Dairy Event 2010: Staying one step ahead of lameness by footbathing

Using parlour washings as the only form of foot bathing is a lameness risk to your herd, Nick Bell of Bristol University told Farmers Weekly at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show.

“As part of the Healthy Feet project we have identified cases where farms with historic digital dermatitis (DD) problems have witnessed epidemics when deciding to use parlour washings.”

And these findings are concurrent with those seen by researcher Marijntje Spejers from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, who witnessed a 27% rise in DD levels when cows were bathed with 2% hypochlorite (parlour washings).

Hypochlorite is easily neutralised by organic matter, whereas other chemicals are more resilient, explained Dr Bell.

“There is no doubt feet are cleaner when cows are run through parlour washings, but I would strongly advise they are used as an adjunct to other chemical foot bathing products.”

Parlour washings could be used in pre-wash baths. However, it is important to consider the chemical component of the disinfectant bath when doing so.

“Hypochlorite in parlour washings can react with formalin and deactivate it. It is, therefore, advisable to have some degree of separation and never mix the two.” However, formalin can be mixed with copper sulphate.

But case studies have shown that when farms are foot bathing three times a week with a 5% formalin solution, there is likely to be a benefit from using parlour washings for the rest of the week.

“Running cows through the footbath on a regular basis will improve cow flow and create less dunging,” Dr Bell added.

Foot bathing is more important than ever before, said vet Roger Blowey, The Wood Vet Group.

“Digital dermatitis has changed. A study carried out by myself and Liverpool University, identified digital dermatitis in 85% of non-healing lesions, including solar ulcer and udder lesions.

“This disease should be viewed as mastitis of the foot. With mastitis control, it is important to look at the environment, identify and treat infected cows and regularly disinfect every teat – lameness is no different.

“You wouldn’t teat dip once a week, so why would you foot bath once a week?” he asked.