By Daniel, R. C. W. and McLennan, M. W., Australian Veterinary Journal, 1991
Description
The outbreak affected 100 of 190 lactating cows in a dairy herd with the first cases occurring 7 days after a period of heavy rain. Areas around hayracks, molasses and water troughs and walkways were very muddy. Over a 2-week period affected cows showed moderate lameness associated with swelling of the pastern area of one or both hind legs. The plantar aspects the pastern area was deeply fissured with accumulations of exudate. The legs of the more severely affected cows were swollen from the coronet to the hock region with fissures and scabs on the plantar aspect of the fetlock joint. In most cows the skin was thickened in the pastern area and some exhibited a moist exudative area (greasiness) from the bulb of the heel to the fetlock. There was a moderate increase in rectal temperature in affected cows and herd milk production declined by 20%. Individual lesions persisted for 2 to 3 weeks. Various pathogenic aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were isolated. Treatments with antibiotics and topical potassium permanganate solution were ineffective. Two cows that were moved to a dry yard were effectively treated with one injection of penicillin and daily treatment with cetrimide and gentian violet spray. On the farm fencing off muddy areas, improving walkways and the use of footbaths (5% copper sulfate for one week then a quaternary ammonium detergent) helped to control the outbreak
The outbreak affected 100 of 190 lactating cows in a dairy herd with the first cases occurring 7 days after a period of heavy rain. Areas around hayracks, molasses and water troughs and walkways were very muddy. Over a 2-week period affected cows showed moderate lameness associated with swelling of the pastern area of one or both hind legs. The plantar aspects the pastern area was deeply fissured with accumulations of exudate. The legs of the more severely affected cows were swollen from the coronet to the hock region with fissures and scabs on the plantar aspect of the fetlock joint. In most cows the skin was thickened in the pastern area and some exhibited a moist exudative area (greasiness) from the bulb of the heel to the fetlock. There was a moderate increase in rectal temperature in affected cows and herd milk production declined by 20%. Individual lesions persisted for 2 to 3 weeks. Various pathogenic aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were isolated. Treatments with antibiotics and topical potassium permanganate solution were ineffective. Two cows that were moved to a dry yard were effectively treated with one injection of penicillin and daily treatment with cetrimide and gentian violet spray. On the farm fencing off muddy areas, improving walkways and the use of footbaths (5% copper sulfate for one week then a quaternary ammonium detergent) helped to control the outbreak
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