Number of cow passages of acidified and antibiotic-free footbathfrom pH analysis

Abstract

Footbaths are widely used on dairy farms to prevent and treat hoof diseases, especially digital dermatitis. HoofCare® is a commercial, antibiotic-free product composed of zinc chloride, citric acid, copper citrate, and melaleuca oil, also known as tea tree oil. Empirical field evidence suggests that footbath application yields good results in controlling and preventing foot diseases, as well as when the product is used for direct brushing in treating digital dermatitis lesions. This study aimed to determine the number of cow passages of an acidified commercial solution footbath (HoofCare®) based on pH and compare it with the solution currently most used, 5% copper sulfate. Samples were collected every 50 cow passages, starting from solution preparation to the last cow passage (C0, C50, C100..., C750). Additional samples of the solution preparation and the final HoofCare® footbath were also collected at four different time points: two for the entire lactating herd and two for dry cows and heifers. It is recommended that copper solutions maintain a pH below 5.0, with the ideal cut off point being 4.5. All samples were stored and protected from light for subsequent analysis. Results revealed statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) in pH between the copper sulfate and HoofCare® solutions, as determined by the variance test ANOVA. Furthermore, it was evident that at C400 (400 cow passages), the copper sulfate solution had a pH of 4.51, while the HoofCare® solution showed a lower pH of 3.72, only reaching 4.51 at C650 (650 cow passages). The pH variation curve of the HoofCare® solution displayed pH values that remained within the recommended range for an effective footbath (below 5.0) even after 816 cow passages (pH = 4.88). In conclusion, the cutoff point (pH < 4.5) for the 10% HoofCare® footbath was determined to be 600 cow passages. The solution exhibited superior stability and efficacy in maintaining an optimal pH for a greater number of cow passages compared to the 5% copper sulfate solution.