Digital Dermatitis Barry Whitworth, DVM Area Food/Animal Quality and Health Specialist for Eastern Oklahoma

Synonyms Hairy Heel Warts Strawberry Foot Rot Mortellaro Disease Italian Foot Rot Papillomatous Digital Dermatitis

History Described in Italy (Cheli and Mortellaro, 1974) Other Countries (Blowey, 1988) US/New York (Rebhun and Others, 1980) Sheep in the UK (Harwood, 1997) Elk in Washington State (Clegg, 2008)

Prevalence 4% Culled Beef Cattle in the Southeastern US (Brown, 2000) 6% Lameness Caused by Digital Dermatitis (Newcomer, 2016) Prior to 2013 “Pulled very few cattle for Hairy Heel Warts”(Terrell, 2017)

Cause Unknown Treponema spp (common) Bacteria: Fusobacteria spp, Prevotella spp, Dichelobacter spp and others Moist fecal contaminated environments Immune component

Treponema spp

Clinical Signs Lesions usually seen on the back side of the hind foot near the interdigital space or bulbs of the heel

Clinical Signs (continued) Pain +/- Odor Stand with toe on the ground with heel elevated Progressive Cattleman

Clinical Signs (continued) Initially, a moist circular raised red area

Clinical Signs (continued) Enlarges and turns gray with hairs protruding from the surface

Clinical Signs (continued) Typical “wart like” appearance

Scoring System

Diagnosis Clinical Signs Biopsy

Treatment Clean with soap and dry (Be Aggressive) Apply topical antibiotic (tetracycline) Loose bandage may be used Keep cattle in a clean and dry environment Note: Injectable and Oral antibiotics do not improve DD lesions

Prevention/Control No vaccine Hygiene Foot Baths Biosecurity

Questions