Situation
Examination of your flock showed some lame sheep. Closer observation
revealed swelling, redness and moist areas between the toes. One or more
feet are involved and footrot is suspected. If the problem is not attended
to and both front feet are involved, the animal will begin to kneel while
feeding or lie down and refuse to move. The animal will soon begin to lose
weight. Footrot can result in tremendous economic loss in a sheep operation,
second only to coyotes and dogs.
Cause
Footrot is caused by a synergistic reaction between two organisms -Fusobacteria
necrophorum and Bacteroides nodosa -in the foot. One of them,
Fusobacteria necrophorum, is nearly always present in the environment.
The other, Bacteroides nodosa, can survive a maximum of two weeks
if not residing in the hoof. Bacteroides nodosa produces a powerful
enzyme that destroys the tissues of the hoof by migrating through
the soft tissues to areas under the horn. One or two weeks of wet feet and
hot humid conditions creates an ideal environment for footrot-causing bacteria
to grow. Foot injury caused by rough concrete and other hard surfaces may
also wear the hoof down, leading to easy bacteria entry and growth.
Clinical Signs
Lameness will be observed from time to time in all flocks. This may result
from foot injury, foot breakage, sheep fighting around feed bunks, rams
butting ewes, sharp objects stuck in the hoof, mud, brittle hooves cracking,
and injury to other joints in the legs.
In more advanced cases, the foot will be red, swollen and appear moist or
grayish-yellow when examined. The foot will also be sensitive when pressure
is applied.
Treatment
The earlier footrot is diagnosed, the quicker it can be treated and cleared
up. One method is to use a footbath which can be constructed or purchased.
Construction of a footbath from a 4' :4' piece of plywood for the bottom
and 2" x 6" boards on the sides will work quite well when placed
in strategic spots where sheep must walk to get water. Splashing can be
controlled by placing sacks or pieces of carpet or tag wool in the bottom.
Copper sulfate (20% solution) or 10% zinc sulfate can be used daily in the
bath. Formalin (10%) can also be used as a bath, but not daily because of
irritation to the foot. A 10% solution of formalin can be made by mixing
a gallon of 37% formaldebyde to 9 gallons of water.
Copper sulfate solution can be prepared by adding 32 Ibs. of copper sulfate
to 20 gallons of warm or hot water so that the copper sulfate will dissolve.
It has the disadvantages of staining wool and being corrosive to metal.
Also, decreased effectiveness is noted when dirt and manure enter the bath.
The most effective treatment in controlling footrot without trimming the
feet is a 10% solution of zinc sulfate (Cross & Parker, 1981). The preparation
of a bath containing 8 Ibs. zinc sulfate in 10 gallons of warm water, stirring
until dissolved, results in a 10% solution.
Each of these treatments can be used as a precautionary measure. None
of them however, should be consumed by the sheep as toxic effects will result.
DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO DRINK OR CONTAMINATE OTHER DRINKING WATER.
Limitations to Treatment
Sheep treated in footbaths of zinc sulfate, copper sulfate or formalin for
footrot should not be allowed to walk through the solutions and back through
muddy areas or on grass wet with dew. This will dilute the compounds on
the feet and render the treatment ineffective.
Lame sheep should be separated from healthy sheep to retard the exposure
to the bacteria causing footrot.
Sheep not responding to the foot bath in two weeks following treatment should
have feet trimmed very closely (bleeding may occur) and a topical spray
applied after the bleeding stops. The feet must be trimmed down to the healthy
tissue if treatment is expected to be effective.
Sheep not responding to treatment following footbaths and trimming with
topical application should be culled. Otherwise, they will remain as carriers
and affect the healthy flock. Cull all mature animals with deformed feet,
they probably are carriers. It only takes one carrier in a flock to continuously
spread infection to other sheep in the pasture or drylot.
Other Effective Measures of Control
Hydrated lime scattered in yards and pens is also effective in destroying
footrot-causing bacteria. It can be placed in areas where sheep congregate:
around waterers, feed bunks or salt and mineral sources. It will not replace
walk-through footbath solutions.
How to Prevent Footrot
When purchasing sheep, never buy from a flock in which you have observed
lame sheep. Bring newly purchased sheep home and keep them confined for
two or three weeks and observe for lameness. If the animals begin to limp,
examine the feet and treat for footrot by trimming closely and applying
a topical spray of 10% formalin, 20% copper sulfate or 10% zinc sulfate.
If they continue to show signs of lameness, contact the person from whom
you purchased the animals to negotiate with them or sell the animals rather
than expose the entire healthy flock.
A Systematic Treatment Plan To Eliminate Footrot
1. Separate all lame sheep from the flock.
2. Run the non-lame group through a 10% formalin footbath and relocate to
a pasture or lot previously unoccupied for 14 days.
3. Treat affected lame sheep by running them through a footbath containing
10% zinc sulfate
to reduce the percentage of affected animals when the number is large and
labor
availability critical.
4. Place the footbath in a strategic area where the infected sheep will
walk through it several times a day.
5. When the number of affected animals is small, feet should be trimmed
prior to exposure to the footbath.
6. Approximately 75% of the affected feet will be completely healed without
trimming within four weeks, if feet remain dry following footbath treatment.
7. Remaining affected animals will require individual treatment of trimming
feet to expose diseased areas and subsequent treatment with a topical 10%
formalin spray.
8. Run animals through clean 10% zinc sulfate footbath for two more
weeks.
9. Animals not responding to treatment should be sold.
10. Purchased animals should have feet trimmed and treated topically
with 10% zinc sulfate,
and isolated for two weeks before introducing to the existing flock.
900 Moreau Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65101 (573) 681-5554
Lincoln University at Jefferson City, University ot Missouri, and the U.S.
Department ot Agriculture cooperating, George Enlow, Director. Distributed
in furtherance ot food and Agricultural Act, 1977 PL 95-113 Section 1444
and 1445, as amended by PL 97-98 December 22,1981.
Publications are distributed without regard to race, color, national origin,
sex, age, or religion.
January 1990