A study about determining the changes in the structural characteristics of the digital cushion in heifer and multipar dairy cows: A preliminary report

Claw horn lesions are crucial problems for dairy cows and causes serious financial losses. The changes in the structure of digital cushion are considered to be the trigger for such lesions. The purpose of this study is to determine these changes in heifer and multipar dairy cows. The structural changes in the digital cushion were determined by ultrasonography and gas chromatography. As a result, it can be mentioned that thickness of the digital cushion can be measured by ultrasonography and, also digital cushions of heifers have a lower percentage of fat than cows have and a higher rate of saturated fatty acid in their digital cushion. It can be asserted that these changes of digital cushion increase the traumatic effects inside the claw which may cause sole ulcer and white line disease.