Evaluation of a Serpens species bacterin for treatment of digital dermatitis in dairy cattle.

Digital dermatitis is a major cause of lameness in many dairy herds and represents a detriment to milk production, reproductive efficiency, productive lifespan and welfare. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic use of a Serpens species bacterin in a dairy herd known to have a significant prevalence of lameness due to digital dermatitis. Seventy-six mature lactating Holsteins were enrolled in this study. Group 1 (n=38) received three injections of a Serpens species bacterin at four-week intervals (weeks 0, 4, and 8) while group 2 (n=38) received only adjuvant. Blood samples were obtained prior to the first injection at week 0 and again at week 12 to evaluate antibody responses. Locomotion and digital dermatitis lesion measurements were performed at weeks 0, 12 and 18. Although Serpens-associated antibody titers increased from week 0 to 12 in vaccinated cows; the prevalence of digital dermatitis, the percentage of cows identified as clinically lame and the average width of digital dermatitis lesions did not differ from week 0 to 12 or from week 0 to 18 between groups. The results of this study indicate a lack of any clinical efficacy associated with vaccination in this herd, although inoculation with the bacterin did stimulate a measurable antibody response.

Efficacy of amprolium for the treatment of pathogenic Eimeria species in Boer goat kids.

This study evaluated the efficacy of two different doses of amprolium in goats heavily infected with pathogenic Eimeria species. Forty Boer goat kids ranging from 3 to 5 months of age with naturally occurring coccidiosis were randomly divided into 2 groups and treated orally with amprolium at doses of 10mg/kg daily for 5 days (n=20) or 50mg/kg daily for 5 days (n=20). The Eimeria oocyst per gram concentrations were significantly reduced on day 7 in the kids that received amprolium at 50mg/kg, however oocyst concentrations were not significantly reduced in goats that received the 10mg/kg dose. Out of 100 Eimeria oocysts identified from a pooled fecal sample, E. christenseni was the most frequently identified (52%) coccidial species present. The results of this trial indicate that amprolium can be an effective treatment for pathogenic Eimeria species in goat kids, however higher and extralabel doses (50mg/kg) should be used.