Early detection of the hoof diseases in Holstein cows using thermovision camera

Aiming early detection of the tissue changes (sole ulcer -SU, interdigital hyperplasia -IH, dermatitis -D) of the hooves in dairy cows.Th e measurement of the surface temperature of hooves were conducted by a thermovision camera.Th e study was conducted in Holstein cows which they did not have any visually noticeable changes in the movement (lameness).Measurement of temperature of coronary band (CB) of the front and rear legs was made.For statistical analysis (ANOVA) program Statistica (2012) was used.Aft er the examination of all the isolated cows suspected of having some tissue changes, it was determined that 63% of cows that had some kind of tissue change on a minimum one hoof, while the 37% of cows were without any changes that is estimates of elevated temperature of the tissue with the thermovision camera gave a negative result.It was determined the 14% of the hooves with SU, 24% IH and the 62% with D tissue changes.Statistically highly signifi cant (p<0.05;p<0.0001) diff erence in maximum, minimum and mean measured temperature of CB on the hooves of cows were determined between the non-lesion and lesion hoofs.Statistically signifi cant (p<0.01)diff erence in temperature of CB was determined between front and rear legs.Based on the results of this research, the feasibility and usefulness of application of the thermovision camera in early detection of tissue changes on hooves of lactating cows is recognized.Early detection of hoof disease before development of lameness can contribute to production costs reduction and increase of animal welfare.