Footwarts in Dairy Cattle
(Papillomatous Digital Dermatitis)
Deryck Read, Richard Walker and Alex Ardans, California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System; David Hird and Steven Berry, University of California, Davis; John Kirk, John Maas and Donald Klingborg, Veterinary Medicine Extension; Richard Breitmeyer, California Department of Food and Agriculture
Problem: Papillomatous digital dermatitis (hairy footwarts) has become a major health problem threatening the California and national dairy herd. Affected animals are very painful, reluctant to stand or walk, have decreased feed and water intake, decreased milk production and suffer major weight loss.
Approach: Researchers at the School of Veterinary Medicine collaborating with the CVDLS, the VMTRC in Tulare, various departments within the school and Veterinary Medicine Extension are investigating the organisms potentially involved, and the epidemiology of the agent.