News

Footwarts of Cattle - Identification & Treatment

(November 11, 2002) During the past 10 years, footwarts has emerged as a serious problem in North America. In dairy cattle, the disease may cause widespread severe lameness, decreased milk yield, body weight loss, decreased reproductive performance, and increased veterinary expenses. Veterinarians in the U.S. recall seeing sporadic cases of similar lesions on the feet of cattle about 20 years ago, but the widespread, contagious nature of the emerging disease has been appreciated only in the past few years. Although the precise cause of this wartlike disease is unknown, the authors have made significant progress in understanding the disease process. Below is an outline describing what is known about papillomatous digital dermatitis, commonly called footwarts.

Disease Situation
Lesion Characteristics

• Usually at back of foot near interdigital cleft/heel bulb
• Sometimes at front of foot, in the interdigital cleft or near dewclaws
• Early lesion: sharply demarcated, flat, dime-sized, round to oval, moist, tufted, strawberry-like surface
• Mature lesion: larger (up to 2" across), usually raised (up to golf-ball sized); sometimes with long
brown/black tufts or hair-like, tissue projections on surface
• Long (true) hairs at edge of lesion
• Very painful and prone to bleeding, especially early lesions
• May persist for many months or may regress in dry weather
• Environment may predispose (poorly drained lots, freestalls, abrasive soil/concrete)

Disease Characteristics
Treatment and Control

• 95% of footwarts are highly responsive to antibiotics
• Contact your veterinarian for up-to-date information
• Cleansing plus topical application of antibiotics under a wrap are usually highly effective
• Treatment program should include non-lame affected animals
• Recurrent or new lesions may develop within 7-12 weeks of successful treatment in 50% of cows
• Autogenous footwart vaccines are ineffective
• Repetitive use of chemical or antibiotic foot spray is usually effective (consult your veterinarian)
• Manage corrals/free stalls so that feet are not continually wet
• Avoid caking of lower legs with manure-rich slurry
• Quarantine, examine and treat new arrivals, especially heifers