A randomized controlled field trial of an adhesive gel bandage in addition to topical antibiotic treatment of digital dermatitis in dairy cows.

BackgroundDigital dermatitis (DD) is a painful disease causing lameness in dairy cows worldwide, accounting for 32% of all lesions identified at foot trimming in the UK (1).Enhanced control measures would improve welfare and reduce economic impact.Treatment with bandages as an adjunct to topical antimicrobials appears effective (2) but requires additional labour to change dressings, and may pose problems in wet environments.A novel waterproof adhesive gel bandage removes the need for dressing change and protects from external moisture.This study investigated the efficacy of this adhesive gel bandage in combination with topical antibiotics in the treatment of digital dermatitis. MethodsThis randomised, controlled field trial compared an adhesive gel bandage over topical chlortetracycline spray (CTC) versus CTC alone in DD cases on three dairy farms.Treatment was applied at 0 and 7 days with DD Mortellaro score (M-score) and locomotion score evaluated at 0,7 and 28 days. ResultsLesions treated with a combination of the CTC and the adhesive gel bandage showed a significantly higher probability of lesion improvement at day 7 (OR 2.45 (95%CI:1.74-5.12),p=0.017) and 28 (OR 3.37 (95%CI 1.12-10.13),p=0.03,) and of cure at day 28 (OR 3.38 (95%CI 1.12-10.13),p=0.03,), compared with the control.Although most lesions in the treatment group improved in lesion score (84.3%),only 30.4% (range 24.5-37.8%by farm) achieved complete cure. LimitationsThe study was carried out on three commercial dairy units which may not be replicable in all systems.The M-score cure rates at 28 days suggest a need for further revision of protocols to improve cure rates. ConclusionThe addition of an adhesive gel bandage in the topical treatment of DD on commercial dairy farms significantly improved healing and probability of cure.