NOVELTY - Preventing and/or treating at least one infectious disease of the hoof in animals, comprises: preparing a copper-free and zinc-free composition comprising at least one crosslinking agent, which is not formaldehyde; and administering the composition to a lower leg and hoof area of the animal.    USE - The method is useful for: preventing and/or treating at least one infectious disease of the hoof in animals (ungulate), where the infectious disease is hairy heel warts, foot rot, stable foot rot or foot scald; and treating papillomatous digital dermatitis, in an ungulate (all claimed) e.g. cow, sheep, horse or goat. The ability of the composition (comprised (in%): glutaraldehyde (25); deionized water (69.68); CO-720 (RTM: Ethoxylated nonyl phenol) (2.6); methyl salicylate (1.35); propylene glycol (1.35); and green dye (0.02)) to treat digital dermatitis was tested in 5 cows with visible lesions due to digital dermatitis. The result showed that 4 out of 5 cows required no further treatment due to complete and thorough scabbing of lesions and 1 cow had a severe lesion prior to treatment required 1 additional treatment.    ADVANTAGE - In the method, the infectious disease comprises an open lesion on the lower leg and/or hoof area of the animal, where 5-15 minutes after administering the composition, the composition causes the formation of a scab over the lesion, thus the composition is rapid in nature. The composition: is inexpensive; is easy to use; highly effective; does not have formaldehyde, thus has no obnoxious odors; is biodegradable; does not affect normal skin; avoids the use of antibiotics; and is useful in cold climates when traditional techniques for treating hairy heel warts fail due to cold weather.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (1) the copper-free and zinc-free composition; and    (2) a method for treating and/or preventing papillomatous digital dermatitis in an ungulate, comprising: preparing a copper-free and zinc-free composition comprising at least one crosslinking agent and at least one quaternary ammonium compound; and spraying or applying the composition as a foam to a lower leg and hoof area of the ungulate.