Lameness Flashcards
What is the 5-point plan for reducing lameness in a flock?
- Vaccinate with Footvax 2X year
- Treat lame sheep quickly
- Biosecurity
- Hygiene
- Cull chronically lame sheep
What sedative and local is used for claw amputation (disarticulation between P1 and P2)?
Xylazine sedative
Procaine local
What pathogens cause CODD in sheep?
Treponemes
What are the grades of CODD in sheep?
Grade 1 - coronary band lesion only Grade 2- <50% of horn capsule separated Grade 3 - >50% horn capsule separated Grade 4 - healing but active lesion present Grade 5 - healed
How is CODD treated?
Long acting amoxicillin
Or macrolides
(May require repeat treatment)
What pathogen causes interdigial dermatitis (AKA scald or grade 1 footrot)?
Dichelobacter nodosus (Skin must be damaged - wet weather, long plants etc)
How is interdigital dermatitis/scald/grade 1 footrot treated?
Topical oxytetracycline spray
Formalin/zinc footbaths
DO NOT TRIM
What pathogen/s are involved with footrot?
Dichelobacter nodosus + Fusobacterium necrophorum
How is footrot treated?
Injectable, long acting antibiotics (oxytetracycline, amoxicillin
How is footrot prevented?
Footvax 2X year
Some sheep are prone to interdigital fibroma due to breed. Are antibiotics required to treat this?
No - only if secondary infection
Pedal joint abscesses are a consequence of white line disease. What are the treatment options?
Flush and antibiotics
Digital amputation
Euthanasia
Toe granulomas are due to over-trimming or chronic foot disease. How are they treated?
Remove granulation tissue and cauterise with disbudding iron
(Under regional anaesthesia)
How is soil balling (balls of soil between toes) treated?
Remove
Topical oxytetracycline spray
Does white line disease or shelly hoof cause lameness?
No - unless sensitive tissue affected
How are white line abscesses treated?
Pare/trim out area of separation and lance abscess
No medication needed as no infection - just separation from wall
Name 2 pathogens that can cause joint ill in lambs
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Strep dysgalactiae
(Tickborne)
Post-dipping lameness is a swelling above the coronary band that progresses to other joints. What pathogen is involved with post-dipping lameness?
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
What is the treatment for post-dipping lameness?
Penicillin
Clean dipper tank
What is ‘strawberry foot’ and what pathogen causes it?
Proliferative scab lesions on distal limbs
Dermatophilus
How is Strawberry Foot (Dermatophilus) treated?
Topical antibiotics
Move to dry area
