Infectious causes of lameness - cattle

Question 1

What pathogen causes Digital Dermatitis?

Answer 1

Treponema spp (spirochetes)
T. denticola, T. medium, T. phagedenis

Question 2

What is the classification scale for digital dermatitis?

Answer 2

M scale
M0 = normal
M1 = early, small lesion <2cm
M2 = acute, active ulcerative or granulomatous lesion >2cm
M3 = healing stage, scab
M4 = late chronic stage, may have thickened epithelium or proliferations
M4.1 = chronic stage with subacute components

Question 3

Treponemes are the pathogen found in digital dermatitis, but this pathogen alone is not enough. What else must there be to cause DD?

Answer 3

Skin damage

Skin damage + treponema’s = DD

Question 4

Name some risk factors for digital dermatitis

Answer 4

Exposure to slurry or wet conditions
Loss of skin integrity
Lack off biosecurity/poor hygiene
Overcrowding (causes increased standing times)
Genetics
1st lactation cows

Question 5

Which cows are at increased risk for digital dermatitis?

Answer 5

1st lactation cows

Question 6

How is Digital Dermatitis treated?

Answer 6

Clean and dry lesion
Topical antibiotics 
\+/- salicylic acid, wrapping and NSAIDs
Foot bathing
(Blitz approach - screening and treating whole herd)

Question 7

What is the etiological agent of Foul in the Foot (interdigital phlegmon)?

Answer 7

Fusobacterium necrophorum

Question 8

How do the clinical signs of Foul in the Foot differ from Digital dermatitis?

Answer 8

Foul in the foot - acute, smelly, swelling above claws, very painful
DD - no smell

Question 9

How is foul in the foot treated?

Answer 9

Clean lesion and remove necrotic tissue
Systemic antibiotics (tylosin)

Question 10

What pathogen causes Interdigital Dermatitis?

Answer 10

Dichelobacter nodosus

Question 11

Interdigital dermatitis can lead to what other foot condition if it spreads…

Answer 11

Heel horn erosion

Question 12

How is interdigital dermatitis treated?

Answer 12

May not require Tx if mild
Topical antibiotics
Foot bathing

Question 13

Heel horn erosion is progressive destruction of the heel horn. How is it treated?

Answer 13

Foot trimming

Topical antibiotics

Question 14

Name the etiological agents for
Digital dermatitis
Foul in the foot
Interdigital dermatitis

Answer 14

DD = Treponemes
Foul in the foot = Fusobacterium necrophorum
Interdigital dermatitis = Dichelobacter nodosus