OUTBREAK OF DIGITAL DERMATITIS (MORTELLARO-DISEASE) IN A DAIRY-HERD IN LOWER-AUSTRIA

In one farm, 87 animals (= 42.4 %) were affected by digital dermatitis (''Mortellaro disease''). Of the cows housed an slatted floors with c ubicles 70 % were affected, and of the cows housed on deep straw 33 % were affected. The animals suffering from digital and / or interdigita l dermatitis showed the lesions typical for the condition: round, 2 to 8 am in diameter, red, hairless, and painful; the chronic stages show ed a papillomatous appearance. Most of the lesions were located immedi ately proximal to the horn-skin junction plantar or palmar adjacent to the heels, less common on the dorsal aspect of the digit or in the in terdigital space. The affected cows showed a stiff gait, seldom a mode rate lameness. Digits of the hindlimbs were predominantly involved. Ba cteriological examination of lesion swaps and pathohistological examin ations of excised tissue revealed spirochaetes. The prevalence of digi tal dermatitis in this dairy herd could be reduced to 20 % in the stal l with ?he slatted floor and to 6.7 % in the deep straw yard within 7 weeks. The claws and the lesions were carefully cleaned with water usi ng a high pressure hose, and an oxytetracycline spray was repeatedly a pplied. Housing hygiene was generally improved. The extensive internat ional literature on etiology, predisposing factors and various therape utic regimens of digital dermatitis is discussed.