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

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

3. 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)

4. 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)

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

6. Treponema spp

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

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

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

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

11. Clinical Signs (continued)
Typical “wart like” appearance

12. Scoring System

13. Diagnosis
Clinical Signs
Biopsy

14. 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

15. Prevention/Control
No vaccine
Hygiene
Foot Baths
Biosecurity

16. Questions