Clinical and diagnostic comparisons of bovine foot rot and bovine digital dermatitis lesions and management differences in feedlot cattle in Alberta.

Higher bacterial loads in swabs compared to PB-samples suggested careful consideration of their use as an alternative to punch biopsies in studying BFR and BDD. Furthermore, histology did not differentiate these diseases. <i>Fusobacterium</i> spp. population differences in dermis and SC-samples could indicate distinct, species-level roles in BFR pathogenesis. In addition, risk factors such as weight and lameness scores could not distinguish between BFR and BDD.