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. 2017 Jul 12;59(1):46.
doi: 10.1186/s13028-017-0313-0.

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

Miia Kontturi  1 , Minna Kujala  2 , Reijo Junni  2 , Erja Malinen  3 , Eija Seuna  3 , Sinikka Pelkonen  4 , Timo Soveri  2 , Heli Simojoki  2
Affiliations

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

Miia Kontturi et al. Acta Vet Scand. .

Abstract

Background: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: 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.

Keywords: Foot rot; Foul in the foot; Infectious hoof diseases; Interdigital necrobacillosis; Interdigital phlegmon; Outbreak; Risk factors.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Number of the herds with an outbreak of interdigital phlegmon (IP) per year. The number (n = 64) of the herds with an outbreak of IP based on the replies to our survey. The survey was performed in May 2013 and therefore, the last year in this chart is incomplete
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Interdigital phlegmon (IP) associated putative diseases and occurrence (%) in various disease groups. The occurrence of various diseases in group with no outbreak of IP i.e. control herds (n = 259), group with few cases of IP (n = 32) and group with an outbreak of IP (the morbidity of IP ≥5% during the 1st month of the outbreak, n = 64). The definition of the other infectious hoof diseases includes lesions in between the hooves or in the heel and reddish, painful lesions in the hoof region. The >5% white line lesions describes lesions that needed a hoof blocking for treatment, and buccal abscesses characterize visual signs of calf diphtheria in suckling calves. The Chi squared test was used between control and outbreak herds and significant difference is marked with *P < 0.01
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