A CONTRIBUTION TO THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF INF LAMMATION OF THE TAIL TIP OF FATTENING BULLS

The incidence of tail tip inflammation of fattening bulls housed on sl atted floors was independent of the housing densitiy. During the growi ng period, the live weight ranged from 90 to 262 kg and the density wa s 1.16 or 1.72 m2 per animal and in the main fattening period the live weight ranged from 270 to 550 kg with densities of 2.48, 2.03, and 1. 72 m2 per animal. There was no difference in the incidence between bre eds, Deutsche Schwarzbunte and Deutsche Rotbunte. To a certain degree changes were reversible. During the initial growing period relapses we re observed at a rate of 1.2 times per animal and in the fattening per iod 2.2 times per animal. Daily live weight gain was not affected by t he condition provided that it was restricted to dark red scabs without inflammation. Bulls for which amputation of the tail tip was necessar y gained 21.6 kg less body weight during the observation period of 487 days, compared to animals without amputation. No seasonal influences on the incidence of the condition were observed Various hypotheses of the aetiology of the condition are discussed.