Wrapping the Foot- less is more
Digital dermatitis, or commonly known as hairy heel warts, is one of the most common foot diseases of the dairy cow and can be found in even well-managed dairy herds. It is an infectious disease which spreads easily to other cows. It is generally treated with oxytetracycline powder applied with a gauze pad to the lesion and is held in place by an adhesive bandage. Contact has to be only for 30 minutes, with the bandage coming off within 24 hours. However, due to labor, or thinking longer is better, prolonged foot wraps can cause problems including trauma, injury, or creating a wet, warm environment for the pathogen to grow.
Regional Dairy Educator Tina Kohlman discusses the disease and how to properly treat and wrap the foot for digital dermatitis in this recent factsheet.
