Digital dermatitis
Description of the disease
Digital
Dermatitis is a highly infectious claw disease; one of the most common claw diseases which ensures
lameness in dairy cattle in cattle. (1) Digital
dermatitis is a erosive and proliferative infection of the epidermis on the
connection between the skin and horn of the inter digital space of the claw. To
keep it simple: digital dermatitis is a bacterial infection of the epidermis of
the skin, mostly seen between the bulbs of the claw. Digital dermatitis is also
known as Italian hoof rot, Mortellaro disease, papilomatous digital dermatitis,
foot warts, hairy heel warts, strawberry foot and verrucose dermatitis.
Another name for the Digital Dermatitis is Strawberry Foot Rot and Mortellaro disease.
The disease can affect the front and the hind legs. Digital dermatitis can be found on different locations on the claw. In the picture below you can see the locations around the coronary band of the hoof where the disease can be found. The most injuries are found in the heel area, bordering on the inter digital region. (2)
Another name for the Digital Dermatitis is Strawberry Foot Rot and Mortellaro disease.
The disease can affect the front and the hind legs. Digital dermatitis can be found on different locations on the claw. In the picture below you can see the locations around the coronary band of the hoof where the disease can be found. The most injuries are found in the heel area, bordering on the inter digital region. (2)
The
incidence of the disease is highest in housed herds that are not kept clean.
Digital dermatitis can affect every breed or group. However, young animals are
more susceptible for the infection because of the lower immune response.
Digital dermatitis spreads rapidly within the herd once new infected animals are
introduced. It may also be introduced by vectors, such as boots or hoof
trimming equipment.
The disease was first seen in European countries. Digital dermatitis was first noted in 1974 in Italy. From the moment that the disease was found, it spread rapidly across the dairy producing areas in Europe and the USA. Morbidity within the herd can raise up to more than 90%.
The disease was first seen in European countries. Digital dermatitis was first noted in 1974 in Italy. From the moment that the disease was found, it spread rapidly across the dairy producing areas in Europe and the USA. Morbidity within the herd can raise up to more than 90%.
Pathogenesis
It
is not completely clear which organisms are causing Digital Dermatitis. Researchers
think that the organism which is causing Digital Dermatitis is a spirochaete.
There are many different species of spirochaetes, the spirochaete possibly causing Digital Dermatitis is called Treponemes. The spriochaete bacteria is an environmental bacteria. The name spirocheate is coming from the spiral shape of the bacteria. There are many different species of spirochaetes. The spirochaete is an active motile bacteria which is moving rapidly in a wet environment. Drying the spirochaete rapidly will kill it. The bacteria is only damaging the skin when the bacteria is able to enter the skin. To enter the skin the skin need to be damaged a little bit, this can be caused when the area is wet and moist for a long time or by an injury.
The damage can also be caused by another bacteria, this bacteria is called Dichelobacter nodosus, the same bacteria causing Interdigital dermatitis. Dichelobacter nodosus is damaging the skin which ensures that the spirochaete can enter the skin. (4) Borellia burgdorferi is considered as another bacteria in Digital Dermatitis.
There are many different species of spirochaetes, the spirochaete possibly causing Digital Dermatitis is called Treponemes. The spriochaete bacteria is an environmental bacteria. The name spirocheate is coming from the spiral shape of the bacteria. There are many different species of spirochaetes. The spirochaete is an active motile bacteria which is moving rapidly in a wet environment. Drying the spirochaete rapidly will kill it. The bacteria is only damaging the skin when the bacteria is able to enter the skin. To enter the skin the skin need to be damaged a little bit, this can be caused when the area is wet and moist for a long time or by an injury.
The damage can also be caused by another bacteria, this bacteria is called Dichelobacter nodosus, the same bacteria causing Interdigital dermatitis. Dichelobacter nodosus is damaging the skin which ensures that the spirochaete can enter the skin. (4) Borellia burgdorferi is considered as another bacteria in Digital Dermatitis.
Symptoms
- Acute or chronic lameness
- Skin inflammation coronary band shown as strawberry like lesions, long hairs around the infected area, swelling, very painful
Digital
dermatitis is expressed as a lesion, which is typically seen on the skin above
the heel bulbs, closely located to the inter digital space of the claw. In
early cases of Mortellaro, the hairs of the lower leg are erected and matted
with exudate. The lesion might look red, yellow or grey, moistures and raw. In
progressive lesions, the heel horn becomes eroded with an extensive raw area of
epidermitits (inflammation of the epidermis). The lesion is now more strawberry
like. Chronic infections produce ‘hairy
warts’, seen as clusters of proliferating skin at the back of the heel of the
hoof. The diameter of the lesion can raise up to 2-4 cm in chronic cases.
Acute lameness is seen in affected animals, even when dermal tissues are not involved in the occurrence. Most commonly involved are one or both hind claws. Problems can also occur in both hind-and forefeet can be affected. Lesions are very sensitive.
Acute lameness is seen in affected animals, even when dermal tissues are not involved in the occurrence. Most commonly involved are one or both hind claws. Problems can also occur in both hind-and forefeet can be affected. Lesions are very sensitive.
Consequenses
When Digital Dermatitis is present,
the cow can show lameness and the cow is probably unable to stand. The lameness
can ensure that the cow does not move and does not visit the feeding rack. In
addition, an affected animal is probably unwilling to stand on
it and will lift its feet up while it is standing and walk on its toes. The lower
intake of food will ensure that the milk production of the cow will go down.
Another result of a lower feed intake is a loss of weight.
The performance indices which are affected are:
Locomotion
The cow cannot walk properly anymore, lameness. The movement of the cow will decrease.
Feed intake
The feed intake of the cow will decrease. The cause of the lower feed intake is the decrease in movement and locomotion. A decrease in movement can ensure that the cow is spending less time at the feeding rack. When the cow is spending less time at the feeding rack, the feed intake of the cow will decrease.
Production
If the feed intake is decreasing the milk production of the cow will decrease to. The cow does not get enough nutrients to produce on a high level. Next to that, a sick cow needs is using nutrients to recover herself.
Fertility
Lameness has an effect on the welfare of the cow, it has an effect on the whole body. Cows can become in an extreme negative energy balance, which has an influence on the fertility. Cows could become less fertile. The extreme negative energy balance can ensure a low resistance, the probability of endomatritis, mastitis and other fertility diseases or problems is higher if the resistance is low.
The performance indices which are affected are:
Locomotion
The cow cannot walk properly anymore, lameness. The movement of the cow will decrease.
Feed intake
The feed intake of the cow will decrease. The cause of the lower feed intake is the decrease in movement and locomotion. A decrease in movement can ensure that the cow is spending less time at the feeding rack. When the cow is spending less time at the feeding rack, the feed intake of the cow will decrease.
Production
If the feed intake is decreasing the milk production of the cow will decrease to. The cow does not get enough nutrients to produce on a high level. Next to that, a sick cow needs is using nutrients to recover herself.
Fertility
Lameness has an effect on the welfare of the cow, it has an effect on the whole body. Cows can become in an extreme negative energy balance, which has an influence on the fertility. Cows could become less fertile. The extreme negative energy balance can ensure a low resistance, the probability of endomatritis, mastitis and other fertility diseases or problems is higher if the resistance is low.
List of sources
1. Chris Watson (2007). Lameness in cattle. Wiltshire: The Crowood Press Ltd. 175.
2. Brecht Scheirlinck. (2011). Onderzoek naar typische histopathologische kenmerken van de verschillende stadia van dermatitis digitalis .Available: http://lib.ugent.be/fulltxt/RUG01/001/788/864/RUG01-001788864_2012_0001_AC.pdf. Last accessed 26 November 2013.
3. Unknown. (2011). Kengetallen E-30 Fokwaarde klauwgezondheid.Available: https://www.crv4all.nl/over-crv/documentatie/e-hoofdstukken/26118/. Last accessed 9 December 2013.
4. Paul R. Greenough. (2012). Disorders of the interdigital space in cattle. Available: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/musculoskeletal_system/lameness_in_cattle/disorders_of_the_interdigital_space_in_cattle.html#v3283652. Last accessed 26 November 2013.
5. Paul R. Greenough. (March 2012 ). Disorders of the Interdigital Space in Cattle. Available:http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/musculoskeletal_system/lameness_in_cattle/disorders_of_the_interdigital_space_in_cattle.html. Last accessed 25th december 2013.
6. AABP LAMENESS. INTERDIGITAL HYPERPLASIA (CORN). Available: http://cdrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/AABP-Interdigital-Hyperplasia.pdf. Last accessed 25th of December 2013.
7. Nick Lyons. (31th of March 2011). Interdigital Dermatitis - Cattle. Available: http://en.wikivet.net/Interdigital_Dermatitis_-_Cattle. Last accessed 25th of december 2013.
8. Greenough, P. (2012). Disorders of the interdigital space in cattle. Available: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/musculoskeletal_system/lameness_in_cattle/disorders_of_the_interdigital_space_in_cattle.html . Last accessed 26th Nov 2013.
9. Javic, K and Conroy, N. (2003). interdigital necrobacillosis. Available: http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/fieldservice/Dairy/LAMENESS/footrot.htm. Last accessed 15th Dec 2013.
10. Rodriguez -Lainz, A., Melendez-Retamal, P., Hird, D.W., Reaed, D.H., Walker, R.L. (1999). Farm- and host-level risk factors for papillomatous digital dermatitis in Chilean dairy cattle. [ONLINE] Available athttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587799000677, [Accessed 24 April 2014]
11. Holzhauer, M., Hardenberg, C., Bartels, C.J.M, Farnkena, K., (2006) Herd and cow level prevalence of Digital Dermatitis in The Netherlands and associated risk factors [pdf] Wageningen University and Research Centre, the Netherlands, Available at :<http://igitur-archive.library.uu.nl/dissertations/2006-0920-200928/c4.pdf > [Accessed 26 April 2014]
12. Blowey. R., 2003. Color Atlas of Diseases and Disorders of Cattle, 2e. 2 Edition. Mosby. Laminitis. 2012. Sole Ulcers. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.dairyco.org.uk/technical-information/animal-health-welfare/lameness/common-problems/sole-ulcer/. [Accessed 27April 2014].
13. Stokka, G., Smith, J.F., Dunham,J.R., van Anne, T., (2011) Lameness in Dairy Cattle. Extension – America’s Research Based Learning Network. Available from: < http://www.extension.org/pages/10855/lameness-in-dairy-cattle#.U5Zr9_nV9Fs> [Last accessed 05 June 2014]
14. Socha, M.T., Johnson, A.B., Schugel, M. (-) Effect of nutrition on claw health. Zinpro Corporation Eden Prairie. Available from:http://www.hooftrimmers.org/pdf/hta_nutrition_and_claw.pdf [Last assessed 05 June 2014]
2. Brecht Scheirlinck. (2011). Onderzoek naar typische histopathologische kenmerken van de verschillende stadia van dermatitis digitalis .Available: http://lib.ugent.be/fulltxt/RUG01/001/788/864/RUG01-001788864_2012_0001_AC.pdf. Last accessed 26 November 2013.
3. Unknown. (2011). Kengetallen E-30 Fokwaarde klauwgezondheid.Available: https://www.crv4all.nl/over-crv/documentatie/e-hoofdstukken/26118/. Last accessed 9 December 2013.
4. Paul R. Greenough. (2012). Disorders of the interdigital space in cattle. Available: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/musculoskeletal_system/lameness_in_cattle/disorders_of_the_interdigital_space_in_cattle.html#v3283652. Last accessed 26 November 2013.
5. Paul R. Greenough. (March 2012 ). Disorders of the Interdigital Space in Cattle. Available:http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/musculoskeletal_system/lameness_in_cattle/disorders_of_the_interdigital_space_in_cattle.html. Last accessed 25th december 2013.
6. AABP LAMENESS. INTERDIGITAL HYPERPLASIA (CORN). Available: http://cdrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/AABP-Interdigital-Hyperplasia.pdf. Last accessed 25th of December 2013.
7. Nick Lyons. (31th of March 2011). Interdigital Dermatitis - Cattle. Available: http://en.wikivet.net/Interdigital_Dermatitis_-_Cattle. Last accessed 25th of december 2013.
8. Greenough, P. (2012). Disorders of the interdigital space in cattle. Available: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/musculoskeletal_system/lameness_in_cattle/disorders_of_the_interdigital_space_in_cattle.html . Last accessed 26th Nov 2013.
9. Javic, K and Conroy, N. (2003). interdigital necrobacillosis. Available: http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/fieldservice/Dairy/LAMENESS/footrot.htm. Last accessed 15th Dec 2013.
10. Rodriguez -Lainz, A., Melendez-Retamal, P., Hird, D.W., Reaed, D.H., Walker, R.L. (1999). Farm- and host-level risk factors for papillomatous digital dermatitis in Chilean dairy cattle. [ONLINE] Available athttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587799000677, [Accessed 24 April 2014]
11. Holzhauer, M., Hardenberg, C., Bartels, C.J.M, Farnkena, K., (2006) Herd and cow level prevalence of Digital Dermatitis in The Netherlands and associated risk factors [pdf] Wageningen University and Research Centre, the Netherlands, Available at :<http://igitur-archive.library.uu.nl/dissertations/2006-0920-200928/c4.pdf > [Accessed 26 April 2014]
12. Blowey. R., 2003. Color Atlas of Diseases and Disorders of Cattle, 2e. 2 Edition. Mosby. Laminitis. 2012. Sole Ulcers. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.dairyco.org.uk/technical-information/animal-health-welfare/lameness/common-problems/sole-ulcer/. [Accessed 27April 2014].
13. Stokka, G., Smith, J.F., Dunham,J.R., van Anne, T., (2011) Lameness in Dairy Cattle. Extension – America’s Research Based Learning Network. Available from: < http://www.extension.org/pages/10855/lameness-in-dairy-cattle#.U5Zr9_nV9Fs> [Last accessed 05 June 2014]
14. Socha, M.T., Johnson, A.B., Schugel, M. (-) Effect of nutrition on claw health. Zinpro Corporation Eden Prairie. Available from:http://www.hooftrimmers.org/pdf/hta_nutrition_and_claw.pdf [Last assessed 05 June 2014]