Difference between revisions of "Contagious Footrot"

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==Description==
 
==Description==
A mild condition affecting sheep causing lameness. The disease is associated with under-running of the hoof and a typical 'odour'. Footrot is caused by [[Dichelobacter nodosus|''Dichelobacter nodosus'']] together with [[Fusobacterium|''Fusobacterium necrophorum'']].  
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It is an economically important disease causing lameness in sheep. The disease is associated with under-running of the hoof and a typical 'odour'. Footrot is caused by [[Dichelobacter nodosus|''Dichelobacter nodosus'']] together with [[Fusobacterium|''Fusobacterium necrophorum'']].  
Moisture and trauma allow''F. necrophorum'' to enter which aids bacterial penetration of the epidermis by ''D. nodosus'' invades resulting in necrosis and inflammation.  
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Moisture and trauma allow''F. necrophorum'' to enter which aids bacterial penetration of the epidermis by ''D. nodosus'' resulting in necrosis and inflammation. Carrier animals are a major source of infection and are difficult to find as they are often sub clinical cases.
It is an economically important disease.
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==Signalment==
 
==Signalment==
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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.
**Benign footrot (scald)- only interdigital skin affected, slight separation of heel horn
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Benign footrot (scald)- only interdigital skin affected, slight separation of heel horn
***Mostly the type occuring in cattle
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Mostly the type occuring in cattle
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==Treatment==
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A single dose of [[Antibiotics|antibiotics]] ideally penicillin or oxytetracycline.
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==Prognosis==
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==References==
  
 
[[Category:To_Do_-_Caz]]
 
[[Category:To_Do_-_Caz]]

Revision as of 11:47, 5 August 2010



Also known as: Scald


Description

It is an economically important disease causing lameness in sheep. The disease is associated with under-running of the hoof and a typical 'odour'. Footrot is caused by Dichelobacter nodosus together with Fusobacterium necrophorum. Moisture and trauma allowF. necrophorum to enter which aids bacterial penetration of the epidermis by D. nodosus resulting in necrosis and inflammation. Carrier animals are a major source of infection and are difficult to find as they are often sub clinical cases.


Signalment

Affects sheep, particularly those kept in wet warm conditions.


Diagnosis

Can be made on a history of lameness and rapid spread amongst the flock in combination with clinical signs.

Clinical Signs

Lameness is often the first clinical sign to be noted and can vary in severity. Under-running of the horn is present and there is often a necrotic discharge which causes the characteristic foul 'odour'.


Pathology

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 malodorous exudate. Regeneration is attempted as germinal epithelium is not destroyed. Chronic infections can result in a long misshapen hoof. Benign footrot (scald)- only interdigital skin affected, slight separation of heel horn Mostly the type occuring in cattle


Treatment

A single dose of antibiotics ideally penicillin or oxytetracycline.

Prognosis

References