The Risk Factors of Dewclaw Dermatitis in Beef Cattle in the Amazon Biome.
Authors: Barbosa José Diomedes, Dos Santos Janayna Barroso, Oliveira Hanna Gabriela da Silva, Ferreira Tatiane Teles Albernaz, da Silveira José Alcides Sarmento, Barbosa Camila Cordeiro, Brito Marilene Farias, Silveira Natalia da Silva E Silva, Oliveira Carlos Magno Chaves, Bomjardim Henrique Dos Anjos, Salvarani Felipe Masiero
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
Bovine dewclaw dermatitis (BDCD)—inflammation affecting the accessory digits and surrounding skin—remains poorly characterised in the literature despite emerging clinical recognition in Amazonian beef herds. Researchers conducted clinical examinations of 706 Nellore and Nellore-cross cattle across eight extensive farming operations in Pará state, Brazil, documenting lesion prevalence and investigating environmental and management risk factors. BDCD affected 6.94% of the population (49 animals), with crossbreds showing higher susceptibility than purebred Nellore cattle (61.22% versus 38.77% of cases). Rough pasture conditions—particularly those littered with stumps and stones—combined with inadequate pen infrastructure and trauma during handling emerged as the primary predisposing factors, highlighting that this condition is substantially preventable through environmental modification. For equine practitioners familiar with similar digit pathologies, these findings suggest that pasture assessment and management practices warrant equivalent attention in horses, where accessory digit health similarly depends on ground surface quality and careful handling protocols.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Pasture management (removal of stumps and stones) is critical for preventing dewclaw dermatitis in extensive beef operations
- •Pen design and handling facilities require assessment to minimize trauma-related injuries during routine management
- •Crossbred cattle may require additional monitoring or preventive strategies compared to Nellore cattle
Key Findings
- •BDCD prevalence was 6.94% (49/706) in extensive beef cattle systems in the Amazon Biome
- •Crossbred cattle showed higher prevalence (61.22%) compared to purebred Nellore (38.77%)
- •Pastures with stumps and stones, pen structural defects, and trauma during handling were primary predisposing factors
- •This is the first documented occurrence of BDCD in extensive farming systems in the Amazon region