REVIEW ARTICLE Laminitis in the dairy cow: a cell biological approach

Abstract

Lameness is a major welfare concern in dairy cattle. Estimates of the annual incidence of lameness range from 4 to 30%, and even in well managed herds as many as 15% of animals can be affected (Esselmont, 1990). In addition to the cost in animal suffering, lameness is accompanied by loss of production on a scale comparable, in temperate countries, with that caused by mastitis. Lost production, veterinary charges and milk discard costs coupled with reduced fertility or premature culling in turn make lameness a major economic factor in dairy farming. In the UK alone, the estimated cost in lost production is £44–£90 million per annum, equivalent to £10–20 per cow (Booth, 1989; Esselmont, 1990).