By Elliott, J. B. and Shearer, J. K., Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian, 1998
Description
International experience established that topical treatment of PDD lesions in individual animals with an oxytetracycline-gentian violet combination product was effective. In the United States, where the combination product is not available, parenteral and topical antibiotic treatment under a bandage have proven to be effective methods for managing PDD lesions in individual cows. Because of the sheer numbers of animals that may be affected in a large herd, however, alternate treatment and control schemes are required. Dairies have traditionally used walk-through footbaths to accomplish the objectives of treatment and control of lameness problems, including PDD, in herd situations. Optimal success in the treatment of PDD seems to depend largely on the management of these treatment devices. Studies indicate that common disinfectants and antibiotics used in footbaths may be quite rapidly neutralized by organic matter. Formalin seems to retain its effectiveness longer than most footbathingagents but raises significant concerns for worker safety. In addition, while formalin seems to have same therapeutic benefit against PDD, its effectiveness pales in ccom parison with antibiotic treatment. Cost and, in some cases, failure to control PDD by footbathing have encouraged some producers to implement topical spray treatment strategies. Field trials with topical oxytetracycline, lincomycin/spectinomycin, and lincomycin have shown these products to be very effective in such treatment regimens. Topical spray treatment may be performed in the milking parlor or in feedbarn or freestall barn lock-ups. The latter may afford improved labor efficiency and less potential for a drug or chemical residue. Treating PDD in the milking parlor permits cleaning and examination of lesions as necessary
International experience established that topical treatment of PDD lesions in individual animals with an oxytetracycline-gentian violet combination product was effective. In the United States, where the combination product is not available, parenteral and topical antibiotic treatment under a bandage have proven to be effective methods for managing PDD lesions in individual cows. Because of the sheer numbers of animals that may be affected in a large herd, however, alternate treatment and control schemes are required. Dairies have traditionally used walk-through footbaths to accomplish the objectives of treatment and control of lameness problems, including PDD, in herd situations. Optimal success in the treatment of PDD seems to depend largely on the management of these treatment devices. Studies indicate that common disinfectants and antibiotics used in footbaths may be quite rapidly neutralized by organic matter. Formalin seems to retain its effectiveness longer than most footbathingagents but raises significant concerns for worker safety. In addition, while formalin seems to have same therapeutic benefit against PDD, its effectiveness pales in ccom parison with antibiotic treatment. Cost and, in some cases, failure to control PDD by footbathing have encouraged some producers to implement topical spray treatment strategies. Field trials with topical oxytetracycline, lincomycin/spectinomycin, and lincomycin have shown these products to be very effective in such treatment regimens. Topical spray treatment may be performed in the milking parlor or in feedbarn or freestall barn lock-ups. The latter may afford improved labor efficiency and less potential for a drug or chemical residue. Treating PDD in the milking parlor permits cleaning and examination of lesions as necessary
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