The effect of topical application of Stryphnodendron adstringens (Martius) Coville extract and oral biotin supplementation on recovery of wounds from digital dermatitis surgery

Abstract

Digital dermatitis can impair the health and milk yield of dairy cattle. Treatment of digital dermatitis involves corrective trimming and footbaths. The results of these are not always satisfactory, with an added risk of persisting residues in the dairy products and environment. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Stryphnodendron adstringens (Martius) Coville extract (applied via footbath or directly over the lesions) and biotin supplementation on wound healing in 90 surgically-corrected digital dermatitisaffected dairy cows. All animals were female, crossbred (Holstein × Gir), affected with digital dermatitis to different degrees of severity. The lesions were evaluated over a 45-day post-surgical period, and the cows were divided to six treatment groups. The groups were divided based on application of the extract as a footbath solution with or without supplemental biotin, application by brushing with or without biotin, and cleaning with water with or without biotin. The evaluation was performed considering the rates and recovery times. Supplementation with biotin did not influence the rate or recovery time of the surgical wounds. Topical application of the bark extract (via footbath solution and brushing) was determined to be more beneficial than washing with water.