Foot RotDigital Dermatitis VCM602VMD 602 Ruminant Medicine II

Foot Rot/Digital Dermatitis VCM-602/VMD 602 Ruminant Medicine – II Dr. Ranveer Kumar Sinha Assistant Professor cum Junior Scientist E-mail: ranveervet@rediffmail. com Department of Veterinary Medicine Bihar Veterinary College, Patna – 800 014 (BASU, Patna)

INTRODUCTION Dewclaws: • Just distal to the fetlock joint • Tool for detecting generalized swelling in the foot Bovine Foot Rot (BFR): Foul of the foot, interdigital necrobacillosis, interdigital phlegmon • Bacterial infection of the interdigital skin and subcutaneous tissue • Foot becomes visibly swollen above the coronary band

ETIOLOGY BFR: Development of disease: • Fusobacterium necrophorum • Bacteria -Source: GI tract & therefore manure • Interdigital skin has to be damaged by: Wetness & feces, maceration, Abrasions BFR epidemiology: • Wetness and poor hygiene • Pens with poor slope • Not contagious

TREATMENT • Injectable antibiotics (ABs) – Ceftiofur, oxytetracycline, penicillin, ampicillin for 3 -5 days • Topical AB • Iodine under bandage • Analgesics: Flunixin or aspirin • Suuportive: Antihistaminic, Sodabicarb etc

PREVENTION • Beneath! Environmental hygiene - Proper slope and drainage to pens • Adequate nutrition for “resilient” skin - Zinc, Copper, Biotin, Iodine • Footbaths • Educate: Early intervention

DIGITAL DERMATITIS (DD) • Digital Dermatitis (DD) hairy heel warts, papillomatous digital dermatitis • A contagious disease that appears to be caused by multiple bacteria acting together • “Spirochetes” (Treponema) involved • Typical location: Interdigital skin just above the heels • Mild to moderate lameness • Begins as a red, eroded, granular area, slowly expands in size

RISK FACTOR Development of Disease in DD: • Rear legs > Fore; suggesting exposure to manure, shorter heels of hind feet may predispose Risk factors for DD: • Poor hygiene and wet conditions • Introduction of new animals without quarantine – it’s a contagious disease • Inanimate objects (fomites): hoof trimming equipment, dirty boots

TREATMENT • Topical antiseptics or antibiotics under a light bandage • Flunixin meglumine or aspirin for pain if severe • Resolve quickly with treatment (2 -4 days) • Copper sulfate powder under a bandage • Iodine mixed together into an ointment under a bandage

PREVENTION Spray hind feet with: • Disinfectant • antiseptic • antibiotic solution Prevention of DD: • Clean tools, hoof knives, boots; clean coveralls on each premise