Alsaaod, M., Bucher, E., Feierabend, M. et al. 2019. Detection and localisation of unilateral hindlimb pathologies in cattle using the cow pedogram. Veterinary Record 184(10), 318.

Detection of slightly lame cows and non-lame cows with limb pathologies and those with early limb pathologies is most challenging. Therefore, the availability of a sensitive, objective tool to complement the clinical limb examination is highly desirable. The aims of this study were to evaluate the validity of the cow pedogram; firstly, to detect hindlimb pathologies, including the digits and, secondly, to differentiate between pathologies located in the proximal versus distal limb. In summary, the cow pedogram represents a highly sensitive tool for the detection of cows with unilateral hindlimb pathologies, including cows with hindlimb pathologies but without clinically visible lameness. However, the tested pedogram variables were not suitable to differentiate between distally and proximally located pathologies.