LESIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLINICAL LAMINITIS OF THE CLAWS OF DAIRY CALVES IN 2 MANAGEMENT-SYSTEMS

Claws of ten 6 to 7-month-old dairy calves in two management systems w ere examined for lesions associated with subclinical laminitis. Sole h aemorrhages were found only in claws of calves maintained out of doors . No significant differences in number and severity of haemorrhages we re found between left and right or lateral and medial claws, but haemo rrhages were more frequent and more severe in hind claws than in front claws (P<0.05). More haemorrhages of greater severity were present in the white zone at the toe than in all other areas of the weight-beari ng surface combined (P<0.05). No lesions of interdigital dermatitis an d heel horn erosion were found in either indoor-housed or outdoor-hous ed calves. All calves kept indoors on deep bedding developed overgrown claws.