Survey of interdigital phlegmon outbreaks and their risk factors in free stall dairy herds in Finland

• Published in: Acta veterinaria scandinavica Vol. 59; no. 1; p. 46
• Main Authors: Kontturi, Miia, Kujala, Minna, Junni, Reijo, Malinen, Erja, Seuna, Eija, Pelkonen, Sinikka, Soveri, Timo, Simojoki, Heli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 12.07.2017; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Care and treatment; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - epidemiology; Cattle Diseases - etiology; Cattle Diseases - prevention & control; Cellulitis; Cellulitis - epidemiology; Cellulitis - prevention & control; Cellulitis - veterinary; Communicable diseases; Dairy farms; Dairy industry; Dairying; Demographic aspects; Diagnosis; Disease Outbreaks - veterinary; Expansion; Farms; Female; Finland - epidemiology; Foot Diseases - epidemiology; Foot Diseases - prevention & control; Foot Diseases - veterinary; Foot rot; Foul in the foot; Hoof; Hoof and Claw; Infectious hoof diseases; Interdigital phlegmon; Mechanical ventilation; Milk; Morbidity; Outbreak; Outbreaks; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Finland; Interdigital phlegmon; Outbreak; Foot rot; Infectious hoof diseases; Foul in the foot; Risk factors; Interdigital necrobacillosis
• ISSN: 1751-0147; 0044-605X; 1751-0147
• DOI: 10.1186/s13028-017-0313-0

Severe outbreaks of interdigital phlegmon (IP) associated with a high morbidity and major economic losses have occurred in Finland in the past decade. A survey was performed to indicate the current occurrence of infectious hoof diseases and to identify herd level risk factors predisposing to an outbreak of IP. Responses to a questionnaire revealed that an outbreak of IP defined as morbidity ≥5% within the 1st month of the outbreak, had occurred in 18.0% of the respondent study farms. Risk factors for an outbreak included animal transport between herds, i.e. either animal purchase or contract heifer rearing, enlargement or renovation of the barn, and if the fields of the farm had been organically cultivated. Having any kind of mechanical ventilation in comparison to natural ventilation seemed to lower the risk of IP. Additionally, the farms that had experienced an outbreak of IP often had other infectious hoof diseases. However, it was unclear which disease appeared first. More attention is needed before and during enlargement or renovation of the barn and substantial planning is crucial for every part of the enlargement process in dairy farms.