Prevalence of cutaneous and mucosal lesions in dairy cattle admitted to a Canadian Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 2018 to 2019

Abstract Background The prevalence, anatomical distribution, or nature of cutaneous, hair and oral mucosal abnormalities (CHMAs) in cattle is uncertain. Objectives To determine how often dairy cattle admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital (VTH) had CHMAs (except for foot and ear canal) on physical examination and if there was an age‐related difference. Animals Four hundred and thirty‐three cattle: cattle <3 months (n = 85), cattle 3 to 24 months (n = 73), and cattle >24 months (n = 275). Methods In this descriptive, observational, prospective study, CHMAs of dairy cattle admitted to the VTH of the Université de Montréal were recorded over 1 year. Prevalences were calculated. Dermatological examinations were performed within 48 hours of admission, according to a glossary. Chi‐square tests were used to compare prevalence between age groups. Results The 433 cattle were mostly females (97.5%) and of the Holstein breed (89.8%). The prevalence of cattle <3 months presenting with at least 1 identifiable CHMA was 65% (55/85). In cattle 3 to 24 months old, it was 90% (66/73), and in cattle >24 months, it was 99.3% (273/275). There were significant differences (P < .001) between the prevalence of CHMAs localized on the ischia, ilia, stifles, hocks, carpi, flank, lateral neck, dorsal cervical, and cornual regions in cattle >24 months vs <3 months. Conclusions and Clinical Importance. CHMAs were highly prevalent and age‐specific. Calluses on the carpi and hocks of cattle >24 months were the most common CHMAs.