Comparison of DX613 copper sulfate acidifier footbath to a 5% copper sulfate footbath for prevention of digital dermatitis lesions in dairy cattle

Grade Level at Time of Presentation

Senior

Major

Equine Sciences

Minor

Animal Sciences

Institution

University of Kentucky

KY House District #

5

KY Senate District #

5

Department

Department of Dairy Science

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare a 2.2% copper sulfate footbath with 325.31 mL of DX613 Acidifier (treatment; GEA Farm Technologies, Naperville, IL) to a 5% copper sulfate footbath (positive control) on the frequency and severity of DD in Holstein (n = 59) cows. The study was conducted at the University of Kentucky Coldstream Dairy from November 11, 2015 to January 20, 2016. Footbaths were delivered via a split footbath (Intra Care Foot Bath, Diamond Hoof Care LTD Alberta, Canada). The left side of the bath served as the positive control and the right side served as the treatment, cows were exposed to the solutions, five times per week. The DD lesions were scored biweekly using a M0 to M4 scoring system. A M0 score indicated no lesion (non-active lesions); M1 indicated small lesions (active lesions); M2 indicated large and potentially severe lesions (active lesions); M3 represented healing lesions (non-active lesions); and M4 represented chronic lesions (non-active lesions). The DD lesions were further separated into active lesions or non-active lesions for statistical analysis. A Chi-Square test calculated using the FREQUENCY procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC) indicated no-significant difference between the two concentrates (chi-square = 1.18, P = 0.56). A McNemar’s test indicated significant differences in the prevalence of lesions from the beginning to end of the study (treatment: P < 0.01, positive control: P < 0.01). The DX613 Acidifier may be a viable alternative for dairy producers.

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Comparison of DX613 copper sulfate acidifier footbath to a 5% copper sulfate footbath for prevention of digital dermatitis lesions in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to compare a 2.2% copper sulfate footbath with 325.31 mL of DX613 Acidifier (treatment; GEA Farm Technologies, Naperville, IL) to a 5% copper sulfate footbath (positive control) on the frequency and severity of DD in Holstein (n = 59) cows. The study was conducted at the University of Kentucky Coldstream Dairy from November 11, 2015 to January 20, 2016. Footbaths were delivered via a split footbath (Intra Care Foot Bath, Diamond Hoof Care LTD Alberta, Canada). The left side of the bath served as the positive control and the right side served as the treatment, cows were exposed to the solutions, five times per week. The DD lesions were scored biweekly using a M0 to M4 scoring system. A M0 score indicated no lesion (non-active lesions); M1 indicated small lesions (active lesions); M2 indicated large and potentially severe lesions (active lesions); M3 represented healing lesions (non-active lesions); and M4 represented chronic lesions (non-active lesions). The DD lesions were further separated into active lesions or non-active lesions for statistical analysis. A Chi-Square test calculated using the FREQUENCY procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC) indicated no-significant difference between the two concentrates (chi-square = 1.18, P = 0.56). A McNemar’s test indicated significant differences in the prevalence of lesions from the beginning to end of the study (treatment: P < 0.01, positive control: P < 0.01). The DX613 Acidifier may be a viable alternative for dairy producers.