The trial was started close to the New Year 2021 on two German farms with approx. 70 cows each, altogether 139 cows. All cows went through hoof trimming and all cases of digital dermatitis (DD) were registered. At the same time all DD cases of concern (M1>1,5 cm, M2, M4 and M4.1) were treated with 66% salicylic acid ointment under a bandage. After 2-3 days the bandages were removed and it was observed that there were no more open wounds, but not fully healed in most cases. 14 days after finishing the salicylic acid treatment, two weekly treatments with HooFoos of the rear right hoof on all cows were introduced. The application was done by a special battery-driven sprayer with a focus on the hoof cleft and skin area above the rear hooves. The nozzle of the sprayer was placed directly in the hoof cleft for short flushing and then continued while moving the nozzle out and further up on the skin area above the hooves. The left rear hoof on all cows did not receive other treatment than the initial salicylic acid.
2 weeks after treatment with salicylic acid and before the start-up with HooFoss treatment
| M2
(All sizes) |
M3
(All sizes) |
M4
(All sizes) |
M4.1
(All sizes) |
|
| Control hoof | 32 | 0 | 26 | 16 |
| HooFoss treated hoof | 39 | 0 | 20 | 20 |
3 weeks after the start-up with HooFoss treatment (5 weeks after finishing salicylic aci
d treatment)
| M2
(All sizes) |
M3
(All sizes) |
M4
(All sizes) |
M4.1
(All sizes) |
|
| Control hoof | 11 | 0 | 69 | 8 |
| HooFoss treated hoof | 1 | 9 | 60
|
1 |
Conclusion
After 21 days with 6 treatments with HooFoss, a highly significant reduction in digital dermatitis was observed. The study is still running and further significant improvements in DD have been observed in the HooFoss treated group. For ethical reasons, both rear hooves on all cows will soon receive HooFoss treatment. Here further development in DD will be observed, and lameness score and milk yield will also be included.
For more information, visit www.vilofoss.com
