Features of limbs diseases in replacement heifers at industrial enterprises

The paper presents the results of monitoring studies of orthopedic diseases conducted in 2023 at two modern high-tech enterprises with similar conditions for keeping replacement heifers: OOO «Kaluzhskaya Niva», RM «Koltsovo», and OOO «Okhotno», Bryansk Region. The prevalence and structure of orthopedic diseases in different age groups of heifers were studied, the etiological factors of diseases, reasons for culling were analyzed, and recommendations were given to reduce injuries to young cattle. In the surveyed enterprises, limb diseases in replacement heifers average 14.5%, while the analysis of the prevalence of orthopedic pathologies showed a similarity in the structure of lesions in both farms. Each age group of heifers is characterized by a certain list of limb diseases. The most common diseases of the extremities are bursitis and arthritis in the carpal and tarsal joints, which averaged 12.5% and 2.2%, respectively. The main etiological factor of extremity diseases in replacement heifers at the enterprise is trauma. Transportation of calves, their transfer to spacious group sections and the associated motor activity, slippery floors and protruding parts of ceilings lead to falls, blows and the appearance of wounds, abrasions, bruises, aseptic arthritis. Most orthopedic diseases have an inflammatory nature or are complicated by it. The percentage of culling of replacement heifers due to the economic inexpediency of treatment and unsuitability for transferring them to the main herd was 0.48% at the enterprise OOO «Kaluzhskaya Niva» and 0.6% at the enterprise OOO «Okhotno».