Digital Dermititis in cows.

I was talking to a dairy farmer today who said that he was having a lot of trouble with foot rot or Digital Dermititis in his herd. He had tried various topical treatments such as copper sulphate and some antibiotic creams and although he had had some success the effects were deminishing. He also has his cows walk through a 200 litre foot-bath with 'stuff' in it - I forget the name of it.

I told him a bit about MMS and he is very keen to give it a try since the treatments he using are very expensive and deminishing in value/effectiveness.

I have a pound of 80% Sodium Chlorite, a Kg of Citric Acid and some 35% Hydrochloric Acid.

I am thinking about creating a topical spray (possibly including DMSO) and something that could go in the foot-bath.

Does anyone have any suggestions or advice about what would be a good place to start (protocols/ strengths etc)?

tia Linton

Hmmm...... If it were me I would probably start with a foot bath type protocol. Here is a link to get things started. You will no doubt need to adjust amounts. mmswiki.is/index.php?title=Bath_protocol
I would probably make them walk through this. Have them stand in it for a while if he can. Of course, if possible, try and keep them out of the mud but that may be more of a dream than reality!

Hi Horsefeathers, thanks for the speedy reply.

Yes getting them to stand around in a foot-bath for any length of time is unlikely so i wonder is the any advantage/ disadvantage to increasing the strength also how long would a bath remain active in that kind of eviroment? As for the slurry, this seems to be an important area for reinfection. presumably Sodium Hypochlorite could be used to kill the bacteria in the slurry in the yards and sheds and parlours.

Do you think the correct regime could, overtime, overcome this infestation?

Linton.

My best guess is that as long as they must be in the mud/manure they will not heal. If they can be kept in a cleaner environment (difficult to do for sure) then they should heal well with MMS. As long as they are in the mud I would NOT add DMSO as it will also then carry the bacteria in as well as the MMS.

I can't see how a person can overcome the mud bacteria without actually removing the mud. There is just to much there for chemicals to deal with effectively. Or at least in my opinion. Is there any way the infected cattle can be put in a temporary enclosure that is clean and can be kept clean? Then the MMS would have a good opportunity to do its job.

PS Another thought on the subject. Perhaps somebody might know of a way to make an MMS ointment? Then one would have to wash the hoof well and apply ointment. Only several times daily. Ugh!

In the meantime is would still walk them through an MMS bath or a real good spraying whichever is easier. Something is better than doing nothing.

Good advice about the DMSO, I didn't think that through thoroughly. My thinking was to increase the absorption of MMS in the shortest time possible. As for isolating the affected animals I don't know if that's possible until I speak to my friend in the next day or so.

I guess the best advice I can give him is the one you've just given me - try the existing protocols and see what happens.

thanks,

Linton.

Hi Horsefeather,

I was reviewing the protocols on the forum and reading protocol 4000 - Calcium Hypochlorite and thinking maybe this could be used in a foot-bath as an alternative to the stuff they are using now. Whatcha think?

And if it could. what kind of concentrations would be safe and effective? I get the feeling we are in new territory here. I would welcome your thoughts.

And I've just noticed your suggestion about ointment - great idea, I'm sure I have seen neutral ointment that is used to carry colloidal silver, that should be able to keep the MMS in contact with the infection long enough to do it's work without the side effects of DMSO. Thankyou!

Linton.

Ahh! Good idea! Yep, new territory! My brother cured a persistent infected ingrown toenail with a daily 1 hour swim in the community pool (over 40 years ago!) Absolutely do not give it internally as it requires quite a bit of water to wash down not practical with an animal.

I would suggest trying different strengths on your own feet. Soak them in a solution and see how they react. Go from there. If you have an open sore or something so much the better. Then you will know if there is sting involved.

But it still remains that they must get into a cleaner, dryer environment until they are completely healed or all will probably be for naught.

Again, if you have access to this ointment you speak of, try it with MMS on yourself to see how it feels and reacts. Or if you have no open wounds a willing volunteer is always nice!
You really don't want to be ouching a large animal any more than you have to, especially if you are bent over by their feet!

I have been 'Googleing' ointments and found this gem.
it's 3.26 mins long.


How long do you think MMS would last in a gel and how do you test it's continuing effectiveness? I hope you don't mind bouncing ideas off you but you are a Moderator which is why you get paid the Big Bucks right?

Yup, the pay is tremendous!
I do not know how long it will last in a gel. I know that when I apply straight MMS to an open wound it stings a bit then scabs over quickly. If you have a small wound then apply some MMS gel to it and see how it reacts.
Hopefully, somebody with some experience in the gel area can chime in. Thanks for the videos. Have to run to my own barn and will have a look at them when I get back!

Wow! Good videos! And so easy and cheap to do! Thank you for posting them!