EFFECTIVENESS OF THE GEL CONTAINING CHELATED COPPER AND ZINC FOR TREATING DIGITAL DERMATITIS IN DAIRY COWS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of topical treatment of copper and zinc chelates to cure digital dermatitis (DD) in dairy cows. The study was conducted between December 2016 and Februari 2017 and involved 38 dairy cows from a dairy farm on which DD was endemic. Lesions were scored in the milking parlor on both hind feet using M0 to M4 scoring system using Relun's method with a headlamp and a mirror on a spatula. The cows were divided into two experimental groups and one control group. Group 1 received topical treatment with gel containing cooper and zinc, on the zero, second and fifth days with bandaging. Group 2 received the same treatment without bandaging. Control group was used to assess the possible effects of surgical debridement and bandaging. The percentage of the lesions recovered from DD in experimental groups was 86.4% and 46.1%. In control group the percentage of the recovered animals was 16.7%. The cure rate of gel containing chelated copper and zinc and bandaging is an excellent option to treat DD.