Abstract :
A survey of lameness in goats was carried out at Magadu farm, Morogoro, Tanzania during
the rainy and dry season of 1996, 1997 and 1998 involving 383, 449 and 438 animals, respectively.
Digital lesions as cause of lamenesswere diagnosed through clinical and radiological
evaluations. For the 3 years of study, a significantly (P < 0.001) higher prevalence of lameness
was recorded during rain seasons than dry season (7.3%).Under the management conditions
employed at Magadu adult goats suffered more (69.5%) than the young ones (31.5%). Of the
adults, male goats were more affected by lameness (85%) than females (67.3%). The hind
limbs appeared to be most affected (P < 0.05; prevalence 62.4%) by lameness compared to
the forelimbs (prevalence 37.6%). Radiography of the affected foot revealed periarticular soft
tissue swelling, distension of the joint capsule, widening of the joint space and osteolysis of
the articular joint surfaces. To conclude, the study found the occurrences of lameness due
to digital diseases were largely related to the climatic conditions and management factors.
