By Cook, N. B. and Cutler, K. L., Veterinary Record, 1995
Description
A study of the disease in 24 cows on 5 dairy farms in Wiltshire, UK is reported; 22 cases affected the hindfeet of adult lactation Holstein-Friesian cows. The disorder, which is peracute in onset and refractory to conventional therapy results in an acutely lame cow with severe interdigital swelling. If left untreated this progresses rapidly to necrosis, extensive swelling, sepsis and then septic arthritis. Bacteriological examination of 6 cases confirmed the presence of Fusobacterium necrophorum (4 isolates) and Bacteroides melaninogenicus (4 isolates). Early cases responded well to a single long acting, parenteral treatment of oxytetracycline (Engemycin DD), more advanced cases responded to parenteral tylosin (Tylan 200) and topical treatment with chlortetracycline (Aureomycin) and clindamycin (Antirobe) following debridement of necrotic tissue. 11 cases resulted in a full recovery, 5 in a functional recovery. Many of the early cases had failed to respond to conventional therapies and were extremely severe when first seen, these were slaughtered on welfare grounds. The authors suggest that the acute onset and severity of the condition warrants its early recognition and the use of aggressive antibiotic therapy rather than the use of antibiotic foot-baths
A study of the disease in 24 cows on 5 dairy farms in Wiltshire, UK is reported; 22 cases affected the hindfeet of adult lactation Holstein-Friesian cows. The disorder, which is peracute in onset and refractory to conventional therapy results in an acutely lame cow with severe interdigital swelling. If left untreated this progresses rapidly to necrosis, extensive swelling, sepsis and then septic arthritis. Bacteriological examination of 6 cases confirmed the presence of Fusobacterium necrophorum (4 isolates) and Bacteroides melaninogenicus (4 isolates). Early cases responded well to a single long acting, parenteral treatment of oxytetracycline (Engemycin DD), more advanced cases responded to parenteral tylosin (Tylan 200) and topical treatment with chlortetracycline (Aureomycin) and clindamycin (Antirobe) following debridement of necrotic tissue. 11 cases resulted in a full recovery, 5 in a functional recovery. Many of the early cases had failed to respond to conventional therapies and were extremely severe when first seen, these were slaughtered on welfare grounds. The authors suggest that the acute onset and severity of the condition warrants its early recognition and the use of aggressive antibiotic therapy rather than the use of antibiotic foot-baths
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