Prevalence of cutaneous and mucosal lesions in dairy cattle admitted to a Canadian Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 2018 to 2019

Abstract

Background: The prevalence, anatomical distribution, or nature of cutaneous, hair and oral mucosal abnormalities (CHMAs) in cattle is uncertain.

Objectives: To determine how often dairy cattle admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital (VTH) had CHMAs (except for foot and ear canal) on physical examination and if there was an age-related difference.

Animals: Four hundred and thirty-three cattle: cattle <3 months (n = 85), cattle 3 to 24 months (n = 73), and cattle >24 months (n = 275).

Methods: In this descriptive, observational, prospective study, CHMAs of dairy cattle admitted to the VTH of the Université de Montréal were recorded over 1 year. Prevalences were calculated. Dermatological examinations were performed within 48 hours of admission, according to a glossary. Chi-square tests were used to compare prevalence between age groups.

Results: The 433 cattle were mostly females (97.5%) and of the Holstein breed (89.8%). The prevalence of cattle <3 months presenting with at least 1 identifiable CHMA was 65% (55/85). In cattle 3 to 24 months old, it was 90% (66/73), and in cattle >24 months, it was 99.3% (273/275). There were significant differences (P < .001) between the prevalence of CHMAs localized on the ischia, ilia, stifles, hocks, carpi, flank, lateral neck, dorsal cervical, and cornual regions in cattle >24 months vs <3 months.

Conclusions and clinical importance: CHMAs were highly prevalent and age-specific. Calluses on the carpi and hocks of cattle >24 months were the most common CHMAs.

Keywords: cattle; dermatology; skin diseases.