New App Helps Identify, Record and Predict Digital Dermatitis
| Zinpro Corporation recently announced the launch of the DD Check App, a new resource for the dairy industry that helps producers identify, record and predict digital dermatitis (DD). The DD Check App was developed by Dörte Döpfer, Ph.D., D.V.M., Tom Bennett and Marlène Tremblay, D.V.M., University of Wisconsin – School of Veterinary Medicine, and is licensed by Zinpro Corporation. It is now available for free on iPhone and iPad devices through the App Store (search “Zinpro”). |
| “Digital dermatitis outbreaks can become a vicious cycle,” said Döpfer. “We developed the DD Check App to help producers accurately identify and quickly record digital dermatitis lesions. It is part of an integrated strategy to identify, prevent and control digital dermatitis in dairy cattle of all ages. After lesions are recorded, a report can be generated that includes a list of animals requiring follow-up, as well as graphs to monitor lesion trends over time and signs for chronic cases. The app also includes access to a statistical DD Infection Model, which can be used to help predict potential DD outbreaks.” |
| The DD Check App helps producers: |
| • Identify DD: Images and descriptions for various lesion stages educate users to understand what to look for while inspecting cows in pens, parlors or restraint chutes, and how each stage should be recorded. It is critical to accurately identify lesions by stage, as well as which cases are chronic in order to understanding the herd’s disease status and DD dynamics. |
| • Record DD: Features within the DD Check App allow users to quickly record the presence of lesions in the various stages. This includes recording and predicting trends in the number of signs for chronic DD cases. After recording lesions, use the app to create a list of animals requiring follow-up, given their DD history and prognosis for treatment. |
| • Predict and Prevent Outbreaks: Users may access the DD Infection Model to initiate automated statistical prediction of potential DD outbreaks. Once the disease status is known, immediate action can be taken through an integrated prevention and control strategy to manage the incidence of DD. |
| “Digital dermatitis can cause painful lesions that often lead to lameness, which ultimately impacts animal well-being, and dairy herd productivity and profitability,” said Daryl Kleinschmit, Ph.D., research nutritionist, Zinpro Corporation. “With the new DD Check App, dairy producers now have a tool available at the palm of their hand to help accurately identify and record DD lesions where and when it is convenient. This leads to a better understanding of digital dermatitis prevalence across the herd in its various stages. Understanding how to identify DD and track its prevalence is key to keeping the disease under control.” |
| The DD Check App is the latest tool available from Zinpro’s well-regarded First Step dairy lameness assessment and prevention program. Developed by Zinpro Corporation, in conjunction with Nigel Cook, University of Wisconsin – School of Veterinary Medicine, the First Step Program provides the industry’s most comprehensive assessment of overall lameness risk factors on a dairy to help manage and prevent cattle lameness. |
| To learn more about digital dermatitis, watch Episode 1 of the Experts Talk online video series at zinpro.com. In that episode, Döpfer discusses her team’s recent research on nutritional strategies for DD prevention and control in pre-calving heifers. To learn more from industry experts as they address common questions related to DD and Availa®Plus, visit the digital dermatitis FAQ video library at zinpro.com. |
