Transit-related lameness in a group of Jersey heifers

Abstract

Four hundred and eleven, 15-month-old Jersey heifers were bought at auction in sale yards throughout the North Island and then were transported to a centre outside Hamilton. During the next 21 days, 36 were noted lame in one or both hind limbs. Three suffered fractures, one had infectious pododermatitis and anotherhad flexor-tendon strain. The remaining 31 did not become lame until at least 10 days after arrival at the centre; these had practically identical lesions. Defects found in affected claws indicated that they resulted from separation of laminae from the wall over a localised area, and that they were acquired during transit.