Foot Rot

By: Endre Fink, UK Research Specialist

Foot RotBacteria enters the hoof and digests the hard tissue

that protects the soft fleshy tissue inside the hoof

Fusobacterium necrophorum Always present in soil/manure Affects soft part of the hoof Helps Dichelobacter nodosus enter

Dichelobacter nodosus Only lives in the soil for 10-14 days Can survive in the hoof given the

right anaerobic environment Affects soft and hard part of the

hoof Can be eliminated

Caused by:

Requires foot trimming

There is often gray scum and a very pungent smell

No vaccine available in the U.S.

Foot Scald

Foot Scald

Also called benign foot rot

Fusobacterium necrophorum Anaerobic bacteria which inhabits the large intestine of

small ruminants Always present in soil and manure

Caused by:

Can lead to foot rotSwollen, red skin between toes

It does not affect the hard part of the hoof, unless left untreatedStarts due to damage to the interdigital skin caused from tall grass, muddy conditions, weed stubbles, etc.

Prevention

Foot Rot Foot Scald

~ Never buy infected sheep

~ Inspect and isolate new animals

~ Trim feet

~ Use foot baths

Treatments

Foot Rot / Foot Scald

~ The goal is to dry out the infected feet and introduce oxygen

~ Trim feet; always remove all necrotic tissue when trimming an animal known to have foot rot

~ Isolate affected animals

~ Cull chronic limpers

Treatments

Foot Rot / Foot Scald

~ Rotate pastures every 10-12 days, important to move right after trimming and walking through a foot bath

~ Use of chemical drying agents

Dry Foot BathGood preventativeNeed to put in area where sheep will walk through it

10 lbs Zinc sulfate mixed with 90

lbs limestone

Zinc Sulfate Does not harden the

hoof Animals have to stand

for up to 15 minutes Can be hard to dilute Good to use if having

to do a lot of trimming 4 lbs in 5 gal water

Copper Sulfate Hardens the hoof Can be toxic to sheep Stains the wool Good for scald as there

is not a lot of trimming 8 lbs in 5 gal water