Development and evaluation of two different lameness models in meat goats, a pilot study.

Lameness is a serious health concern for livestock species. Understanding individual animal response to pain and characterization of lameness are critical when developing appropriate treatments. The objectives of this pilot study was to evaluate two different lameness models and measures for determining response to induced lameness in meat goats. Lameness was induced by intraarticular injection into the left hind lateral claw distal interphalangeal joint with either amphotericin B (Amp-B) or kaolin-carrageenan (K-C). Response to lameness was characterized by behavior scoring, visual lameness scoring (VLS), infrared thermography (IRT) of the affected digit, pressure mat gait analysis (PMT), and plasma cortisol (CORT) analysis. Lame goats had higher VLS compared to controls (P = 0.003). Maximum temperatures measured in hooves from lame vs control goats were significantly higher (P = 0.003). Pressure mat analysis demonstrated, when compared to controls, lame goats had decreased force (P = 0.013), impulse (P = 0.007), contact pressure (P = 0.007), and contact area of the left hind limb (P = 0.009). Mean CORT levels 4 and 6 h after lameness induction were higher in lame goats (P = 0.005, P = 0.01). The two lameness methods reliably induced lameness of varying severity in healthy meat goats.