Managing and treating digital dermatitis

Most UK dairy herds are now considered to be a ected by DD. Veterinary surgeon and ruminant veterinary advisor at Ceva Animal Health, Kythe Mackenzie, o ers a guide to e ective scoring, control and treatment.

DD infection usually results in ulcerated and/ or wart-type lesions around the heel bulbs and between the claws, but lesions can also be seen on the hock and udder skin. Lesions can be classi ed using the M score scoring system (see table). On an individual animal, several lesions at di erent stages of the disease may be found at any one time.

It takes in the region of four months for an active lesion to be seen following infection of healthy skin. However, in the persistence of disease in the herd the reactivation of chronic (M4) lesions is more important and can occur within two weeks.

Impact and cost

As one of the most common causes of lameness and with a prolonged duration, DD can significantly impact welfare and production.

In one study, heifers that had one or more DD lesion in the six months pre-calving had 24 more days open and a reduction in milk yield of 335kg in their first lactation compared to heifers that had no lesions. In another study, DD had a negative impact on welfare and a reduction of up to 5.5kg per day in milk yield for up to six weeks.

AHDB recently assessed the cost of lameness at £2.20 a day and the cost of a case of DD is estimated to be in the region of £100.

Control is key

Biosecurity is vital – infected animals are the primary source of infection and the bacteria can be spread by animals or equipment. Slurry impacts skin quality, allowing the infection to be established and may lead to bacterial transmission.

External biosecurity keeps the disease or new strains of the bacteria out of the herd. New animals should be isolated and have their feet inspected. Any lesions identi ed should be treated and all animals footbathed regularly during the quarantine period to reduce the risk of disease incursion.

Internal biosecurity aims to minimise infection pressures – excellent hygiene and slurry management are important, alongside disinfection of hoof knives between animals with a contact time of at least 20 seconds. The whole herd, including dry cows and heifers, must be considered when putting control plans in place. To prevent infection entering heifer groups, separate equipment and boot dips should be used by sta .

Footbathing is a mainstay of both control and treatment for DD (and other foot lesions). The foot bath should permit good cow ow, have an appropriate depth and frequency of contact using the correct concentration of biocide (your vet will recommend the most appropriate agent for your farm).

Table: M score scoring system

Active lesions

M1: < 2cm focal lesion 0: No lesions – check between claws

M2: >2cm ulcerated or granulated lesion M3: Healing stage

Inactive lesions Treatment options

Identifying a ected cows can be a challenge. Examination of the area between the claws is important to improve this process. Most DD lesions are seen on the hind feet, so examination can be performed in the parlour with the aid of a bright light and a mirror to examine the interdigital space (spreading pliers can be useful).

When treating individual animals, it is important to follow a standard process to ensure all lesions are treated correctly: • Lift and trim as necessary • Clean the identi ed lesion(s) removing any scabs and surface discharge • Dry the area and apply topical treatment as advised by your vet.

A recent study supports the use of a zero milk withhold NSAID for pain relief and antiin ammatory activity in cows with active DD lesions. During the study, all cows with an active DD lesion were treated as per the protocol above, then one group had a single injection of a zero milk withhold anti-in ammatory drug whilst the control animals did not.

The results showed that lame animals at the time of diagnosis were 20 times less likely to be lame a week later if treated with the NSAID. There was also a bene t in milk yield – on average, treated animals gave nearly 3kg more but the freshly calved cows, which were lame at diagnosis, gave over 10kg more.

Whole herd (‘blitz’) treatment can be used to reduce the number of active lesions and bacterial load; this is important when we consider how long it can take for a newly infected cow to develop a visible lesion. For a blitz treatment, all cows (milking and dry) are examined and treated before management changes are implemented to maintain the reduction in infection pressure that treatment has established.

DD management should aim to reduce the exposure to the causal bacteria and treatment needs to be prompt and e ective. The use of a NSAID can improve cattle welfare as well as production outcomes. FG

Hoof trimming range on display at Dairy-Tech

Farmers Guide caught up with farm supply company BD Supplies at Dairy-Tech in April, and saw the KVK hoof trimming chute on display, which won the Royal Highland Technical Innovation Gold award.

The chutes are built with user safety and cow comfort at the forefront of the design, the company says. A hydraulic lift system brings the chute to working height, with hydraulic leg winches, belly harnesses and head gate. The double belly harness system holds the cow securely without pushing it against the front head gate.

Particularly popular at the show was the range of Intracare hoof sprays and gels, which are antibiotic-free. The Repiderma spray joins the Hoof- t Gel, Liquid and Bath products. The active ingredients of Repiderma are chelated minerals which can penetrate deeply into the skin in a short time.

BD Supplies’ wide range of hoof trimming products on display at the show also included hoof blocks and its own-brand hoof block adhesive which is available in 178ml and 200ml tubes, and works with both wooden and rubber hoof blocks. The company also o ers a comprehensive range of animal husbandry equipment including the Medi-Dart extension syringe for injecting cattle in the eld. Products are available via the web shop – www. bdsupplies.co.uk – or can be ordered over the phone. FG

High quality handling systems essential for safety

Proper handling facilities kept in good working order, and a race and crush suitable for the animals being handled, are essential to avoid injury when handling livestock.

Family business Stockpen UK supplies high quality, heavy-duty sheep handling gates, mobile cattle systems, mobile sheep handling systems, stockyards and calving gates at competitive prices – delivered nationwide.

All products have a hot dipped galvanised nish and come complete with joining pins and accessories where necessary. Gates are eight-railed for multi-use of small and large livestock – meaning one system is versatile to cover all applications.

Among the company’s best sellers are its mobile systems for cattle and sheep. Overall, the company says it has a 96% customer satisfaction rate.

The versatile mobile sheep handling system has a yard holding capacity of approximately 300 ewes with existing fencing and o ers on-the-spot animal treatment. It is also easily transportable and quick and e ortless to assemble and operate, Stockpen says.

Larger and smaller systems are also on order and in stock. Contact the company directly for more information or to place an order. FG

PHONE OR ORDER ONLINE E

KVK Hoof Trimming Chutes for Farmers & the Professional

Tel: 01738 842996 www.bdsupplies.co.uk sales@bdsupplies.co.uku Welcome to Stockpen UK

You can contact Edward Finney on Facebook

A family run business for over 50 years, o�ering an excellent service We supply high quality, heavy duty Sheep Handling Gates, Mobile Cattle Systems, Mobile Sheep Handling Systems, Stockyards and Calving Gates at competitive prices, delivered Nationwide

NEW!

SUPPLIERS OF HOOF TRIMMING AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY EQUIPMENT

Mobile Sheep Handling System

Our price: £2,490+VAT

• Holds an average of up to 200 sheep • 16ft sheeted race • Guillotine plus sheep shedder • Ten 10’ panels • Eight-barred and double strapped

Mobile Cattle System

Our price: £2,190+VAT

• 60ft holding pen • 20ft race – with cattle sliding gate • Safely holds 45 fully grown cattle • Cattle sliding gate optional extra • Crush gate optional extra

Nationwide Delivery Charge £100 Call us 01757 668 517 • 07810 516 499 www.stockpen.uk

Operator comfort a focus for customisable crushes

Over the past 40 years, Wopa has developed a wide range of hoof trimming crushes, from the original green SA0018 to the latest SA0061 Track Drive. Wopa UK says there is a comprehensive selection for farmers and contractors, with options to customise the crushes to suit your individual requirements.

Contractors’ models, the SA51 and SA61 are built in Holland to the customers’ specification. The crush can be raised for an easier working environment and kick plates are there to prevent cows getting their back feet through the lower part of the crush.

Easy to manoeuvre and lightweight, the SA49 and SA39 are a cross between the farmer and contractor models.

Meanwhile the farmers’ models, SA22 and SA26, are put together in the UK and can also be customised, with an option of a wind up angled front leg rest for better presentation of the foot, and making it easier to raise the leg into position. Wopa UK can add motors to the tops of these models to operate the bellyband and back lift straps. As well as operator comfort and performance, animal welfare is at the heart of the company’s hoof care range.

Its equipment for trimming and treatment has evolved to include bandages, hoof blocks and glue, treatment pastes and sprays, rasps and hoof knives. Wopa UK can also supply freeze brands and cold boxes. FG

87398