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Contagious impetigo in a dairy cattle herd
Israel Yeruham1, Daniel Elad2, Shmuel Perl2
1'Hachaklait', Gedera and The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
Veterinary Dermatology
|October 14, 2021
Summary
Intensive showering of lactating dairy cows during summer months was associated with outbreaks of impetigo and furunculosis. Lesions resolved after showering ceased, with minimal antibiotic treatment required.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Animal Health
- Bovine Medicine
Background:
- Dairy cattle management often involves cooling measures during hot weather.
- Skin conditions can impact herd health and productivity.
Observation:
- An outbreak of impetigo and furunculosis occurred in lactating dairy cows during summer.
- Affected animals were subjected to intensive showering protocols.
- Control cows (heifers, dry cows, and neighboring un-showered herd) remained unaffected.
Findings:
- Skin lesions significantly declined following the cessation of showering.
- Only a small percentage of animals (7.3% cows, 20% first-calving cows) required parenteral antibiotic treatment.
- The association suggests showering may predispose cows to these skin conditions.
Implications:
- Water application methods in dairy cattle may require re-evaluation to prevent skin infections.
- Understanding environmental factors contributing to dermatological issues is crucial for herd management.
- This finding can inform best practices for heat stress mitigation in dairy cows.
