Prevalence of papillomatous digital dermatitis among culled adult cattle in the southeastern United States

Objective - To determine prevalence of papillomatous digital dermatitis (PD D) among culled adult dairy and beef cattle in the southeastern United Stal es. Animals - 815 cattle examined during 4 visits to a slaughterhouse. Procedure - The left hind foot of each animal was examined for gross lesion s of PDD, Breed and sex of the animals were recorded. Lesions were examined histologically for pathologic changes and bacteria, especially spirochetes . Results - 22 of 76 (29%) dairy cattle and 29 of 739 (4%) beef cattle had gr oss lesions of PDD. Detection of lesions was not associated with sex of dai ry cattle, but male beef cattle were more likely to have lesions of PDD tha n were female beef cattle. Histologically, acute and chronic lesions were s een; the most severe changes were localized to the stratum corneum. Spiroch etes were seen in lesions from 31 of 51 (61%) cattle. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - Results suggest that PDD is common amo ng culled adult cattle. Prevalence was higher in culled adult dairy cattle than in culled adult beef cattle.