Evidence shows that risk factors favouring digital dermatitis outbreaks include: poor hygiene and high humidity; introduction of infected animals; no hoof care for heifers and dry cows; high levels of chronically infected animals; insufficient or inadequate hoof trimming; soft hooves and unbalanced nutrition.
[1] Digital dermatitis appears as lesions which initially looks like a raw, red, oval ulcer on the back of the heel.
[6] Control and prevention of digital dermatitis relies on prompt detection, isolation and treatment of affected cattle.
Slurry build-up should be avoided since organic matter can impair the antimicrobial efficacy of the footbath solutions.
[7] While regular footbathing can help prevent hoof infections, occasional flare-up of active M2 lesions can happen.
Copper sulfate footbaths are one of the most common forms of protection and treatment for digital dermatitis thanks to its antimicrobial trait and its ability to harden hooves to prevent exposure to bacteria.