Comparison of topical application of oxytetracycline and four nonantibiotic solutions for treatment of papillomatous digital dermatitis in dairy cows

Objective-To compare efficacy of topical treatment with oxytetracycline sol ution or 1 of 4 nonantibiotic solutions among dairy cows with papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD). Design-Randomized field trial. Animals-66 cows in a single herd. Procedure-Cows were randomly assigned to be treated with oxytetracycline so lution; a commercial formulation of soluble copper, peroxide compound, and a cationic agent; 5% copper sulfate solution; acidified ionized copper solu tion; hydrogen peroxide-peroxyacetic acid solution; or tap water. Cows were examined 14 and 30 days after initial treatment. During each examination, pain and lesion scores were recorded. Results-On the basis of pain and lesion scores, oxytetracycline and the com mercial formulation appeared equally effective for treatment of PDD and sig nificantly more effective than 5% copper sulfate solution, acidified ionize d copper solution, hydrogen peroxide-peroxyacetic acid solution, and tap wa ter. Proportions of cows with signs of pain or visible lesions after treatm ent were significantly lower for cows treated with oxytetracycline or the c ommercial formulation than for cows in the other groups. Clinical Implications-Oxytetracycline and a commercial formulation of solub le copper, peroxide compound, and a cationic agent appeared to be effective for treatment of PDD in dairy cows.