Author, Donkey, Bureaucrats, Administrators
53,803
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
{{unfinished}}
{{OpenPagesTop}}
Also known as: '''''Scald — Footrot — Strip
==Introduction==
An economically important disease causing lameness in sheep, is associated with under-running of the hoof and a characteristic 'odour'. Footrot is caused by [[Dichelobacter nodosus|''Dichelobacter nodosus'']] together with [[Fusobacterium necrophorum|''Fusobacterium necrophorum'']].
The first stage of the disease ('''scald''') involves moisture and trauma allowing ''F. necrophorum'' to enter. If ''D. nodosus'' is not present, the superficial damage can heal without any signs of lameness. However, the damage ''F. necrophorum'' causes aids bacterial penetration of the epidermis by ''D. nodosus'' resulting in [[Necrosis - Pathology|necrosis]] and [[Inflammation - Introduction| inflammation]] and sloughing of the hoof horn ('''footrot''').
|-
|}
Carrier animals are a major source of infection and are difficult to find as they are often sub clinical cases.
Carrier animals are a major source of infection and are difficult to find as they are often sub clinical cases.
==Signalment==
==Signalment==
Affects sheep, particularly those kept in wet, warm conditions.
Affects sheep, particularly those kept in wet, warm conditions.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Can be made on a history of lameness and rapid spread amongst the flock in combination with clinical signs.
Can be made on a history of lameness and rapid spread amongst the flock in combination with clinical signs. Under-running of horn in combination with separation of the horn on multiple feet of the same animal is characteristic of footrot.
Early cases only affecting the interdigital space may be mistaken for ovine interdital dermatitis and more severe cases may be confused with a foot abscess.
Early cases only affecting the interdigital space may be mistaken for ovine interdital dermatitis and more severe cases may be confused with a foot abscess.
If rams are affected they may not be able to serve and if ewes are affected they may not be able to take the weight of a ram.
If rams are affected they may not be able to serve and if ewes are affected they may not be able to take the weight of a ram.
Under-running of the horn is present and there is often a necrotic discharge which causes the characteristic foul 'odour'.
Under-running of the horn is present and there is often a necrotic discharge which causes the characteristic foul 'odour'.
==Pathology==
==Pathology==
Grossly:
Grossly:
Early lesions are red, moist, swollen and interdigital skin is eroded. This spreads to epidermal matrix of the hoof leading to separation of the horn and a malodorous exudate.
Early lesions are red, moist, swollen and interdigital skin is eroded. This spreads to epidermal matrix of the hoof leading to separation of the horn and a malodorous [[Exudation of fluid|exudate]].
Regeneration is attempted as germinal epithelium is not destroyed.
Regeneration is attempted as germinal epithelium is not destroyed.
Chronic infections can result in a long misshapen hoof.
Chronic infections can result in a long misshapen hoof.
Foot-bathing is also useful zinc sulphate and formalin can be used. There should be a dry area where the sheep can stand post dip to give the chemical time to take affect. This is more useful as a form of control to prevent footrot.
Foot-bathing is also useful zinc sulphate and formalin can be used. There should be a dry area where the sheep can stand post dip to give the chemical time to take affect. This is more useful as a form of control to prevent footrot.
[[Vaccines - WikiBlood |Vaccination]] is a further form of control. This only gives 12 weeks of protection and hence must be instigated at high risk periods. Two doses are required four weeks apart.
[[Vaccines |Vaccination]] is a further form of control. This only gives 12 weeks of protection and hence must be instigated at high risk periods. Two doses are required four weeks apart.
Another way to control disease is to cull repeatedly affected animals and hence carriers of the disease.
{{Learning
|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=title%3A%28%22Contagious+Footrot%22%29+OR+title%3A%28scald%29+OR+title%3A%28footrot%29+AND+od%3A%28sheep%29&occuring1=freetext&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=&occuring2=freetext&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&publishedstart=2000&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all&x=67&y=12 Contagious Footrot in sheep publications since 2000]
}}
==References==
==References==
Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' (Eighth Edition) ''Merial''
Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' (Eighth Edition) ''Merial''
[[Category:To_Do_-_Caz]]
http://www.footrotinsheep.org/
{{review}}
{{OpenPages}}
[[Category:Dermatological Diseases - Sheep]]
[[Category:Expert_Review - Farm Animal]]
[[Category:Integumentary System - Bacterial Infections]]