Footrot in sheep
Animal are not
able to bear weight on the
affected foot and will kneel on the grass to
feed.
So what causes these injuries?
Footrot is caused by the
bacterium
Dichelobacter nodosus
. D.
nodosus can be transmitted from sheep to
sheep through direct contact
but the main
transmission route is through the pasture.
Factors affecting signs of footrot:
•
environment
–
moisture and
temperature
in the pasture
•
virulence
of
infecting bacteria
•
type
of sheep
•
stocking rate
and proportion
of infected
sheep.
Signs of footrot
Mild reddening of the skin between the digits or toes (interdigital) from
complete separation of the horn of the
hoof are the first signs of
infection. The bacteria can then move under the horn causing separation
of horn around the heel, sole, toe and eventually to the outer wall.
Sheep infected with footrot become progressively more lame and
exhibit the following signs in progressive order:
1.
Inflamed, red and moist skin between the digits.
2. A grey pasty scum between the digits.
3. Lifting of skin-horn junction between digits.
4. Under-running or separation of horn around heel, sole, toe and finally
to the outside hoof wall.