# Medical-grade honey as treatment for udder cleft dermatitis in dairy cows

## TL;DR

This study explores using medical-grade honey as a treatment for severe udder cleft dermatitis in dairy cows, finding it may be more effective than zinc ointment.

## Contribution

The study introduces medical-grade honey as a potential alternative treatment for severe udder cleft dermatitis in dairy cows.

## Key findings

- Medical-grade honey showed a higher improvement rate (42.9%) compared to zinc ointment (14.3%) for treating severe UCD.
- Medical-grade honey was well tolerated and easy to apply to UCD lesions.
- The study suggests medical-grade honey is a promising alternative treatment for severe UCD.

## Abstract

Summary: Udder cleft dermatitis (UCD) is an inflammatory dermatological condition of the skin localized at the fore udder attachment of dairy cows. The severity of the condition varies from superficial dermatitis to extensive wounds. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether medical-grade honey could be as effective as zinc ointment to treat severe UCD. Fourteen cows with severe UCD were matched into pairs and then randomly assigned treatment with medical-grade honey or zinc ointment. Cleaning and debridement were identical for both treatment groups. The cows were treated 3 times per week, and the treatment continued for 8 weeks. Treatment with medical-grade honey resulted in a higher improvement rate (3 of 7) compared with zinc ointment (1 of 7), although the result was not statistically significant. This study indicates that medical-grade honey can be an alternative treatment for severe UCD.

Summary: Udder cleft dermatitis (UCD) is an inflammatory dermatological condition of the skin localized at the fore udder attachment of dairy cows. The severity of the condition varies from superficial dermatitis to extensive wounds. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether medical-grade honey could be as effective as zinc ointment to treat severe UCD. Fourteen cows with severe UCD were matched into pairs and then randomly assigned treatment with medical-grade honey or zinc ointment. Cleaning and debridement were identical for both treatment groups. The cows were treated 3 times per week, and the treatment continued for 8 weeks. Treatment with medical-grade honey resulted in a higher improvement rate (3 of 7) compared with zinc ointment (1 of 7), although the result was not statistically significant. This study indicates that medical-grade honey can be an alternative treatment for severe UCD.

•Zinc ointment was compared with medical-grade honey to treat severe UCD.•Medical-grade honey was well tolerated by cows and easy to apply to UCD lesions.•A higher improvement rate was noted for medical-grade honey compared with zinc ointment.•Medical-grade honey is a promising treatment alternative for severe UCD.

Zinc ointment was compared with medical-grade honey to treat severe UCD.

Medical-grade honey was well tolerated by cows and easy to apply to UCD lesions.

A higher improvement rate was noted for medical-grade honey compared with zinc ointment.

Medical-grade honey is a promising treatment alternative for severe UCD.

Udder cleft dermatitis (UCD) is a common inflammatory dermatological condition of the udder skin in dairy cows, localized at the fore udder attachment or between the front udder halves. The severity of the condition can vary from superficial dermatitis to extensive wounds and different classification scales exist. To date, no effective curative treatment has been identified. Honey has been used in wound care for a long time due to its ability to promote healing and antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether medical-grade honey could be as effective as zinc ointment in treating UCD. Fourteen cows with severe UCD (large crusts or open wound) were matched into pairs and then randomly assigned to treatment with medical-grade honey (n = 7) or zinc ointment (n = 7). Treatment continued for 8 wk, and UCD was graded at 3 different time points during the study. Treatment with medical-grade honey resulted in a higher improvement rate (42.9%) compared with zinc ointment (14.3%), although the result was not statistically significant. This study indicates that medical-grade honey could be an alternative treatment of severe UCD.