A Case-Series Report on The Use of a Salicylic Acid Bandage as a Non-Antibiotic Treatment for Early Detected, Non-Complicated Interdigital Phlegmon in Dairy Cows

Interdigital phlegmon (IP) is a common and economically important cause of acute lameness in cattle. It is most often treated with antibiotics. To reduce the use of antibiotics, we wanted to evaluate the effect of treatment with a salicylic acid bandage of the hoof of early-detected IP in dairy cows. We found that treatment by farmers of mild IP with salicylic acid was generally satisfactory. Within three to five days, treated cows responded with reduced lameness, lower body temperature, decreased swelling, and an improved general condition compared with the day when the treatment started. The salicylic acid bandage therefore showed the potential to be an attractive alternative in the treatment of early detected, non-complicated IP. The benefits of using salicylic acid instead of antibiotics include reduced risk of antimicrobial resistance, no painful injections of antibiotics, cheaper treatment costs, and no withdrawal of milk. However, it is important that the diagnosis is correct and that other claw disorders and complications are identified and treated promptly