Farm Animals

Cattle Digital Dermatitis: Control and Welfare

Digital dermatitis (Mortellaro's disease) is a painful bacterial infection of the foot affecting dairy and beef cattle globally, with significant welfare implications.

Key Facts

Digital dermatitis affects 15-70% of cattle in affected herds and is endemic on most dairy farms
The condition causes severe lameness and pain, affecting both welfare and production
Foot bathing with copper sulphate or formalin is a standard prevention tool
Vaccination and individual lesion treatment are emerging as complementary approaches

Welfare Considerations

Digital dermatitis causes chronic, painful lameness in a significant proportion of cattle worldwide. Effective herd-level control requires integrated management combining foot baths, individual treatment, and biosecurity to prevent introduction of virulent strains.

What You Can Do

Support dairy producers with structured digital dermatitis control programmes
Advocate for lameness assessment and treatment protocols in farm assurance standards
Engage with veterinary and research organisations developing digital dermatitis vaccines