Comparison of topical application of three products for treatment of papillomatous digital dermatitis in dairy cattle.

OBJECTIVE To test the effectiveness of 3 topical sprays for treatment of papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD) in dairy cattle. DESIGN Prospective field trial. ANIMALS 48 lactating cows with PDD randomly assigned to 4 groups of 12 cows each. PROCEDURE For 3 weeks, cows in each group were treated topically with oxytetracycline solution (100 mg/ ml), acidified ionized copper solution, acidified sodium chlorite solution, or a placebo (tap water). Cows were milked 3 times daily, and at each milking, lesions were washed with a pressure hose and treatment solutions were sprayed on the lesions. Degree of lameness was graded before and after 3 weeks of treatment. RESULTS Mean lameness score decreased (ie, cows were less lame) for all 3 treatment groups, but increased for the control group. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Daily application of topical solutions was effective in decreasing degree of lameness associated with PDD in cattle tested.