Lameness Management Made Easy : Mark Spooner's Success with Dermashield
Mark Spooner, a seasoned dairy farmer, shares his real-life experience & results after years of using Dermashield for common foot conditions.
24/7 Footbath, your effective solution to Foot problems
Dermashield Leg band for Bovine Lameness - Two Pack
Dermashield® is a revolutionary product to support your cows' hooves health. Say goodbye to footbaths, Dermashield® is your put-it-on and forget-it footbath solution for 24/7 action where it is needed. With its unique patented technology Dermashield® delivers a continuous flow of copper ions down to the hoof. It is the safe & affordable solution to support the hoof for issues caused by bacteria, fungi and yeasts: digital dermatitis (strawberry) & foot rot. A two pack contains two Dermashield® bands.
Contact us for bulk quantity discounts for over 50 Two Pack Bands. (100 Bands)
Removable Band: Recommended for Pasture Cows
For environment where digital dermatitis has a low prevalence, a
removable band is often recommended. Removable bands can be easily taken off and put back on as needed, making them convenient to support healing for hoof issues such as foot rot when they arise.
Permanent Band: Recommended for Barn Cows or Cows with recurring hoof issues
For cows that are barned, where there is a high presence of digital dermatitis, or cows who suffer from recurring hoof issues, a permanent band is recommended.
Prevention: Dermashield acts like a 24/7 foot bath. With the delivery of a continuous flow of copper ions to the hoof, it helps with the prevention of digital dermatitis.
Reduced risk of loss: Once closed, permanent bands cannot be opened until removed by cutting the band.
Consistency: Permanent bands provide continuous protection and support, which benefits cows at higher risk of infections.
Permanent bands ensure that cows remain protected, especially in conditions where infections are more likely to occur.
Dermashield® Key Differences
- 24/7 Antimicrobial Action
- Effective
- Easy to Use
- Safe to Use
- Low Environmental Impact
Safe & Responsible
Chemical Free - Safe to handle for you and your staff.
Antimicrobial Stewardship - Dermashield® contains no antibiotic.
Environmentally Friendly - Dermashield® is an environmentally friendly option because it releases copper ions only where needed, minimizing environmental impact by using approximately 17 mg of copper per day. This controlled release ensures effective protection while being mindful of the environment.
Dermashield® Installation Download
Devastating Impacts of Lameness & Foot Problems
Major Economic Impact
After mastitis, lameness is the disease with the highest economic impact for dairy cattle. Lameness cost per case is estimated to be:
- $302 in the USA, AG Proud (April 2023)
- £297 in the UK, Journal of Dairy Science (April 2023)
- €320 in Hungary, Ozsvdri L (2017)
High Incidence & Prevalence
With an increasing average incidence rate of 20% to 35% and a prevalence between 15% and 55% in herds across the world - Ozsvári L (2017), Lameness cannot be ignored.
Research estimated that about 80% of lameness cases are directly linked to foot problems.
Effective - 24/7 Action
Dermashield® uses state-of-the-art copper ion slow-release technology. This provides a targeted action to the needed area via a downward flow of copper ions, carried by moisture, from the band (installed above the dew claw) to the hoof.
The flow of copper ions creates a zone around the cow’s hoof 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Economical & Simple to Use
Dermashield® if worn full time has a useable life of approximately 1 lactation. Moisture from incidental contact will activate Dermashield®, releasing ions for up to 12 months.
Simply apply above the dew claw whether the animal has an active skin infection or not.
Safe & Responsible
Chemical Free - Safe to handle for you and your staff.
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Dermashield® - contains no antibiotic.
Environmentally Friendly - The amount of copper used per band is approximately a tiny 17mg per day. Footbaths release 1,500 times more Copper Sulphate into the environment than Dermashield®.
Easy to Recycle
After it is used, Dermashield® can be disposed of where recycling is available for polypropylene, the most recyclable of all plastics, (Recycling number 5) according to your local authorities.
Dermashield® Can Be Deployed In 3 Ways
MONEY SAVER | MORE EFFECTIVE | ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP
1. To Provide a Barrier
Installing Dermashield® on all housed cows, including young stock is the ultimate.
Cows always benefit from continuous copper ions flow when incidental moisture is available.
2. To Provide Copper Ions When Risk of Problems is Increased
This would include after an intervention such as removing a stone from the claw, heavy trimming, or where a small superficial problem is noted.
3. In Conjunction with Therapy
Dermashield® can assist in conjunction with therapy on active lesions or wounds, by providing a flow of copper ions.
Installation
Follow these steps for best results
1. To facilitate correct installation and to ensure safety of both the cow and the person installing the Dermashield® legband, the cow MUST be restrained.
2. The hoof should be cleaned with soap and warm water using a brush to clean off any debris, so that the hoof can be examined. Use a teat-spray such as iodine at 3,000ppm to disinfect after cleaning. The hoof should be trimmed.
3. Install Dermashield® by fixing the strap to the leg above the dew claw (Fetlock) as show on the right with the velcro fastening to the front side (to keep the doubled over part at the front of the cow's leg).
4. The strap must not be firm or tight, to allow for lunging flex and to prevent loss.
5. Using both thumbs, slide them along the strap length pressing firmly to interlock the Velcro hooks.
Results After 5 Weeks
"Keeping it simple: such a small piece of kit helps immeasurably with a huge problem. We would not farm without them."
- Mandy & Peter Paterson - 180 Cow Farm
Always on 24/7 Footbath
Designed with the Best Technology
Dermashield® harness the unique properties of its CopperFlow™️ core to continuously generate and deliver a steady flow of copper ions where they are required.
The CopperFlow™️ core is designed and manufactured using a patented process and technology by Integran Technologies Inc, of Canada, the world leader in structural and functional electroformed and electro-clad technologies.
Any doubts about Dermashield®? Our dedicated support specialists are available when you need them to answer your questions. Contact us.
Dermashield® FAQ
Can Dermashield® be used on all kinds of lameness?
Lameness is caused by a variety of issues. Dermashield® harnesses the power of copper, an essential mineral to support hoof health.
How do I activate Dermashield®?
Simply apply and it activates with moisture. Moisture can be provided by dew or rain for pasture cows, incidental water contact in the milking shed, or urine or sprinkler water in the barn.
How do I know Dermashield® is still active?
Simply apply and it activates with moisture. Moisture can be provided by dew or rain for horses kept outside, incidental water contact in the stable.
Do I need to hoof trim?
Dermashield® does not replace the need for hoof trimming or hoof care, or the need for antibiotics when indicated by your Veterinarian.
SDS Information - Safe to handle, easy to recycle
Dermashield® is a solid copper insert inside a polypropylene strap. It is made of the highest purity copper. (US C110000 Copper alloy, 99.9% Copper.) Dermashield® should be stored in a clean, dry place.
After is used, Dermashield® can be disposed of where recycling is available for polypropylene, the most recyclable of all plastics, (Recycling number 5) according to your local authorities.
Do you offer any other products other than Dermashield®
Yes we do. Farm Medix is the NZ leader in Integrated Mastitis Management for dairy farmers. We have a complete suite of solutions to help you achieve your goals.
Snapshot® - Dairy Farm Holistic Approach - Bulk Tank Testing.
The only tool that identifies pathogens, tell you where they are coming from and provides you with farm specific recommendations to get on top of:
- Mastitis
- Recurring milk quality issues
- High SCC
- High Treatment Costs
- Grading
Check-Up® - On Farm Mastitis Testing - Bring the Lab to your Farm.
Ultimate diagnostic solution to identify the pathogens involved in your clinical mastitis cases to improve clinical outcome, prevent new cases and reduce
antibiotic use. Check-up® is easy to use and provides you with a quick and comprehensive response with 21 different mastitis pathogens tested.
7 day/ week support. Farmers can reach our team with questions and send photos when they are unsure and get advice.
Herdscreen® - Whole Herd Cow Level Testing - Staph Infection Control
Herdscreen is a fast and economical way to regain control of contagious mastitis in your herd by identifying your infected cows. Far superior to herd testing, this ultimate
tool is recommended to farmers facing contagious mastitis pathogen(s) challenges detected by our Snapshot® bulk tank test.
Fresh Cow Dry Cow® - All-In-One Staph, Aureus & Clinical Mastitis Management - On-Farm Individual Cow & Quarter Testing
Regain control over Staph, aureus and reduce your clinical
mastitis costs with Fresh Cow Dry Cow®, our revolutionary on-farm surveillance system, backed by 7 day/ week support.
- Highest Staph, aureus Sensitivity (>97%)
- Clinical Mastitis Broad Diagnostic Capabilities (>15 pathogens)
- Hospital grade testing
- Exclusive 7-Day Support
- Affordable & Easy to Use on Farm
