foot rot Flashcards
what are the most important causes of lameness in sheep
3
- scald
- footrot
- CODD (contagious ovine digital dermatitis)
what bacteria causes footrot
dichelobacter nodus
what is one common bacteria involed in scald
AKA strip or interdigital dermatitis
Fusobacterium necrophorum
what is scald and how does it lead to footrot
- scald and early stage footrot are clinically indistinguishable
- caused by bacteria that invade the surface layers of the skin between the claws (interdigital skin) followinf damage by moisture, frost and/or mechanical damage
- if D.nodosus is present on the farm, footrot develops in first stage as scald and then second stage characterised under-running of hoof horn and a characterisitc smell
where is F. necrophorum found and can it be eliminated
- ubiquitous (found everywhere)
- impossible to eliminate from farm completely
what type of bacteria are D. nodous and F. necrophorum
bacteria in scald/footrot
anaerobic
list 6 key facts about footrot
- the bacteria that cause footrot (D. nodosus) are adapted to live and survive on the feet of sheep
- D. nodosus survives on pasture or bedding for up to 14 days
- D. nodosus survives in the hoof clippings for a long time
- infection can spread between sheep if they walk on the same surface
- lame sheep can be treated with antibiotic injections and topical antibiotic sprays
- in a small number of sheep the infection can be very difficult to treat and they tend to get repeat infections, becoming the source of future infections for the rest of the flock
what is not a recommended treatment of footrot in sheep that is commonly used due to previous suggestions
foot trimming
is there a vaccine for the prevention of footrot
yes- footvax is an immunisation for sheep to prevent footrot and reduce lesions
what is the 5 point plan for prevention of footrot in sheep
- Cull badly or repeatedly affected animals.
- Quarantine incoming animals.
- Treat clinical cases promptly.
- Avoid transmission of infection on farm.
- Vaccinate against footrot biannually.
https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/lameness-vaccines-in-sheep#:~:text=Only%20one%20footrot%20vaccine%20is,nodosus
