Supplemental dietary biotin for prevention of lesions associated with aseptic subclinical laminitis (pododermatitis aseptica diffusa) in primiparous cows.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate, in primiparous cows, the effect of dietary biotin supplementation on severity of lesions of aseptic subclinical laminitis.


METHODS
100 primiparous cows in a 800-cow commercial dairy herd.


METHODS
Cows were assigned after calving to a biotin-supplemented (20 mg/head/d) or control group on an alternating basis. Digits 3 and 4 of the left forelimb and right hind limb were examined at a mean of 25, 108, and 293 days after parturition. Toe length, hoof angle, and heel depth were measured, and hooves were examined for solear hemorrhage, yellow solear discoloration, separation of the white line, and heel erosion. Serum and milk biotin concentrations were also measured.


RESULTS
Serum biotin concentrations were significantly higher for supplemented than for control cows. During the second examination, prevalence of separation of the white line of digits 3 and 4 of the hind limb and digit 4 of the forelimb was lower for supplemented than for control cows. Mean decrease in heel depth between the first and third examinations was approximately twice as great for digit 4 of the forelimb and 4 times as great for digit 3 of the forelimb in supplemented, versus control, cows. Other differences were not found.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that supplemental dietary biotin may have a beneficial effect on hoof health in intensively managed primiparous dairy cows.
Midla
L T
LT
Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
Hoblet
K H
KH
Weiss
W P
WP
Moeschberger
M L
ML
D000818:Animals; D001710:Biotin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D005552:Forelimb; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D006614:Hindlimb; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors
D001710:Biotin