Musculoskeletal disease in a population of cattle admited at the CHUV of the Université de Montréal

1-Currently, cows can be “locomotion scored”. These scores include a category for ‘imperfect locomotion’ or ‘uneven gait’ to define a cow that is unsound (favoring one leg) but not clinically lame. However, this detection method does not discriminate whether locomotion originate from the foot or the leg. Claw lesions are easily diagnosed in a trimming chute. Other orthopedic lesions are more difficult to diagnose. It needs a special clinical expertise and specific diagnostic methods like radiographic images, arthrocentesis and ultrasound. I expect to improve my proficiency in the diagnostic of orthopedic diseases as well as getting familiar with their treatment.
2-Digital dermatitis (DD) is a painful disease that is widespread worldwide. The DD is classified in 5 “M” stages (M for Mortellaro) corresponding to the dynamic of the disease. The M2 stage is a typical painful ulceration between the heels of the hind feet engendering a significant lameness. However, there is still controversy on the level of pain experienced by cows with the other DD stages (M1, M3, M4, M4.1). We would like to better characterize the lameness and the pain perception of all stages of DD in dairy cattle in tie stall and free stall barns. TO BE CON’T

Faculty Supervisor:

André Desrochers

Student:

Partner:

University of Padua

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Agriculture and Food; Other

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: