Bringing udder cleft dermatitis into view
Four practical cattle-health studies featured at the World Buiatrics Congress 2026
NoBACZ Healthcare are delighted to have supported four posters at the 2026 World Buiatrics Congress in Istanbul, all exploring practical approaches to improving cattle health and welfare while reducing reliance on antibiotics. Covering calf navel care, disbudding wounds, udder cleft dermatitis and digital dermatitis, the projects demonstrate how careful monitoring and effective barrier technologies can support better outcomes under commercial farm conditions.
Dr Harriett Chapman MRCVS from Coast2Coast farm vets investigated the frequently overlooked problem of Udder Cleft Dermatitis (UCD) by offering UCD screening across ten dairy farms in southwest England (2,087 lactating cows). Examination in the milking parlour, using mirrors and a standardised lesion-scoring system, identified a herd prevalence ranged from 2 % to 18 %, with a mean of 7.65 %, reinforcing evidence that the condition is common but may be underestimated when systematic inspection is not undertaken.
The work also prompted participating farmers to request a discussion group and explore the introduction of regular on-farm scoring. A practical management protocol was presented in which lesions were gently cleaned before the application, initially every day until discharge resolved, and then weekly or fortnightly until the skin healed.
Beyond establishing disease prevalence, the project highlighted how veterinary technicians can support routine detection, farmer engagement and earlier intervention to improve welfare.
Are you a vet interested in conducting research using NoBACZ products?
Our research and evidence team are always interested to explore new applications of our products that will help maintain animal health and welfare. If you have an idea you think might be interesting, please get in touch.