Kruuse has launched a new extra large size Bovivet Hoof Bandage for use in the treatment of digital dermatitis (DD) in cattle.Kruuse has launched a new extra large size Bovivet Hoof Bandage for use in the treatment of digital dermatitis (DD) in cattle.

According to the company, an estimated 70 per cent of dairy herds suffer with digital dermatitis and, if not treated, it can persist for months, causing pain and lameness to infected cows. Indeed, a paper1 presented at the BCVA 2011 Congress by Prof. N.B. Cook, Clinical Associate Professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison, USA, said that "lameness can systematically undermine the management of the dairy herd. No other disease has such fundamental and extensive effects on production, reproduction and risk of early herd removal."

The most effective way to fight DD has been found to be the management and treatment of individual animals. Traditional treatments have involved thoroughly washing the infected hoof, applying an antibiotic/drying agent, such as salicylic acid powder, and then applying a dressing that must remain in place usually for three days. However, it can be hard to correctly dose the salicyclic acid powder and there can be complications in ensuring that the dressing is correctly applied at the right pressure and that it stays in place. It can also be a risk to the user's health when mixing the powder.

Kruuse says this can be made easier by using the Bovivet complete Hoof Bandage along with Kruuse Hoof Gel 38%. Firstly, by using a gel, dosing is easy and more accurate, making it more economical per treatment; and, secondly, for the user, it reduces potential health risks from inhalation of the powder when mixing.

Stuart Wilson from Kruuse UK said: "Since the launch in the UK early last year, the hoof bandage has been very well received by cattle vets, but we were told by them that a larger version was needed in some cases. So Kruuse has produced the new extra large size 'red Jimmy Choos for moos'!"

Kruuse has produced the following instructional video to demonstrate the products' ease of use and versatility, and says that the estimated cost per hoof, assuming ten treatments from a bottle of the gel, is £2.71.

Reference

  1. "Finding solutions to lameness problems in dairy herds", Cook,N.B., Clinical Associate Professor in Food Animal Production Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI53706, USA

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