New Study Highlights The Benefits Of Using Ketoprofen For The Treatment Of Pain And Lameness Associated With Digital Dermatitis In Cattle
2 years ago 
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A new study1 has highlighted the benefits of using ketoprofen for the treatment of pain and lameness associated with digital dermatitis (DD) in cattle.
Lameness is one of the most significant problems facing the dairy industry worldwide, having a major impact on cattle welfare, health and production, leading to substantial economic losses2. Lameness has been associated with reduced milk yield3, mastitis4, and infertility5 and has been reported to be prevalent in dairy herds in Europe and North America6,7. Within the UK, the mean herd lameness prevalence was recently found to be 30.1%8. Digital dermatitis is one of the most frequently recorded diseases associated with lameness in dairy cattle9.
During the study, 158 cows presented with active DD (M1, M2 or M4.1 stage) and were randomly allocated to either the control or the treatment group. All cows were treated with a topical application of oxytetracycline spray. The treatment group also received an intramuscular injection of Ketofen® 10% solution for injection (ketoprofen 3mg/kg). Cows were mobility scored just before they were treated and then again one week later.
The results indicated that animals in the control group were 2.57 times more likely to be lame at the second evaluation compared to those that received Ketofen®, however cows that were lame in the control group prior to treatment and did not receive Ketofen® were over 20 times more likely to remain lame a week post-treatment compared to cows that did receive Ketofen®. Interestingly, this same study showed a milk yield benefit overall; treated cows produced 2.98 kg more milk than control cows (T = 45.35 C = 42.37, p<0.01). When only lame fresh cows were considered, there was a 10.49kg increase in milk yield (T = 58.38 C = 47.89 p<0.05).
Nick Bell MA, VetMB, PhD, PGCert Vet Ed, FHEA, DipECAWBM(AWSEL), MRCVS, veterinary surgeon and director of Herd Health Consultancy, comments: “We’ve widely recognised the importance of NSAIDs for treating claw lesions, which are primarily inflammatory conditions, but this study is the first real insight into how important NSAIDs are for any lesion, including digital dermatitis, particularly if the cow is showing signs of lameness. This research provides a clear welfare justification for giving NSAIDs to dairy cows with active digital dermatitis lesions, with significant milk yield benefits.”
“While it is recognised that some stages of digital dermatitis are painful, there has been little research to determine the value of including analgesia in the treatment of the condition,” adds Katherine Timms BVetMed(Hons) MRCVS, ruminant veterinary advisor at Ceva Animal Health. “This study suggests that the use of Ketofen® in the treatment of pain and lameness associated with active digital dermatitis lesions may be beneficial for animal welfare as it is associated with an improvement in mobility scores.”
For further information on the study visit https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.977. For information on Ketofen contact your local Ceva account manager or call 01494 781510.
References
- Kasiora K, et al. Evaluation of the use of ketoprofen for the treatment of digital dermatitis in dairy cattle: A randomised, positive controlled, clinical trial. Vet Rec. 2021;e977. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.977
- Willshire, J. and Bell, N.J., 2009. An economic review of cattle lameness. Cattle Practice 17(2):136-141.
- Amory J.R. et al 2008. Associations between sole ulcer, white line disease and digital dermatitis and the milk yield of 1824 dairy cows on 30 dairy cow farms in England and Wales from February 2003-November 2004. Prev Vet Med. 83(3–4):381–91.
- Peeler, E. J., M. J. Otte, and R. J. Esslemont 1994. Inter-relationships of periparturient diseases in dairy cows. The Veterinary Record 134.6:129-132
- Huxley JN. Impact of lameness and claw lesions in cows on health and production. Livestock Sci. 2013;156(1–3):64–70.
- Dippel, S., et al 2009.Risk factors for lameness in freestall-housed dairy cows across two breeds, farming systems, and countries. J. Dairy Sci. 92.11: 5476-5486.
- Solano L. et al 2016. Prevalence and distribution of foot lesions in dairy cattle in Alberta, Canada. J Dairy Sci. 99(8):6828–41.
- Randall L. et al 2019. Lameness prevalence in a random sample of UK dairy herds. The Veterinary Record, 184(11): 350.
- Bell N. and Vanhoudt A. 2020. Treatment and control of DD in dairy cattle. In Practice 42(10):554-567
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