Foot Disorders in Dairy Cows - Treatment with Regional Perfusion with Ceftiofur Sodium

Abstract

Background: Foot disorders represent important economic losses in dairy cow farming due to reduced productivity, high treatment costs, changes in farm handling, and disposal of milk and animals. Thus, there is a need for treatment options with lower and efficient costs that do not require milk disposal. Ceftiofur sodium is one of the few antimicrobial options considered to be residue-free in milk, with positive results in the treatment of foot disorders. This study aimed to report on the use of regional perfusion with ceftiofur sodium to treat foot disorders in dairy cows.
Cases: From February to April 2023, by evaluating a herd of 100 dairy cows (Holstein Friesian x Gyr) raised in a semi-extensive system in the region of Serra da Canastra, 4 cows were found to have foot disorders, presenting interdigital dermatitis (n = 1), sole hemorrhage and double sole (n = 1), and interdigital hyperplasia (n = 2). The animals received treatment with a single regional infusion of ceftiofur sodium. The procedure began with restraining the animals in a hoof trimmer, performing trichotomy and antisepsis of the common dorsal digital vein, and placing a rubber tourniquet  round the proximal metacarpal or metatarsal region. Venipuncture was performed with a scalp vein infusion set (19G needle) to administer lidocaine hydrochloride and ceftiofur sodium. The tourniquet was kept on for 30 min to allow regional perfusion of the antimicrobial. This allowed for the necessary time to surgically debride the lesions, apply a dressing, and provide analgesic and anti-inflammatory treatment before releasing the animals back to their original enclosure. The wound dressings were changed on a weekly basis and the wounds were cleansed with running water and neutral soap to keep them dry and clean. Copper sulfate was included in the 1st 2 dressings to facilitate debridement of the wounds. The locomotion score (LSC) and body condition score (BCS) were assessed weekly to monitor the animals’ recovery. The LSC scored high in the initial assessments but returned to normal at the end of treatment, whereas the BCS displayed slight fluctuations during this period. Milk yield was estimated by 3 weighings before lesions appeared until recovery, indicating a consistent decrease in milk yield over time. The animals’ recovery period lasted from 4 to 7 weeks, and expenditures were tabulated to assess the average cost of treatment, which amounted to BRL 185.70 per animal, considering only the expenses from medicines and materialsDiscussion: The treatment of foot disorders in cows using regional perfusion with ceftiofur sodium showed satisfactory results, promoting the recovery of animals, in line with published studies. There are few studies that report the cost of treating foot disorders in cows and most of them present outdated figures, making it difficult to compare values. The decline in milk production without recovery after treatment should not solely be attributed to foot issues, but also to the environmental challenges due to high rainfall rates. The absence of ceftiofur sodium residue in the milk allowed for its preservation during treatment, avoiding reductions in farm income and the need for modifications, such as changing the milking process and different disposal of the milk from the treated cows. Finally, the treatment of foot disorders in dairy cows by regional perfusion with ceftiofur sodium showed satisfactory results, at an affordable price, promoting the recovery of the animals, without the need to dispose of milk or change the handling of the farm, minimizing losses.

Keywords: antibiotic, treatment, bovine, hoof, cost