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Smallholder zero-grazing units have uniquely varied non-standardized management practices that predispose dairy cows to laminitis and laminitis-related claw disorders. Some of the claw disorders are not initially noticeable because they do not cause immediate lameness. Nevertheless, they may gradually cause irreversible changes on claw health, which ultimately lead to low productivity and culling of the dairy cow. The claw disorders are comprehensively described and illustrated with pictures. Some of the key features in the book include: Prevalence of claw disorders and risk factors Use of statistical analyses to describe relationships between various claw disorders and their association with specific risk factors existing in the smallholder zero-grazing units. Radiographic and histologic changes in some of the claw disorders. Prognostic indicators for the specific claw disorders and the value of claw trimming for each. Reading the book will give insights on how to make early diagnosis of subtle claw disorders for early remedy and will also give ideas on gaps for further research in dairy cows within smallholder zero-grazing production systems.
About the author
Dr. James Nguhiu-Mwangi (BVM, MSc, PhD) is a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Surgery in the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He researches on claw disorders of cattle and has published extensively in peer reviewed journals. He has co-authored a book on General Principles of Veterinary Surgery and published chapters in some veterinary medicine books.
