Prevalence, Anatomical Distribution, and Risk Factors for Integumentary Injuries in Grazing Dairy Cows Under Tropical Conditions

A cross-sectional study was carried out on small-scale dairy farms in Paraíba State, Brazil, to evaluate the prevalence and anatomical distribution of integument injuries in grazing dairy cows. Twelve herds (n = 12) were assessed, recording herd size, milk yield, and daily hours of pasture access. The integument of five body regions (back/shoulder/neck, carpus, flank/side/udder, tarsus, and hindquarters) was scored for hairless spots, lesions, and swellings (0 = absent; 1 = present). Among 335 cows observed, 267 (81.5%) presented at least one injury. The most frequent conditions were hairless patches on the hock (65.4 ± 5.03%), lesions on the flank/side/udder (34.5 ± 1.46%), and swelling in the back/shoulder/neck region (52.9 ± 5.86%). Cluster analysis revealed distinct patterns of integument injuries among cows. The high prevalence of integument injuries indicates that even in grazing systems, welfare concerns persist. Neck swelling and hairless spots on the hock were the most common problems, emphasizing the need for improved management and environmental practices to enhance welfare outcomes. These findings have practical implications for welfare assessment and management strategies in tropical grazing dairy systems.