Topical treatment of digital dermatitis associated with severe heel-horn erosion in a Swedish dairy herd

Curative effect of topical treatment of digital dermatitis with a gel containing activated copper and zinc chelate

The efficacy of two topical treatments for painful ulcerative stage (M2) of bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) lesions was compared in a clinical trial conducted on five dairy farms in 2009 to 2010. The first treatment was a water-based gel with active components copper and zinc (Intra Hoof-fit gel [IHF]) and the second treatment was a topical chlortetracycline spray (CTC spray). The experimental unit for this study was the hindleg with the presence of a BDD lesion. Cure was defined as the transition of an M2 lesion into a healed (M0) or a non-painful chronic stage (M4) of BDD at D28. On day 0, cows with M2 BDD lesions were photographed and were treated with either IHF or CTC. Subsequently, feet were photographed and scored on D28. The cure rate of M2 BDD lesions treated with IHF at D28 was 0.92 (CI 0.84 to 0.96) and was significantly better than for M2 BDD lesions treated with CTC, which was 0.58 (CI 0.47 to 0.68).

A study of duration of digital dermatitis lesions after treatment in a Danish dairy herd

Digital dermatitis (DD) is a contagious disease of cattle affecting the skin adjacent to the claws. Disease dynamics of DD have been described to some extend, but we still need to quantify the duration of lesions and look into non-treatment factors affecting this. The aim of this study was to estimate the duration of lesions due to DD and to evaluate parity and lactation stage as potential risk factors for longer duration of such lesions. An estimate of the duration of lesions will be a valuable parameter in the evaluation of the economic impact of the disease and will additionally allow estimates of incidence based on prevalence figures. From May 2007 until November 2008, lesions associated with DD in the hind legs of 151 Danish Holstein cows at the Danish Cattle Research Centre were clinically scored on fifteen occasions. The mean interval between recordings was 39 days. Onset and end of each new case were estimated as midway between recordings prior to a change in the presence or absence of a lesion. Kaplan-Meier survival functions and Cox proportional hazard regression were performed to estimate the duration and analyse differences in the duration of lesions between primi- and multiparous cows and between different stages in lactation at onset of the lesion. The median duration of lesions were estimated to be 42 days, less than most previous published estimates. The relatively aggressive regime of topical treatment in the study herd might have shortened the duration of the lesions. Furthermore the comparatively long interval between recordings introduced an element of uncertainty in this estimate. No significant effects of parity or days in milk at lesion onset on the duration of DD were found using these data though lesions developed earlier in the lactation may have a longer duration. Further data would be needed to confirm the latter.

Isolation and characterization of Treponema phagedenis-like spirochetes from digital dermatitis lesions in Swedish dairy cattle

Background

Digital dermatitis in cattle is an emerging infectious disease. Ulcerative lesions are typically located on the plantar skin between the heel bulbs and adjacent to the coronet. Spirochetes of the genus Treponema are found in high numbers in the lesions and are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to obtain pure cultures of spirochetes from cattle with digital dermatitis and to describe them further.

Methods

Tissue samples and swabs from active digital dermatitis lesions were used for culturing. Pure isolates were subjected to, molecular typing through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and an intergenic spacer PCR developed for Treponema spp. as well as API-ZYM and antimicrobial susceptibility tests. The antimicrobial agents used were tiamulin, valnemulin, tylosin, aivlosin, lincomycin and doxycycline.

Results

Seven spirochete isolates from five herds were obtained. Both 16S rRNA gene sequences, which were identical except for three polymorphic nucleotide positions, and the intergenic spacer PCR indicated that all isolates were of one yet unnamed species, most closely related to Treponema phagedenis. The enzymatic profile and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern were also similar for all isolates. However it was possible to separate the isolates through their PFGE and RAPD banding pattern.

Conclusion

This is the first report on isolation of a Treponema sp. from cattle with digital dermatitis in Scandinavia. The phylotype isolated has previously been cultured from samples from cattle in the USA and the UK and is closely related to T. phagedenis. While very similar, the isolates in this study were possible to differentiate through PFGE and RAPD indicating that these methods are suitable for subtyping of this phylotype. No antimicrobial resistance could be detected among the tested isolates.

The effect of out-wintering pad design on hoof health and locomotion score of dairy cows

This study compared locomotion, hoof health, and lameness of dairy cows confined in either indoor free stalls (FS) or 1 of 3 out-wintering pad (OWP) designs. Out-wintering pad treatments were 1) uncovered OWP with a concrete feed apron (UP); 2) covered OWP with a concrete feed apron (CO); and 3) uncovered OWP on top of which grass was ensiled so that the cows could self-feed (SP). Cows were assigned to treatment at drying off using a randomized complete block design. They remained on treatment until calving, when they were turned out to pasture. Sole lesions, heel erosion, dermatitis, and claw hardness on both hind feet were scored according to severity at assignment to treatment, at calving, and 9 and 14 wk postpartum. Locomotion score was recorded weekly after calving for 14 wk. Incidence of clinical lameness was recorded during the treatment period and in the subsequent lactation. Treatment had no effect on sole lesion score, but scores increased over time (calving = 5.5 +/- 1.3, wk 9 = 10.8 +/- 1.3, wk 14 = 14.2 +/- 1.3, mean +/- SE). Self-fed cows had higher heel erosion scores (6.4 +/- 0.4) than FS and CO cows (4.7 +/- 0.4 and 4.7 +/- 0.4, respectively) at calving. Cows on SP had the highest dermatitis scores [1.14 (0-2) mean (interquartile range)] and FS cows the lowest [0.51 (0-0)]. Hooves were hardest at assignment to treatment (43.9 +/- 0.6) with a significant reduction in hardness at calving (40.0 +/- 0.6). The hooves of CO cows were harder than those of SP and UP cows (CO = 43.3 +/- 0.7, SP = 41.7 +/- 0.7, UP = 41.7 +/- 0.7, Shore D scale). There was no treatment effect on locomotion scores or lameness incidence. Higher dermatitis scores and heel erosion in SP may be due to exposure to excreta and moisture, because the SP treatment had no manure removal system at the feed face. In FS, the alleys and the feed face were cleaned regularly by automatic scraper, explaining the lower dermatitis scores recorded indoors. Providing shelter for OWP likely reduced exposure to environmental moisture. This ensured that the hooves of CO cows remained as hard as those of FS cows. Low correlations between hardness and pathologies indicate that other factors are involved in the development of hoof pathologies. Confining dry dairy cows on OWP does not increase locomotion scores or lameness incidence.

Treatment strategies for digital dermatitis for the UK

Digital dermatitis is a worldwide disease causing lameness in cattle, especially when housed. Despite its widespread nature there are relatively few peer-reviewed articles providing experimental data concerning its treatment and control. At the risk of descending to anecdote, this review attempts to summarise the current state of knowledge. Three approaches to digital dermatitis treatment have been used: (1) systemic antibiotics, (2) individual topical treatment, and (3) mass topical therapy using a footbath. Systemic antibiotics have become a rare treatment because of their cost and perceived lack of efficacy. Individual topical treatment, mainly with antibiotic preparations, is the most commonly reported method. It is widely considered the treatment of choice by virtue of reliable information about efficacy, the advantage of precise targeting of antibiotic usage and the requirements of legislation. However, at least in the UK, mass treatment of digital dermatitis by foot bathing is commonly used on many farms. In some cases, for example with antibiotic footbath solutions, these treatments create legislative, health and safety and environmental difficulties. Despite the widespread use of many different treatments, there is a lack of good comparative data and the consequence is a very variable and somewhat anecdotal approach in the field. There is a pressing need for well-researched treatment strategies for different herd situations.

Herd- and cow-level prevalence of digital dermatitis in the Netherlands and associated risk factors

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to reevaluate the prevalence of digital dermatitis (DD) and associated risk factors in The Netherlands. Between May 2002 and December 2003, information about the presence or absence of DD lesions and other claw disorders on the hind claws of dairy cows in The Netherlands was collected by 20 hoof trimmers during trimming of all dairy cows in 383 herds. A questionnaire was used to acquire information regarding management and housing. Additional information, such as parity, breed, and stage of lactation of the cows, was provided by the Dutch Herd Book Organization. Digital dermatitis was present in 21.2% (SE = 0.3) of the study population (n = 22,454 cows). The herd prevalence varied from 0% (9.1% of the herds) to 83.0%. Most common was herd prevalence between 5 and 10%. The Holstein-Friesian breed was at higher risk for DD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.7] than was the Meuse Rhine IJssel breed (dual purpose breed). The risk for DD decreased with increasing parity. Cows at the peak of their lactation (30 to 60 d in milk) and in the third parity had higher odds for DD in comparison with cows that were later than 60 DIM. The presence of other claw disorders, such as interdigital dermatitis/heel horn erosion (IDHE), interdigital hyperplasia (HYP), and interdigital phlegmon, appeared to be predisposing for DD. Based on estimation of the population-attributable fraction, it was concluded that if IDHE, HYP, and interdigital phlegmon were not present among the study population, respectively, 32.2, 9.0, and 1.1% of the DD cases could have been prevented. The risk for DD slightly decreased when cows affected by IDHE had access to pasture. Because of the interrelation between infectious claw disorders, an effective intervention strategy against DD should focus on an integrated approach to the control of all infectious claw diseases. Cows trimmed >12 mo before the study (during regular trimming of the entire herd) were at lower risk for DD than were cows that were trimmed at shorter intervals. Animals that had >8 h of access to pasture were at higher risk for DD (OR = 1.6) compared with no access to pasture. Finally, cows in small-sized herds (<45 cows) affected with HYP were at lower risk (OR = 0.6) for DD than were cows affected with HYP in medium- and large-sized herds (60 to 85 cows per herd).

Risk factors for digital dermatitis in dairy cows kept in cubicle houses in The Netherlands

The presence of digital dermatitis (DD) in dairy cows has increased considerably over the last 10 years in The Netherlands, resulting in a current prevalence of approximately 30% in cows kept in cubicle houses. Our objective was to evaluate a diversified sample of cow- and herd-related risk factors for DD in dairy cows housed in cubicle houses with different flooring systems. Associations were analysed in random-effects logistic-regression models using 2,134 cows (37 herds) and 2,892 cows (47 herds) in the pasture and housing studies, respectively. At cow-level, the odds of having DD were increased in the case of lower parity and lactation. Important risk factors at herd-level were: restricted grazing time, fast rise in concentrate amount after calving, feeding by-products, herd trimming only at long intervals, and introduction of dry cows into the lactating herd before calving. The odds for DD were lower if cows were housed on a slatted floor with manure scraper and provided long and wide cubicles, and if calves were reared in the dairy cows' accommodation.

Efficacy of the Non-antibiotic Paste ProtexinR Hoof-Care for Topical Treatment of Digital Dermatitis in Dairy Cows

In this study, the efficacy of the non-antibiotic paste Protexin Hoof-Care containing metallic salts and organic acids, was tested for local treatment of 26 acute digital dermatitis lesions. The control group (26 cases) was treated with local application of oxytetracycline spray. These 52 affected limbs with digital dermatitis were diagnosed in 47 dairy cows from eight different farms with slatted floors. The therapeutic effect was evaluated using a scoring system for weightbearing at stance, lameness at walk and pain of the digital dermatitis lesions. The pre-treatment and control examination scores were documented on days 0, 4, 10 and 28. Both treatment regimens were effective, no statistical differences regarding the examined parameters was found between the group treated with the non-antibiotic Protexin Hoof-Care paste and the group treated with oxytetracycline spray. Twenty-seven digital dermatitis lesions required only one treatment with one of these products. A second topical treatment was carried out on day 4 in 13 lesions of the study group and in 12 lesions of the control group. The data of this pilot study indicate that the non-antibiotic paste Protexin Hoof-Care could be a valuable alternative to topical antibiotic treatment for digital dermatitis in dairy cattle.

The effect of claw trimming on the hoof health of Swedish dairy cattle

A 2-year experiment on the effect of claw trimming on hoof health was performed in 77 Swedish dairy herds (3444 dairy cattle) selected on herd size, breed composition and membership in the official milk-recording scheme. In the autumn, cows within each herd were blocked according to breed, parity and stage of lactation and allocated to two treatments: autumn trimming (AT) or no autumn trimming (NAT). Outcome variables were claw measurements and prevalence of hoof lesions and lameness (measured at spring trimming) and the need for hoof treatments between scheduled trimmings. At spring trimming, NAT cows had longer and shallower claws than AT cows. The average net growth of the toe wall was greater for AT than for NAT cattle, with a marked variation between housing systems. Most hoof lesions present at AT had disappeared at the subsequent spring trimming. Controlled for clustering by herd-within-year and for the effects of individual-and herd-level covariates, AT cattle at spring trimmings had significantly lower odds of lameness (OR=0.66) and of haemorrhages of the sole or white-line (OR=0.86), sole ulcer (OR=0.59) and white-line fissure or double sole (OR=0.71)-but not of moderate-to-severe heel-horn erosion or dermatitis (OR=0.96). Acute hoof treatments between claw trimmings were more common in the NAT group (OR=2.02).