Hoof treatment comprising Chlorine Dioxide

Abstract

Bacterial infections in dairy cattle are treated by applying a solution of acidified sodium chlorite/chlorine dioxide to the hooves of the animals. Preferably, the solution is applied to the hooves by placing the solution in a foot bath and guiding the animals through the foot bath.

Claims

1. A method of treating hooves of livestock to reduce bacterial infections in said hooves comprising: The step of applying a treatment solution comprising of an aqueous solution of acidified sodium chlorite/chlorine dioxide onto said hooves of said cattle.

2. The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said treatment solution contains about 100-100,000 PPM of acidified sodium chlorite/chlorine dioxide by volume.

3. The method claimed in claim 2 wherein method comprises the step of placing said treatment solution is placed in a foot bath and the animals are directed through the foot bath.

4. The method claimed in claim 3 wherein said solution of sodium chlorite in said foot bath is activated with an acid, wherein said acid comprising at least one of hydrochloric acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, mineral acids, zinc chloride, acidified copper, formalin, organic acids, acid based surfactants, sulfuric acid, natural and synthetic acids.

5. The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said solution has a pH of less than 7.

6. A method of treating hooves of animals to reduce bacterial infections in hooves of an ungulate comprising applying to the hooves of an ungulate a treatment solution comprising acidified sodium chlorite/chlorine dioxide and water onto said hooves of said animals.

7. A method of treating hooves of cattle to reduce bacterial infections in said hooves comprising: a step of applying a treatment solution consisting of an aqueous solution of acidified sodium chlorite/chlorine dioxide onto said hooves of said cattle.

8. (canceled)

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims.

[0011] Bacterial infections in cattle and other livestock are treated with an aqueous solution of acidified sodium chlorite/chlorine dioxide. acidified sodium chlorite/chlorine dioxide can be obtained as an aqueous solution.

[0012] The effective concentration of the acidified sodium chlorite/chlorine dioxide solution is preferably 100-10,000 PPM by volume for treating existing infections.

[0013] The preferred method to apply the solution of acidified sodium chlorite/chlorine dioxide to the hooves of the cattle is the use of a walk through foot bath. More particularly, the animals are simply directed through the foot bath. Preferably, the foot baths will be about 6 inches deep of the acidified sodium chlorite/chlorine dioxide so the solution should be filled to a depth of at least 4 inches. The foot bath should be 8 to 12 feet long and is preferably preceded by a wash bath containing only water, or water and detergent, to remove manure from the feet prior to passing through the treatment bath. The treatment bath will typically be drained to the manure store.

[0014] Preferably, the chemical in the treatment bath is changed after about 200 animals have passed through the bath. The bath should then be thoroughly rinsed and cleaned prior to subsequent use.

[0015] The manure store with the drained acidified sodium chlorite/chlorine dioxide solution can then be drained.

[0016] While certain preferred embodiments are shown in the figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.