title: The Impact of Lameness on Welfare of the Dairy Cow.
abstract: The five freedoms offer a framework for discussion of lameness and its impact on the welfare of cows. Altered feeding behavior is a cause of reduced body condition, smaller digital cushion, and lameness. Providing a comfortable environment is critical to recovery and welfare. Pain associated with injury or disease of feet or legs is manifested by lameness. Pain management is an important part of therapy. In cases of severe lameness, euthanasia may be preferred. Lameness interferes with an animal's ability to exhibit natural behaviors by altering lying time, social interaction, ovarian activity and estrus intensity, and rumination behavior.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK.
authors.forename: Helen Rebecca
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Whay
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, 2436 Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center, Ames, IA 50011, USA. Electronic address: jks@iastate.edu.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Shearer
mesh_terms: D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003612:Dairying; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Animal welfare; Lameness; The five freedoms