By Kofler, J., Wiener Tierarztliche Monatsschrift, 1997
Description
In one farm, 87 animals (= 42.4 %) were affected by digital dermatitis (''Mortellaro disease''). Of the cows housed an slatted floors with cubicles 70 % were affected, and of the cows housed on deep straw 33 % were affected. The animals suffering from digital and / or interdigital dermatitis showed the lesions typical for the condition: round, 2 to 8 am in diameter, red, hairless, and painful; the chronic stages showed a papillomatous appearance. Most of the lesions were located immediately proximal to the horn-skin junction plantar or palmar adjacent to the heels, less common on the dorsal aspect of the digit or in the interdigital space. The affected cows showed a stiff gait, seldom a moderate lameness. Digits of the hindlimbs were predominantly involved. Bacteriological examination of lesion swaps and pathohistological examinations of excised tissue revealed spirochaetes. The prevalence of digital dermatitis in this dairy herd could be reduced to 20 % in the stall with ?he slatted floor and to 6.7 % in the deep straw yard within 7 weeks. The claws and the lesions were carefully cleaned with water using a high pressure hose, and an oxytetracycline spray was repeatedly applied. Housing hygiene was generally improved. The extensive international literature on etiology, predisposing factors and various therapeutic regimens of digital dermatitis is discussed.
In one farm, 87 animals (= 42.4 %) were affected by digital dermatitis (''Mortellaro disease''). Of the cows housed an slatted floors with cubicles 70 % were affected, and of the cows housed on deep straw 33 % were affected. The animals suffering from digital and / or interdigital dermatitis showed the lesions typical for the condition: round, 2 to 8 am in diameter, red, hairless, and painful; the chronic stages showed a papillomatous appearance. Most of the lesions were located immediately proximal to the horn-skin junction plantar or palmar adjacent to the heels, less common on the dorsal aspect of the digit or in the interdigital space. The affected cows showed a stiff gait, seldom a moderate lameness. Digits of the hindlimbs were predominantly involved. Bacteriological examination of lesion swaps and pathohistological examinations of excised tissue revealed spirochaetes. The prevalence of digital dermatitis in this dairy herd could be reduced to 20 % in the stall with ?he slatted floor and to 6.7 % in the deep straw yard within 7 weeks. The claws and the lesions were carefully cleaned with water using a high pressure hose, and an oxytetracycline spray was repeatedly applied. Housing hygiene was generally improved. The extensive international literature on etiology, predisposing factors and various therapeutic regimens of digital dermatitis is discussed.
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