Efficacy of non-antibiotic treatment options for digital dermatitis on an organic dairy farm

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two non-antibiotic treatment options for digital dermatitis (DD) in an organic certified dairy farm. A randomized clinical trial was conducted using 70 multiparous Holstein cows with an early DD lesion at a USDA certified organic dairy farm in Northern Colorado, USA. Cows were enrolled in the study based on the presence of early DD lesions (scores M1 and M2) and randomly assigned to one of three treatments: (1) topical application of copper sulfate and iodine (CUI); (2) topical application of honey and iodine (HOI); and (3) control subject to no treatment (CON). Cows were evaluated at enrolment and on days 3, 12, 28, and 120 post treatment for pain and lesion size and received a locomotion and a lesion score. Cure was defined as the transition from active to non-active stages (M1/M2 to M0 or M4).The formulations had variable effects on the treatment of DD. The cure rate was numerically higher for CUI on all follow up days. The proportion of cows experiencing pain on d3 after treatment was greater in CON, followed by HOI and CUI. However, this proportion increased in HOI during the follow up period. The CUI group had a greater reduction in lesion size and larger lesions persisted in HOI. Non-antibiotic treatment formulations were partially effective in the treatment of DD in organic dairy cows: The two nonantibiotic formulations resulted in an earlier transition to mature lesions compared with the control group. The CUI combination was the most effective treatment in reducing lesion size, pain, and lameness in affected cows. However, this combination had short-term efficacy, which did not persist throughout the duration of the study. The HOI combination produced only transient reduction in lesion size.

M-score and wound healing assessment of 2 nonantibiotic topical gel treatments of active digital dermatitis lesions in dairy cattle

“…Another limitation is the short duration of follow-up in our study. Most other studies incorporated a lesion assessment at d 28 after topical treatment, with lower M-score improvement rates than earlier assessments, due to recrudescence of lesions or development of new lesions (Berry et al, 2010;Holzhauer et al, 2011;Paudyal et al, 2020).…”

Phenytoin: A promising non-antibiotic drug for the topical treatment of digital dermatitis in dairy cows

“…Individual antibiotic topical treatment is the most well-documented method for the treatment of bovine DD (BDD) [ 17 ]. However, this method has been associated with the development of bacterial resistance with concurrent hazards related to environmental contamination [ 11 ].…”

“…One individual performed a subjective examination of the affected cows while walking and resting as a clinical finding score before and during treatment ( Table-2 ). Lameness was graded on a scale from 0 to 3, with 0 indicating no lameness and 3 indicating significant lameness [ 17 ]. Foot retraction (mild, score 1), abnormal foot trembling (moderate, score 2), and/or non-weight-bearing were used to assess pain using rigid digital pressure with one thumb (severe, score 3) [ 18 ].…”

Evaluation of the use of ketoprofen for the treatment of digital dermatitis in dairy cattle: A randomised, positive controlled, clinical trial

“…A commonly chosen treatment method in the UK includes the application of an antibiotic spray topically 12 . Non‐antibiotic treatments, such as copper sulphate and iodine, have been proven insufficiently effective at achieving a cure, though they may accelerate the recovery rate 13 . Many cases treated with topical antibiotics require repeated treatments 10 …”

“…12 Non-antibiotic treatments, such as copper sulphate and iodine, have been proven insufficiently effective at achieving a cure, though they may accelerate the recovery rate. 13 Many cases treated with topical antibiotics require repeated treatments. 10 Some stages of DD are painful, but there has been little research to determine the value of including analgesia in the treatment of DD.…”