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| THE BASICS: Digital
Dermatitis is a skin disease primarily affecting the area directly
behind the heels, but can also be found between the claws and at
the juncture between the skin and corium near the front of the
claw. It is a highly infectious disease characterized by very
painful raw areas that sometimes protrude beyond the surface of the skin
acquiring wart like features and long hair like growths. The
disease is widespread throughout the world and has a variety of names:
Hairy Heelwart, Hairy Footwart, Strawberry Footwarts, Raspberry heel,
Verrucous Dermatitis, Mortellaro or Mortellaro's Disease, Digital
Dermatitis and Papillomatous Digital Dermatitis. The
responsible organism is thought to be of an anaerobic nature and thrives
in wet manure laden slurry commonly found in many modern dairy housing
areas. Topical application of antibiotic products and footbaths
are the most often used method of treatment.
Digital Dermatitis is a widespread and costly disease. Researchers are scrambling to find ways to manage and possible cure the disease. Because it is a relatively new problem for the dairy industry, much is unknown and the latest research soon becomes obsolete as new information replaces the old. As you browse through some of the following links, keep in mind the dates when the material was produced as some of the information may no longer be valid, especially with reference to suggested methods of treatment. As more recent information becomes available the old will be replaced. Check out Dr. Paul Greenough's Encyclopedia of Cattle Lameness at www.cowdoc.net, an excellent resource on cattle lameness put together by Dr. Paul Greenough and other professionals. |
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