Difference between revisions of "Contagious Footrot"
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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. | ||
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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) | + | Benign footrot (scald) results in only the interdigital skin being affected and a slight separation of heel horn. Mostly this is the type occuring in cattle. |
| − | Mostly the type occuring in cattle | ||
Revision as of 11:56, 5 August 2010
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This article is still under construction. |
| Also known as: | Scald |
Description
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 together with Fusobacterium necrophorum. Moisture and trauma allow F. necrophorum to enter which aids bacterial penetration of the epidermis by D. nodosus resulting in necrosis and [Inflammation - Introduction|[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) results in only the interdigital skin being affected and a slight separation of heel horn. Mostly this is the type occuring in cattle.
Treatment
A single dose of antibiotics ideally penicillin or oxytetracycline.