Abstract
To clarify the therapeutic effect of aquapuncture therapy on bovine foot rot, the experimental cattle were divided into control (conventional treatment), aquapuncture and combined treatment groups. Each group was composed of 6 Holstein cows with bovine foot rot. In the present study, the change in grade of lameness, total leukocyte counts, N/L. ratio, mean recovery rates (days) and histopathological changes of interdigital tissue before and after treatment were evaluated. The grade of lameness was decreased by treatment in each group, with the decreasing in order of combined > aquapuncture > control group. In change of total peripheral blood leukocyte counts, the tendency of decrease was found. Significances were detected on 9th day (P < 0.05) in control, on 6th day (P < 0.01) in aquapuncture group, and on 3rd (P < 0.05) and 6th day (P < 0.05) in combined group, respectively. In addition, significances were detected on 3rd and 6th day in aquapuncture, and on 3rd day in combined group by comparison with that of control, respectively. N/L ratio was decreased by therapy in each group with the decreasing in order of combined > aquapuncture ) control group. Significances were detected on 6th day (P < 0.01) between aquapuncture and combined groups. The mean recovery rates(days) were rapid with the decreasing in order of combined > acuapuncture > control group. In histopathological findings of interdigital tissue, the findings of inflammation and hemorrhage were not observed after treatment in each group. In conclusion, it was thought that aquapuncture and combined therapy was very effective on treatment of bovine foot rot.
