Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining cow health and immune function. A well-balanced and properly formulated diet can support rumen health and optimize the cow’s ability to combat lameness challenges, including digital dermatitis.
Key Account Manager Ruminant NA
Cargill Animal Nutrition
Heat stress poses a significant threat to the health and performance of cows, often leading to various issues, including lameness problems such as digital dermatitis. Digital dermatitis is a common hoof condition that affects dairy cattle worldwide, causing pain and discomfort, and impacting overall productivity. According to Wisconsin State Farmer, it has been reported on 70 percent of all U.S. dairies and on 95 percent of large operations comprising 500 cows or more.
To effectively manage digital dermatitis and minimize its negative consequences, it is crucial for dairy producers and managers to adopt appropriate strategies and practices. In this article, we will explore some insightful management tips that can help overcome digital dermatitis and enhance the well-being of cows.
Heat stress has a dramatic impact on cow health and performance. When a cow has been through heat stress, lameness issues could surface including digital dermatitis.
Heat stress is a pervasive concern in the dairy industry, particularly in regions with hot and humid climates. When cows are exposed to high temperatures and humidity, their physiological systems are strained, leading to reduced feed intake, altered metabolism, and compromised immune function. These heat-induced challenges can weaken the cow’s natural defense mechanisms, making them more susceptible to various diseases, including digital dermatitis.
Digital dermatitis, also known as hairy heel warts, is a highly contagious bacterial infection affecting the skin of the hooves, primarily the rear feet of dairy cattle. It is characterized by painful lesions, redness, swelling, and foul-smelling discharge. The condition not only causes discomfort and lameness but also results in reduced milk production and decreased fertility, thereby posing significant economic losses to producers.
The M-stages scoring systems, developed by Dr. Dörte Döpfer from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, is an effective way to diagnose and monitor digital dermatitis. This system classifies cows showing signs of digital dermatitis into one of five disease stages: M1, M2, M3, M4, and M4.1 (in addition, healthy digital skin is classified as M0).
• M0 stage: Normal, healthy skin without signs of DD.
• M1 stage: Early stage of DD; a small, focal active, red-grey, circumscribed lesion less than 2 cm in diameter located in the skin of the interdigital cleft (plantar or dorsal) or in any other location of the skin around the clow or on the exposed corium of claw horn lesions.
• M2 stage: Acute, bright red or red-gray ulcerative and painful lesion of a minimum of 2 cm in diameter located on the skin of the plantar interdigital cleft.
• M3 stage: Healing, painless M3 lesion seen after tropical treatment covered with firm, brown/gray/green-blue or black scab material.
• M4 stage: Chronic stage characterized by a non-painful, clearly circumscribed lesion of various sizes showing hyperkeratotic overgrowths.
• M4.1 stage: Chronic M4 stages showing a new red M1 lesion (circled) developing within the chronic dyskeratotic M4 lesion on the plantar interdigital skin.
This classification system can aid dairy producers and veterinarians to improve their hoof health program and evaluate the effectiveness of current treatment and prevention protocols, helping break the cycle of digital dermatitis.
A FEW MANAGEMENT TIPS THAT CAN HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF DIGITAL DERMATITIS
To combat digital dermatitis effectively, a comprehensive management approach is required. Here are some key tips that can help reduce the risk of this challenging disease:
• Maintaining Optimal Hygiene: Proper hygiene practices are essential to prevent the spread and recurrence of digital dermatitis. Regularly cleaning the barns, alleys, and milking parlors, and promptly removing manure can help minimize the bacterial load in the environment. Providing clean and dry bedding, such as sand or sawdust, can also reduce the risk of infection.
• Footbath Protocols: Implementing effective footbath protocols is crucial for managing digital dermatitis. Footbaths containing antimicrobial agents, such as copper sulfate, can help control the spread of bacteria. Make sure you are using the proper concentrations of chemicals. It is important to ensure that footbaths are well-maintained, the correct size (2 -3 dunks), regularly replenished with fresh solution, and that cows have adequate contact time with the solution for optimal efficacy. Another good recommendation is to do a soap bath for a few days per week prior to running your treatment, to improve Hygiene scores.
• Early Detection and Treatment: Regular hoof inspection and cleaning by trained personnel is vital for early detection of digital dermatitis lesions. Prompt identification enables timely intervention and treatment, preventing the condition from worsening. Treatment options may include topical antimicrobials, foot wraps, or bandages. It is important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
• Environmental Modifications: Creating a comfortable and conducive environment for cows is crucial in preventing digital dermatitis. Providing adequate shade, proper ventilation, and cooling, can help alleviate heat stress. Additionally, maintaining clean and dry walking surfaces can reduce the risk of infection and minimize the spread of bacteria associated with digital dermatitis.
• Monitoring and Record-Keeping: Maintaining detailed records of individual cows’ health and treatment history can provide valuable insights into the prevalence and severity of digital dermatitis within the herd. Regular monitoring of hoof health, lesion occurrence, and treatment outcomes enable producers to identify trends, assess the effectiveness of management strategies, and make informed decisions for disease prevention and control.
• Diet adjustments can help cows maintain a consistent rumen environment and overcome lameness challenges
Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining cow health and immune function. A well-balanced and properly formulated diet can support rumen health and optimize the cow’s ability to combat lameness challenges, including digital dermatitis. Ensuring an adequate supply of high-quality forage, balanced mineral supplementation, and maintaining optimal rumen pH through careful ration formulation can positively impact hoof health. Incorporating proper feed additives such as a postbiotic product can help stabilize the rumen, enhance microbiome populations, support gut integrity, and maintain intake and digestion – providing more available energy to the animal. Ultimately, this can result in greater profitability on the farm. Consultation with a professional nutritionist can aid in adjusting the diet to ensure adequate rumen function, which contributes to overall hoof health and resilience against diseases.
In conclusion, digital dermatitis presents a significant challenge for the dairy industry, affecting the well-being and lifetime productivity of cows. By implementing effective management strategies, such as maintaining optimal hygiene, following proper footbath protocols, early detection and treatment, as well as adjusting the diet to support rumen health, dairy producers can minimize the occurrence and severity of digital dermatitis. Through proactive measures and a comprehensive approach, the impact of digital dermatitis on cow health and performance can be effectively managed, leading to improved animal welfare and enhanced productivity in the dairy sector.
About Jeff Wheeler
As National Accounts Manager, Ruminant Field Technical Specialist, Jeff Wheeler is responsible for providing sales and technical leadership for Diamond V’s business in North America.
Wheeler attended the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens, graduating with a B.S. in Dairy Science. He then continued his education at UGA and received his M.S. in Ruminant Nutrition. He brings over 20 years of dairy industry expertise to his position at Diamond V.
