Interdigital Dermatitis
click on images for detail

Description

This is a mild bacterial infection that attacks the skin between the claws.

There is no swelling or pain, merely a slight discomfort which causes the animal to paddle from foot to foot on the hind limbs. (click image)

In many instances, this condition is probably part of the early stage in the development of hairy warts.

As the infection spreads, the horn of the heel bulb is attacked. Gradually, this ulcerates and becomes increasingly sore.

The black V in the picture to the right is a common sign of early heel erosion which is often associated with interdigital dermatitis.

In dairy cows interdigital dermatitis is a common cause of corns. (click image)

Cause

Interdigital dermatitis is caused by the bacterium Dichlobacter Nodosus.

It is believed by many workers that D Nodosus must be present before a cow can become affected with hairy warts (digital dermatitis).

This organism flourishes in interdigital skin that has been exposed to cold, wet, unhygienic conditions.

Treatment

Individual animals with relatively advanced lesions can be successfully treated with a topical dressing of a 50% mixture of anhydrous copper sulfate and sulfamezathine.

Because this disease has become so closely associated with hairy wart disease, many workers prefer to ignore this condition as a separate entity and direct treatment at hairy warts.

Control

This condition is relatively easy to control with monthly foot baths using copper sulfate (5%).

Preventive measures should start in the late fall and continue until the ambient temperature improves in the spring.

As hairy wart disease is so widespread, using only copper sulfate would probably not be effective unless the diagnosis of interdigital dermatitis was certain.