Impact of Housing Type on Prevalence and Severity of Digital Dermatitis

Digital dermatitis is a skin condition of cattle, which usually affects the skin on the bulbs of the heel or between the digits. The lesion causes considerable pain to the cow, resulting in reduced mobility and feeding, with consequent loss of milk production. The condition can persist for months if it is untreated (Peterse 1992). This study was designed to determine the factors affecting the prevalence and severity of digital dermatitis in dairy cows, by appraising the role of the environment in its development ...