Livestock

Cattle Digital Dermatitis: Welfare Management in 2026

Digital dermatitis (Mortellaro disease) remains a leading cause of lameness and pain in dairy cattle worldwide, requiring systematic welfare-focused management strategies.

Key Facts

Digital dermatitis affects 20-30% of cows in many dairy herds globally
The condition causes severe pain, lameness, and reduced mobility in affected animals
Untreated lesions can progress to chronic stages with persistent pain and welfare compromise
Footbath programmes, early detection, and individual treatment are the main control tools

Welfare Considerations

Digital dermatitis causes significant, often chronic pain in dairy cattle. Lame cows experience reduced feed intake, lower milk production, and impaired social behaviour. Early detection and prompt treatment with topical antibiotics or non-antibiotic alternatives are critical welfare interventions. Herd-level footbath programmes help prevent new infections. Regular mobility scoring by trained stockpersons enables timely intervention before lesions become severe.

What You Can Do

Implement regular mobility scoring (every 2 weeks) in all dairy herds
Ensure prompt individual treatment of any cow scoring above mobility score 2
Use validated footbath protocols to reduce herd-level disease pressure
Invest in staff training for early digital dermatitis lesion recognition