Efficacy of two modified nonantibiotic formulations (Victory) for treatment of papillomatous digital dermatitis in dairy cows

A field trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of the original and two modified formulations of Victory and oxytetracycline among dairy cows affe cted with papillomatous digital dermatitis. Seventy-eight cows with papillo matous digital dermatitis lesions were randomly allocated to one of four tr eatment groups (A, B, C, D). Cows in group A (n = 19) were treated with an oxytetracycline solution; cows in group B (n = 22) were treated with the or iginal formulation of Victory containing soluble copper, peroxide compound, and a cationic agent; cows in group C (n = 17) were treated with a modifie d formulation of Victory containing reduced soluble copper and peroxide com pound but increased levels of cationic agent; and cows in group D (n = 20) were treated with a modified formulation of Victory containing levels of so luble copper and cationic agent equivalent to the original formulation but with reduced concentrations of peroxide compound. Cows were examined 7, 14 and 28 d after initial treatment; during each examination, pain and lesion scores were recorded. The modified nonantibiotic formulation used in cows i n group C appeared to be the most effective for treatment of papillomatous digital dermatitis. Proportions of cows with signs of pain were significant ly lower among cows in group C, compared with cows in group A. Similarly, p ain scores were significantly lower among cows in treatment group C, compar ed to cows in group A. The low efficacy of oxytetracycline was an unexpecte d result and may have clinical implications associated with possible antibi otic resistance in dairy cows affected with papillomatous digital dermatiti s.