A field trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of the original and two modified formulations of Victory and
oxytetracycline among dairy cows affected with
papillomatous digital dermatitis. Seventy-eight cows with
papillomatous digital dermatitis lesions were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups (A, B, C, D). Cows in group A (n = 19) were treated with an
oxytetracycline solution; cows in group B (n = 22) were treated with the original formulation of Victory containing soluble
copper,
peroxide compound, and a cationic agent; cows in group C (n = 17) were treated with a modified formulation of Victory containing reduced soluble
copper and
peroxide compound but increased levels of cationic agent; and cows in group D (n = 20) were treated with a modified formulation of Victory containing levels of soluble
copper and cationic agent equivalent to the original formulation but with reduced concentrations of
peroxide compound. Cows were examined 7, 14 and 28 d after initial treatment; during each examination,
pain and lesion scores were recorded. The modified nonantibiotic formulation used in cows in group C appeared to be the most effective for treatment of
papillomatous digital dermatitis. Proportions of cows with signs of
pain were significantly lower among cows in group C, compared with cows in group A. Similarly,
pain scores were significantly lower among cows in treatment group C, compared to cows in group A. The 2 low efficacy of
oxytetracycline was an unexpected result b and may have clinical implications associated with possible antibiotic resistance in dairy cows affected with
papillomatous digital dermatitis.