Soft cubicle coverings improve joint health of dairy cows

Joint inflammation and lying injuries - risk factors and prevention

Joint inflammation and lying injuries (decubitus) with hair loss (alopecia) and skin changes mostly occur on hock joints. Certain risk factors are conducive to the formation of these diseases, ultimately resulting from excessive pressure on the skin.

While lying, the cow’s skin on the lower part of her body is exposed to considerable pressure from its own body weight. This significantly disturbs the blood circulation to the skin zones between hard bone tissue and the hard lying surface. Wherever that softness can distribute the pressure during lying to a larger bearing area, the skin tissue is more adequately supplied with nutrients.

Risk factors

The following risk factors lead to predamaging the skin and facilitate joint inflammation and injuries from lying:

• The blood and nutrient supply to the skin is hindered by the pressure. This lowers the metabolism, which results in a reduction of the protection provided by the skin.
• Hair loss is caused by a disturbed metabolism in its roots. Without the hair, the skin cannot defend itself against environmental effects.
• Moisture (from milk, urine and faeces) softens the skin. In this type of swollen skin, bacteria can enter more easily and cause inflammations.
• Lying areas with poor hygiene through faeces and liquid accumulation, in which high concentrations of bacteria are present, are a dangerous source of infection.
• Non-ruminant appropriate feed intake with an insufficient supply of vitamins, minerals and trace elements.