Survey of DD prevalence on cattle auctions – The risk of introducing DD on a farm by buying external livestock

Objective

Digital dermatitis, caused by an infection with treponemes, is a common cause of economic losses on dairy farms. Acute lesions (DD-M2) can cause lameness and is also an animal welfare issue.

Diagnosing early stages (DD-M1, small DD-M2), it is possible to improve the therapeutical outcome. To detect early stages of DD evaluation of hoof health should be performed regularly – e.g., by a foot check during milking in the parlor. The key for dairy herds to keep DD out is a closed herd management without any purchase of cattle. Farms already affected by DD avoid bringing super spreaders into their herd.

On livestock auctions the risk to buy infected animals can be estimated by the percentage of affected farms (DD affects 70 to 90% of U.S. dairies similar to German farms), that is why, a Southern German breeding association decided to screen every animal’s feet for DD which is presented on the monthly auctions they host (mainly first lactating cows, few heifers, few multi- lactating cows). [...]