrospectively associated this information with the animals’ housing and feeding management systems. Individual data on gastrointestinal and claw disorders of beef cattle (bulls and heifers) and veal calves were collected through a postmortem inspection by trained veterinarians directly at the slaughter line. Around 15 animals/batch, belonging to 97 batches of young bulls, 56 batches of beef heifers, and 41 batches of veal calves were inspected in three slaughterhouses located in Northern Italy during 30 sampling days, and information on the animals’ rearing systems were gathered a posteriori from farmer interviews. The implementation of this recording system should promote a continuous improvement of beef cattle management from a health and welfare perspective.

Copyright of Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi is the property of University of Kafkas, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To evaluate the effect of lameness due to claw disorders on oxidative parameters and mineral profile, 34 crossbred dairy cattle were selected from 11 dairy farms. Lame animals were categorized based on locomotion score, hoof lesions and severity of disease. Significant increase in MDA level (25.90±1.32 nmol MDA/ml) along with significant decrease in SOD level (35.30±0.98 U/mg of Hb) was recorded among lame animals compared to control (2.55±0.36 nmol MDA/ml and 49.53±0.54 U/mg of Hb, respectively). GPx activity decreased non-significantly (3.82±0.31 U/ mg of Hb) compared to healthy animals (4.65±0.64 U/mg of Hb). Analysis of plasma mineral profile revealed significant decline in the average levels of Cu, Ca and Pi (6.34±0.25 μmol/l, 8.94±0.25 mg/dl and 3.44±0.13 mg/dl, respectively) compared to control (22.06±0.77 μmol/l, 10.66±0.50 mg/dl and 4.47±0.21 mg/dl, respectively). Study concludes that the antioxidant defence system is compromised in lame cows and such animals need mineral supplementation especially Ca, P and Cu.

Highlights • Early detection by regular claw checks with mirrors, pressure plates or infrared thermometers,. • Early diagnosis by professional trimmers, veterinaries or trained farmers,. • Regular claw trimming (not more than twice a year),. • Sand bedding with clean and dry floors,. • Proper diet to avoid any ruminal acidosis or BCS drop,. Abstract The aim of this review was a comprehensive evaluation of existing knowledge on non-genetic aspects of claw disorders and possible prevention methods in dairy herds. The interest in improving farm animal welfare is increasing rapidly and it is necessary to address issues related to negative impact of claw lesions in dairy cows. It can be predicted that the biggest improvement in claw health will come in the near future from the selection strategies improving those traits in dairy cattle populations across the world. However, those traits have a rather low heritability. Thus to efficiently improve the claw health, the environmental aspects of claw disorders need to be fully evaluated and monitored. Here the claw disorders are grouped based on their causes: infectious or non-infectious (i.e. laminitis-related and traumatic). We investigated the risk factors for each of those groups. Infectious disorders are mainly affected by floor, bed, bedding types and cleanliness; the laminitis-related claw disorders are associated with a diet; whereas the traumatic disorders are caused for herd management and housing. We evaluated also the negative consequences of claw disorders on cow's physiology and welfare. Laminitis-related and infectious claw disorders lead mostly to a decrease in milk yield. They are also responsible for reproduction disorders and significantly increased days open. In addition, claw disorders seem to reduce the time spent eating and feed-intake itself, and thus lead to a decrease of carcass quality and/or body weight. Also those physiological consequences of claw disorders generate hidden costs by decrease in production and reproduction performance of affected animals. The costs of individual claw disorders vary between $51.5 and $1,517, which leads to average costs per cow from $31.5 to $83. To reduce the impact of claw disorders on dairy farms a universal strategy applying the best combination of available prevention measures is required. The most efficient seems to be a strategy using early detection (regular claw checks with mirrors, pressure plates or infrared thermometers) and diagnosis (by professional trimmers, veterinaries or trained farmers), regular claw trimming (not more than twice a year), sand bedding with clean and dry floors, and proper diet to avoid any ruminal acidosis or BCS drop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to follow the epidemiologic evolution of bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) and other podal diseases grouped in a dairy farm in Central Brazil between the years 2010 and 2016. This study was carried out in a farm in Jataí, Goiás, Central Brazil, where the prevalence data of bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) and other podal diseases, as well as the composition, history, and management of the herd, was collected. We analyzed the collected data into the two annual pluviometric precipitation values in Central Brazil: rainy season and dry season. The cumulative frequency for comparison of prevalence between seasons throughout the years was calculated from 2011 to 2016. The comparison was carried out by post hoc chi-square test with the Bonferroni correction adopting a level of significance of 5% (p < 0.05). BDD was not diagnosed at the property in 2010; however, the disease became endemic from 2011, which coincides with the arrival of new animals to the herd. The comparison of the accumulated frequencies for prevalence of the diseases in the herd between 2011 and 2016 revealed BDD, as well as the grouped nutritional and metabolic foot diseases, has the highest prevalence in the period of lower annual precipitation in Central Brazil, which occurs between May and October. For a better control of BDD, we recommend greater attention in cattle management in the dry season of the year in Brazil, as well as in any other place in the world in which rainfall is seasonal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated whether changes of energy metabolism post-partum (pp) are associated with claw health. For this purpose, back-fat-thickness (BFT) was measured and blood samples were taken from 146 cows at four examination times. The serum levels of free fatty acids (FFA), ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and glucose were measured. Furthermore, in the first week postpartum (pp) and at 8 weeks pp, a claw trimming was done and the presence and extent of sole haemorrhages (SH) was recorded. Animals with high BFT at calving and therefore high fat mobilisation and whose FFA and BHB levels in the first week pp exceeded the reference values had fewer pathological changes of the claws than thinner animals whose FFA and BHB levels stayed within reference ranges. The body condition before calving, represented in this study by BFT, plays an important role in non-infectious claw disorders. Poorer body condition was found to be associated with the SH that develop in the first 2 months of lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Claw health and lameness data from five dairies with compost bedded barns ( n  = 201 data sets) were evaluated and compared with data from five dairy herds housed in freestall cubicle barns ( n  = 297 data sets). They were matched for having the same cow numbers, flooring type and similar milk yield. The prevalence of lameness, claw lesions and their severity grades were analysed. Two claw health indicators, the cow claw score (CCS) and the farm claw score (FCS), were calculated using a computerised claw trimming database programme; there was no significant difference in overall lameness prevalence in cows from five compost bedded barns (18.7%) compared to cows from five freestall cubicle herds (14.9%). A cumulative link mixed model (CLMM) did not show significant differences in locomotion between different types of bedding material, flooring system, breed, visit number, observer and time since last trimming, but locomotion was significantly influenced by CCS. Another CLMM tested the impact of parameters mentioned on CCS and showed significant influence of flooring type, visit number and cattle breed. Statistically significant differences in the prevalence of claw disorders between compost bedded and freestall cubicle barns were found for white line disease (WLD; 20.4% and 46.6%, respectively), heel horn erosion (HHE; 26.9% and 59.9%, respectively), concave dorsal wall as a result of chronic laminitis (6.5% and 15.9%, respectively) and for interdigital hyperplasia (0.2% and 3.1%, respectively). The results of this study indicate that compost dairy barns are a good alternative to common cubicle housing systems in terms of lameness, claw health and animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Random regression threshold animal models were applied to binary longitudinal claw disorder data for studying genetic parameters of all claw disorders ( ACD), as well as to claw disorders divided into different categories: non-purulent claw disorders ( NPCD), purulent claw disorders ( PCD), dermatitis digitalis ( DD), sole ulcer ( SU), phlegmona ( PH), laminitis ( LAM) and interdigital hyperplasia ( IH) in the course of lactation. Claw disorder data were obtained from 26 651 Holstein cows kept in 15 large-scale contract herds in the region of Thuringia over a period of 5 years from 2007 to 2012. If a cow had one or more entries of the same disorder, for example, sole ulcer, within an interval of 30 days, she was scored with a '1', and otherwise, she received a score of '0' for healthy. Heritabilities for the same disorder were relatively stable between DIM 50 and DIM 300, but they tended to increase in early and late lactation. Highest heritabilities in the range from 0.20 to 0.34 were estimated for IH, and lowest heritabilities were realized for LAM (~ 0.05). Genetic correlations for same traits between different DIMs were high for adjacent test days, but close to zero for distant test days. The relationship between the sire EBVs for claw disorders and official sire EBVs for the type traits 'foot angle' was slightly antagonistic with correlation coefficients in the range from 0.05 ( DD) to 0.33 ( PH). Correlations between lactation EBVs for hock quality, rear leg rear view and the feet and leg index with EBVs for claw disorders were slightly favourable and ranged between −0.01 (rear leg rear view correlated with SU) and −0.43 (hock quality correlated with PH). Regarding daily EBVs for claw disorders, the strongest correlation coefficient was of value −0.46 ( LAM early in lactation correlated with the feet and leg index). Genetic parameters from the random regression model were verified by applying a single-trait repeatability model. Correlation coefficients between lactation EBVs from the random regression model and lactation EBVs from the repeatability model for the same claw disorder were close to 1. Correlations were lower between EBVs from single test days and lactation EBVs from the repeatability models, with a minimal value of 0.58 for PCD measured at day 20. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To estimate the prevalence of claw disorders in youngstock and first parity heifers and to evaluate the effect of grazing on claw disorders, 10 Dutch dairy herds participated in a 2-year longitudinal study. Five herds were zero-grazed, while in the other five herds cows and youngstock had access to pasture during the summer. Twenty female calves < 1 year of age and 20 females between 1 and 2 years of age were randomly selected on each farm, and were individually monitored at 3 monthly intervals for 2 years. Data from 366 animals with at least five observations were analysed using linear mixed models with a binomial error distribution. Independent variables were grazing, age, month of observation and previous occurrence of the disorder, while herd and animal were included as random effects. Of these 366 animals, 287 had calved once and 76 twice at the end of the study. Analytic results were obtained for digital dermatitis (DD), interdigital dermatitis/heel horn erosion (IDHE) and sole haemorrhages (SH), all of which had a prevalence of >15%. The prevalence of DD increased considerably around first calving on both the grazing and the zero-grazing farms. The prevalence of IDHE increased with age while SH prevalence showed a more fluctuating pattern. Digital dermatitis was less frequently observed in pastured animals than in permanently housed animals (OR = 0.12-0.64 depending on month of observation; P<0.05), with the strongest effect being seen during the period when the herds which grazed cattle actually had animals at pasture (May to August). Grazing was also associated with lower levels of IDHE and SH, again particularly during the grazing season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This cross-sectional study was part of a large project on free-stall housing. The aim was to assess the use of locomotion score (LocS) performed by 15 professional claw trimmers and the relation to claw disorders at claw trimming, to see if LocS recordings could be used to screen herds for claw problems. The claw trimmers scored locomotion, trimmed and recorded claw disorders in 2569 cows in 61 dairy herds. The relation between LocS and hind-claw disorders was identified by three multivariable models with binomial outcomes; model 1: LocS>1 vs. LocS=1, model 2: LocS>2 vs. ≤2 and model 3: LocS>3 vs. ≤3. Input variables were different claw disorders, type of alley floor, days in milk and parity. Significant claw disorders from separate models were put into the same model. Herd and claw trimmer were included in the model as random effects. The results were as follows: there were more heel-horn erosions in cows with LocS>1 vs. cows with LocS=1 with OR=1.6 (1.4/1.9) and in cows with LocS>2 vs. cows with LocS≤2 with OR=1.6 (1.2/2.2). There were more sole ulcers in cows with LocS>1 vs. cows with LocS=1 with OR=1.8 (0.9/3.4), in cows with LocS>2 vs. cows with LocS≤2 with OR=3.3 (1.8/5.9) and LocS>3 vs. LocS≤3 with OR=3.1 (1.5/6.3). There were more separations (white line fissure and/or double sole in cows with LocS>1 vs. cows with LocS=1 with OR=1.7 1.4/2.2), in cows with LocS>2 vs. cows with LocS≤2 with OR=2.1 (1.3/3.4) and LocS >3 vs. LocS≤3 with OR=3.1 (1.8/5.2). There were more corkscrewed claws in cows with LocS>2 vs. cows with LocS≤2 with OR=1.8 (1.0/3.2). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Digital dermatitis (DD) in cattle is an infectious skin disease of the plantar side of the interdigital space. The causative agents are bacteria from the genus Troponema. Pathomorphologically DD is defined as a combination of ulcerative and proliferative changes which reach down to the dermal papillae and stick out from the ulcerous surface. In order for DD to develop, beside the infective agent, predisposing factors such as wet and unclean floors are required. Treatment of this disorder is possible with the application of antibiotics and/or antiseptic solutions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of topical application of antiseptics in the therapy of DD lesions in affected diary cattle. The applied antiseptic solutions were: copper sulfate (8%), zinc sulfate (8%), formalin (8%), and peracetic acid (3%). The treatment was carried out daily during the first seven days, thereon every second day for a total of 30 days. Chlortetracycline was used as the positive control and saline solution was applied as the negative control. By estimation of the presence, size and painfulness of the DD lesions we have established that zinc sulfate had the best curative effect when compared to other antiseptics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of lameness as well as the prevalence of claw–horn disruptions, abnormal claw shape and dermatitis in lame cows in Greek dairy farms and to evaluate their risk factors. Forty dairy farms were visited twice, during winter and during summer, and the lameness of milking cows was scored using a 5-point scale. In total 760 cows were lame (lameness score ≥3) and were further examined to identify macroscopically the claw disorders. The herd size, the trimming and footbathing frequency, the floor surface, the cleanness of the herd, the scraping frequency and the disinfectant used in the footbaths were recorded. The mean lameness prevalence was 18.7% and that of claw disorders observed in the lame cows was 75.4% for abnormal claw shape, 30.2% for dermatitis and 30.6% for claw–horn disruptions. Large herd size and the absence or only once per year trimming were associated with increased risk for the presence of lameness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a study on the factors associated with claw disorders in dairy cows of Nairobi, Kenya. The risk factors associated with claw disorders were evaluated in 32 farms and 300 cows. The study revealed that chronic laminitis, overstocking and absence of cubicle bedding were some of the risk factors. It was also found that the occurrence of chronic laminitis is affected by the absence of cubicle bedding and presence of bare concrete in the cubicles.

Abstract: Claw health of dairy cows was investigated in an observational study in different housing systems in Switzerland. Twenty-five professional hoof trimmers examined lameness and claw disorders in 4621 cows on 290 farms during routine hoof trimming. 82 farms had tie-stall barns without exercise (T1) and 166 had tie-stall barns with exercise (T2), another 42 farms kept their animals in loose housing systems with exercise (L2). The prevalence was 10.0% for lameness (LN), 15.7% for sole disorders (SD), 6.1% for white line disorders (WD), 13.6% for heel erosions (HE), and 5.3% for disorders of skin and interdigital space (ID). LN and SD showed the highest prevalence (13.2%; 16.4%) and the highest odds ratio (OR=1.89; 1.33) in T1. WD was more often detected in L2, accounting for 9.4% (OR=1.0). HE was identified most in T2 (17.1%, OR=4.72) and T1 (13.2%, OR=4.45). Disorders of skin and interdigital space were most frequently found in T2 (7.5%, OR=1.55). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study presents a novel approach to use claw disorders in cattle as a retrospective welfare indicator characterized at the abattoir. A total of 1040 cattle (2080 front and back left claws) were analyzed from 143 batches, originating from feedlots, free-range, and dairy systems. Our results indicate that abnormal claw shapes (>55%) and fissures of the claw wall (>25%) had the highest prevalence, regardless of the system of origin. For the seven types of lesions monitored, numerous associations were found between lesions in the front and rear limbs typical of each production system. Ultimate meat pH was higher in animals with white line disease and skin wounds in feedlot and free-range cattle. We conclude that claw disorders can be used as an iceberg indicator to provide valuable information about animal fitness, and the ability to cope with the husbandry and pre-slaughter environment. These indicators can be used to improve the level of welfare of the animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]