Bovine digital dermatitis: Current concepts from laboratory to farm

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Animal Welfare

Background:

• Bovine digital dermatitis (DD) is a significant global dairy cattle disease causing lameness and economic losses.
• Specific treponeme phylotypes are strongly implicated as causative agents of bovine DD.
• Understanding transmission routes and reservoirs is crucial for effective control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current research on bovine digital dermatitis (DD).
• To investigate Treponema spp. associated with DD, its pathobiology, and treatment/control options.
• To identify effective interventions and highlight areas for future research.

Main Methods:

• Review of epidemiological and microbiological data on bovine DD.
• Analysis of Treponema spp. investigations and pathobiology.
• Evaluation of current and potential treatment and control strategies.

Main Results:

• Improved on-farm hygiene, housing, pasture access, footbathing, and claw trimming are essential for reducing DD incidence.
• Many commonly used antibiotics for DD are not the most efficacious based on in vitro studies.
• There is a need for more research into appropriate antibiotic treatments and non-antibiotic prevention methods.

Conclusions:

• Implementing enhanced biosecurity and management practices can significantly reduce DD.
• Current antibiotic treatments for DD may be suboptimal, necessitating the development of more effective options.
• Further research into vaccination and transmission blocking is vital for future DD eradication.