ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE June 2024 35 • 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
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