September 24, 2014

Zinpro's trace mineral product proactively prevents digital dermatitis

Dairy producers can help proactively prevent the development of digital dermatitis, a highly prevalent infectious claw disease, by utilising the company's Availa®Plus trace mineral product.

The product offers an effective alternative to the current reactive approach of using footbaths (for prevention) and topical antibiotics (for treatment).

"Digital dermatitis represents an ongoing challenge on our dairies and there are very limited ways to control it," said Dr. Tomlinson, Research Nutritionist, Zinpro Corporation. Digital dermatitis is a well-known problem for dairy producers, as it is the most common infectious claw disease in dairy cattle.

The product contains a combination of complexed zinc, manganese, copper and cobalt, plus potassium iodine. While Availa-Plus does not completely eliminate the need for foot bathing, because heifers may still have lesions, the lesions are not large, painful, active lesions.