Efficacy of the non-antibiotic paste Protexin Hoof-Care for topical treatment of digital dermatitis in dairy cows

In this study, the efficacy of the non-antibiotic paste Protexin Hoof-Care containing metallic salts and organic acids, was tested for local treatment of 26 acute digital dermatitis lesions. The control group (26 cases) was treated with local application of oxytetracycline spray. These 52 affected limbs with digital dermatitis were diagnosed in 47 dairy cows from eight different farms with slatted floors. The therapeutic effect was evaluated using a scoring system for weightbearing at stance, lameness at walk and pain of the digital dermatitis lesions. The pre-treatment and control examination scores were documented on days 0, 4, 10 and 28. Both treatment regimens were effective, no statistical differences regarding the examined parameters was found between the group treated with the non-antibiotic Protexin Hoof-Care paste and the group treated with oxytetracycline spray. Twenty-seven digital dermatitis lesions required only one treatment with one of these products. A second topical treatment was carried out on day 4 in 13 lesions of the study group and in 12 lesions of the control group. The data of this pilot study indicate that the non-antibiotic paste Protexin Hoof-Care could be a valuable alternative to topical antibiotic treatment for digital dermatitis in dairy cattle.     

A clinical trial to assess the use of sodium hypochlorite and oxytetracycline on the healing of digital dermatitis lesions in cattle

The increased frequency of diseases, especially those of the hoof, cause economic losses, such as premature culling of affected animals, decreased milk production, weight loss, reduced fertility, and the high costs of treatment. A great variety of hoof conditions may affect cattle, one of them is digital dermatitis. These conditions are probably due to multiple factorial diseases and present with similar clinical signs. Bovine lameness is typically treated by foot trimming and debridment of the lesions, coupled when necessary with systemic antibiotics and therapeutic footbaths, which results in a clinical cure in the majority of the cases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the topical action of sodium hypochlorite associated with the systemic use of oxytetracycline for the treatment of wounds clinically diagnosed as bovine digital dermatitis. One hundred and twenty Holstein cattle varying ages from 1 to 9 y and presenting the clinical signs of digital dermatitis, were used in this study. Group 1 (G1) received topical treatment with a 1% sodium hypochlorite footbath twice a day for 30 d and 4 treatments of parenteral oxytetracycline (10 mg/kg bodyweight, IM, q48h). Group 2 (G2) received only the topical treatment with 1% sodium hypochlorite, as described for G1. Group 3 (G3) received only with parenteral oxytetracycline, as described for G1. Group 4 (G4) was treated exclusively with a dicloro divynil pirrolidona, ortoiododimetil, para-nitofenil-fosforotioato in a vegetal tar-based ointment, immediately after the surgery. After 45 d, the recovery rates were as follows: G1, 86.67%; G2, 73.33%; G3, 56.67%; and G4, 50%. The surgical treatment of digital dermatitis with subsequent treatment with oxytetracycline systemically and 1% sodium hypochlorite topically was the most effective for the convalescence of cattle bearing wounds similar to digital dermatitis.     

Looking after the individual to reduce disease in the flock: a binomial mixed effects model investigating the impact of individual sheep management of footrot and interdigital dermatitis in a prospective longitudinal study on one farm

A total of 160 ewes on one farm in England were studied for 18 months. The incidence of footrot and interdigital dermatitis in individually identified sheep and treatment and flock control measures were recorded. A binomial mixed effect model with the incidence of footrot or interdigital dermatitis as the outcome was used to investigate patterns of association between treatments, flock control measures and the incidence of footrot or interdigital dermatitis. In this one flock, the incidence of footrot and interdigital dermatitis was positively associated with the incidence of footrot and interdigital dermatitis and with trimming of feet and negatively associated with the use of parenteral antibiotics and topical antibiotic sprays in either the first and/or second 2-week period prior to the incidence of interest. These results provide two hypotheses: one that 'footrot and interdigital dermatitis are infectious diseases that can be controlled, in part, through the use of antibiotic therapy, which acts to reduce the infectious period of diseased sheep' and two, that 'routine trimming of diseased and healthy feet exacerbate disease, through environmental contamination and/or through increased susceptibility of sheep with recently trimmed feet'.     

Topical treatment of digital dermatitis associated with severe heel-horn erosion in a Swedish dairy herd

Two experiments were run in a commercial dairy herd to test the efficacy of topical treatments of digital dermatitis associated with severe heel-horn erosion. In Experiment I, topical treatments with solutions of either glutaraldehyde or oxytetracycline were compared with foot trimming and cleansing alone. After trimming of all feet, one front and one rear foot in each cow were treated with either glutaraldehyde or oxytetracycline (regardless of dermatitis status), while the other feet were used as controls and only trimmed. Two hundred foot records were obtained from 34 Swedish Red and White and 16 Swedish Holstein cows. The proportions (p) of feet cured from digital dermatitis were compared between each group of medically treated feet and the control feet, assuming the feet to be independent observations with respect to curing. Oxytetracycline was significantly more effective than hoof trimming alone (p=0.87 and 0.34, respectively; P<0.001) and than glutaraldehyde (p=0.41; P=0.004). Treatment with glutaraldehyde was no more effective than hoof trimming alone.In Experiment II, a specially designed footbath with two longitudinal compartments was used to study the effectiveness of a solution of acidic ionised copper in preventing or curing digital dermatitis. The footbath--using water in one compartment--was constructed to make within-cow comparisons of treatment efficacy possible. The hoof health of 44 dairy cows (also included in Experiment I) were studied when the animals first were turned out to pasture and at the end of the grazing season (approximately 6 months later). During the grazing season, the cows were walked through the footbath twice daily after milking for a total of 47 days, divided into five separate periods ranging in length from 3 to 16 days. As judged by a two-sample comparison of proportions, a higher proportion of the cows' hind feet that were affected by dermatitis were cured by the copper solution (20/24) than by water alone (12/23). The copper solution had no significant preventive effect on healthy feet.     

Antibiotic residues in milk samples obtained from cows after treatment for papillomatous digital dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there would be detectable antibiotic residues in milk obtained from dairy cattle with papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD) after topical treatment with oxytetracycline. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 28 lactating Holstein cows with PDD. PROCEDURE: Cows were assigned to 2 treatment groups. Treatment 1 (n = 16) consisted of spraying of PDD lesions with 15 ml of a solution containing 100 mg of oxytetracycline/ml; lesions were sprayed twice daily for 7 days, using a garden sprayer. Treatment 2 (n = 12) consisted of a one-time application of a bandage that consisted of cotton soaked with 20 ml of a solution containing 100 mg of oxytetracycline/ml. Milk samples were obtained before and after treatment and assayed for tetracycline content by use of high-performance liquid chromatography and a commercially available tetracycline screening test. RESULTS: None of the cows in either treatment group had violative residues of oxytetracycline in milk samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Producers treating lactating cows that have PDD, via topical application of oxytetracycline solution at the concentrations reported in this study, have a low risk of causing violative antibiotic residues in milk.     

Topical tacrolimus (FK506) for the treatment of feline idiopathic facial dermatitis

A 3-year-old, neutered male Persian cat with chronic ulcerative facial dermatitis was diagnosed with feline idiopathic facial dermatitis based on signalment, clinical history and diagnostic test results, including dermatohistopathological evaluation. Initial treatment started with 4 weeks of oral antifungal/antibiotic medication for severe secondary infectious dermatitis of Malassezia and bacteria. As the lesions gradually improved, the oral medication was withdrawn, leaving only 0.1% topical FK506 (tacrolimus) ointment for the remaining lesions. Topical treatment was administered just in case any new lesions developed. The patient has been managed effectively with topical tacrolimus and no side-effects were observed during treatment. Feline idiopathic facial dermatitis is known as a difficult dermatosis to manage successfully, but our experience suggests that it may respond to topical tacrolimus.     

Physiology and Treatment of Retained Fetal Membranes in Cattle

Retained fetal membranes (RFM) in cattle have adverse effects on fertility and production. Understanding the pathophysiology and causes of RFM is important for managing this disease. The hormonal processes that lead to normal placental separation are multifactorial and begin before parturition. A variety of risk factors, including early or induced parturition, dystocia, hormonal imbalances, and immunosuppression, can interrupt these normal processes and result in retention of the placenta. Current research does not support the efficacy of many commonly practiced treatments for RFM. Systemic administration of antibiotics can be beneficial for treating metritis after RFM, but antibiotic administration has not been shown to significantly improve future reproduction in cows with RFM. Collagenase injected into the umbilical arteries of retained placentas specifically targets the lack of placentome proteolysis and might enhance placental release. However, such therapy is costly and its benefits in terms of improving subsequent reproductive function have not been evaluated.     

The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (XX): glucocorticoid pharmacotherapy.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) have been the most commonly prescribed drugs for treatment of canine atopic dermatitis (AD) during the last decades. In spite of this widespread usage, there are a few studies documenting their efficacy. Fortunately, recently completed clinical trials were designed with oral GCs used as "standard of care" for treatment of canine AD. These studies provided high quality evidence in favor of the strong efficacy of oral low-dose glucocorticoid formulations to control skin lesions and pruritus in dogs with AD. Consequently, there is good evidence to support the recommendation of use of oral glucocorticoids for treatment of canine AD.     

Evaluation of copper sulphate,formalin and peracetic acid in footbaths for the treatment of digital dermatitis in cattle

The efficacy of three non-antibiotic products (copper sulphate, formalin and peracetic acid) was compared with the efficacy of erythromycin, when the four substances were applied in footbaths for the treatment of cows with digital dermatitis. The cows were divided into four groups on the basis of their current housing and randomly allocated to one of the four treatments. Cattle allocated to the non-antibiotic treatments were footbathed daily for seven days, but the cattle treated with erythromycin were footbathed for two days only. Complete records were obtained for 252 lesions from 169 cows. There were significant reductions in the lesion scores of all four groups, but there was no significant effect of treatment and no significant interaction between treatment and time.     

Curative effect of topical treatment of digital dermatitis with a gel containing activated copper and zinc chelate

The efficacy of two topical treatments for painful ulcerative stage (M2) of bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) lesions was compared in a clinical trial conducted on five dairy farms in 2009 to 2010. The first treatment was a water-based gel with active components copper and zinc (Intra Hoof-fit gel [IHF]) and the second treatment was a topical chlortetracycline spray (CTC spray). The experimental unit for this study was the hindleg with the presence of a BDD lesion. Cure was defined as the transition of an M2 lesion into a healed (M0) or a non-painful chronic stage (M4) of BDD at D28. On day 0, cows with M2 BDD lesions were photographed and were treated with either IHF or CTC. Subsequently, feet were photographed and scored on D28. The cure rate of M2 BDD lesions treated with IHF at D28 was 0.92 (CI 0.84 to 0.96) and was significantly better than for M2 BDD lesions treated with CTC, which was 0.58 (CI 0.47 to 0.68).     

A review of topical therapy for skin infections with bacteria and yeast

Background – Cutaneous infections with bacteria and yeasts are common in small animal practice. Treatment with systemic antibiotics or antifungal agents may not be ideal, because of the increasing development of multiresistant organisms, the cost and the possible adverse effects. Topical antimicrobials may be used as adjunctive therapy to systemic treatment or as sole therapy instead of systemic treatment. Objective – This literature review evaluated studies on topical antimicrobial treatment of skin infections. Methods – In vitro and in vivo studies evaluating topical antimicrobial agents were identified using a number of electronic and manual searches of textbooks and articles. Studies were evaluated, and the evidence for or against the use of the topical agents was extracted. Results – There is good evidence for the efficacy of chlorhexidine and, to a lesser degree, benzoyl peroxide in canine bacterial skin infections. There is limited evidence for the efficacy of silver sulfadiazine and medical honey against bacterial skin infections in the dog, and for the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide and stannous fluoride in the horse. Good evidence supports the use of a combination of chlorhexidine and miconazole in dogs with cutaneous Malassezia infections. There is insufficient evidence to recommend any other topical therapy for use in cutaneous infections. Conclusions and clinical importance – Although many antimicrobial topicals are marketed in veterinary dermatology, the efficacy has been reported for only a minority of agents. Randomized controlled trials evaluating various topical treatments are therefore urgently needed.     

Pilot evaluation of the efficacy of shampoo treatment with ultrapure soft water for canine pruritus

Ultrapure soft water (UPSW) is water in which calcium and magnesium ions have been replaced with sodium ions using a cation‐exchange resin. We recently demonstrated that washing with soap and UPSW reduced the clinical severity of dermatitis and improved the skin barrier function in NC/NgaTnd mice, a murine model for human atopic dermatitis. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of shampoo treatment with UPSW for dogs with pruritus. Eleven dogs with pruritus were randomly assigned to two groups depending on whether they received weekly shampoo treatment with UPSW or tap water for 4 weeks. After a washout period, the treatment protocol was switched such that each dog received both treatments. The pre‐treatment and post‐treatment values of the following were compared: pruritus scores assessed by the owners; dermatitis scores recorded by an investigator; and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Shampoo treatment with UPSW significantly decreased pruritus and dermatitis scores in the dogs, whereas shampoo treatment with tap water did not. In addition, shampoo treatment with UPSW, but not with tap water, significantly reduced TEWL in the dogs. Adverse events due to the treatment were not observed in the dogs. Furthermore, we found that topical application of UPSW for barrier‐disrupted skin caused by tape stripping in healthy dogs decreased TEWL more rapidly than topical application of tap water. Our findings suggest that shampoo treatment with UPSW promotes skin barrier recovery and thus could be considered as a possible therapeutic option in the management of pruritus and dermatitis in dogs.     

Susceptibility of Bacteroides nodosus to various antimicrobial agents

The susceptibility of 18 strains of Bacteroides nodosus to 21 antimicrobial agents was tested in vitro. Penicillin was the most effective antibiotic tested. Other antibiotics tested, in order of relative efficacy, were cefamandole, clindamycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, sodium cefoxitin, tylosin tartrate, nitrofurazone, tinidazole, and dihydrostreptomycin sulfate. Tests of solutions of 4 antibiotics in 70% ethanol indicated that ethanol served primarily as a diluent and did not contribute substantially to the curative effect of such topical medications on foot rot lesions in sheep. Of the chemicals commonly used in foot baths for treatment of ovine foot rot, copper sulfate was most effective, followed by zinc sulfate, then formalin. Several commercial disinfectants and iodine were quite effective against B nodosus, whereas 5.25% sodium hypochlorite and 70% ethanol alone were relatively ineffective.     

Topical fusidic acid/betamethasone-containing gel compared to systemic therapy in the treatment of canine acute moist dermatitis

The efficacy of a topical preparation containing 0.5% fusidic acid and 0.1% betamethasone-17-valerate was compared to a systemic therapy (comprising a combination of parenteral dexamethasone and oral clavulanate-potentiated amoxycillin) in the treatment of 104 dogs with acute moist dermatitis. Significant improvement was evident after seven days in both treatment groups in all clinical parameters assessed and there was no significant difference in the overall response between the two treatment groups. Staphylococcus intermedius was the most frequently isolated organism from swabs at the first visit (Day 0). No resistance to fusidic acid or clavulanate-potentiated amoxycillin was encountered. The study demonstrates no difference in the clinical improvement achieved in canine acute moist dermatitis following topical or systemic therapy and that both treatment regimes represent effective treatment options for the condition.     

Antibiograms of pathogenic bacteria isolated from laboratory animals.

Study of antibiotic sensitivity patterns of 178 bacterial isolants from laboratory animals revealed that these bacteria in general were sensitive to many commonly used antibiotics; however, there were notable exceptions. This report presents current antibiotic sensitivity patterns of most gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial pathogens common to laboratory animals.     

Treatment response and long term follow up in nineteen dogs diagnosed with chronic enteropathy in Australia

Chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs is common worldwide, but little data is available from Australia. The aim of this study was to describe treatment response and long‐term outcome in a cohort of dogs with CE. Dogs were prospectively enrolled at Murdoch University and the University of Melbourne. After diagnostic investigation to rule out diseases other than CE, dogs underwent sequential therapeutic trials until achieving a clinical response (diet then antibiotics, and finally immunosuppressants). Success was defined as 75% reduction of clinical severity for a minimum of five weeks. A total of 21 dogs were enrolled, and 19 completed the study. One dog was euthanised for lack of response to treatment and one excluded for lack of owner compliance. Most dogs responded to diet (n = 10), followed by antibiotics (n = 7) and immunosuppressants (n = 2). Long‐term remission (median 21.1 months, [3.0‐44.7]) was achieved in eight out of ten dietary responders without additional treatment. In contrast, only two dogs with antibiotic response remained in long‐term remission, of which one needed on‐going antibiotic treatment. Longer term remission was achieved in the two dogs treated with immunosuppressants with on‐going low dose therapy. This study concludes that most dogs referred for CE in Australia respond to dietary treatment (even after previous dietary interventions), and remission is long‐term compared to dogs treated with an antibiotic. Furthermore, the need for long‐term antibiotics in some dogs to maintain response may lead to antibiotic resistance. This study supports adequate dietary trials for CE in dogs, and a need for alternative second‐line treatments.     

Efficacy of oxytetracycline for treatment of papillomatous digital dermatitis lesions on various anatomic locations in dairy cows

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy of topical treatment with oxytetracycline solution among dairy cows with papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD) lesions on the interdigital cleft, heels, or dewclaw. DESIGN: Clinical trial. ANIMALS: 70 dairy cows from a single herd. PROCEDURE: On the basis of anatomic location of PDD lesions, cows were allocated into 1 of 3 groups (interdigital cleft [n = 14], heels [30], or dewclaw [26]) and treated topically with oxytetracycline solution. Cows were examined 14 and 30 days after initial treatment. During each examination, pain and lesion size scores were recorded. RESULTS: On the basis of pain and lesion size scores, oxytetracycline appeared significantly less effective among cows with lesions on the interdigital cleft than for cows with lesions on the heels or the dewclaw. Number of cows with signs of pain or visible lesions after treatment was significantly higher for cows with lesions on the interdigital cleft than for cows with lesions on heels or the dewclaw. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Anatomic location of PDD lesions has an effect on the efficacy of topical treatment with oxytetracycline solution in dairy cows affected with PDD. Cows with lesions on the interdigital cleft were less likely to respond to treatment, compared with cows with lesions on the heels or the dewclaw.