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P U L L - O U T G U I D E
Guide to
Lameness
in Sheep
Most outbreaks of lameness in sheep are caused by either scald (interdigital dermatitis) or footrot. Scald and
footrot share the same primary cause, the bacterium Fusobacterium necrophorum which cause damage to the
superficial layer of the skin between the claws and enables the establishment of other bacteria, including
Dichelobacter nodosus, which causes footrot.
SCALD
In mild cases of scald the interdigital skin is red and swollen and covered by
a thin layer of white material. There is no under-running of the hoof wall or
sole and no foul smell. Individual cases of scald can be treated topically
using oxytetracycline aerosol sprays.
When several animals are affected, walking sheep through a 10% zinc
sulphate solution or 3% formalin in a footbath usually provides effective
control. It is usually necessary to repeat the foot bathing at weekly intervals
throughout the risk period.
FOOTROT
Footrot is an extremely painful disease and affected animals lose weight
rapidly. Animals with virulent footrot are very lame, remain recumbent for
long periods and may carry the affected leg. When both forelimbs are
affected, animals walk on their knees.
A break occurs at the skin horn junction between the claws then infection
spreads under the horn tissue so that the hoof becomes separated from the
sole and may extend up the wall. Early lesions need footbathing and/or
vaccinations. More advanced cases require antibiotics and foot trimming.
CODD
Contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) is an apparently new, severe
condition first described in 1997. The characteristic clinical picture is a
primary lesion at the coronary band of the outer wall with subsequent
invasion and under-running of the hoof wall from the coronary band towards
the toe causing detachment then shedding of the horn capsule. Sheep show
severe lameness affecting one digit of one foot in most animals but both
digits of one foot in some sheep. The damage to the corium may be so
severe that re-growth of the horn is permanently affected. Typically, there is
also loss of hair extending 3-5 cm above the coronary band. There is no
interdigital skin involvement. Tilmicosin is more effective than oxytetracycline
during the acute phase of CODD.
TOE FIBROMAS
These most commonly result from overzealous foot paring with exposure of
the corium and excessive use of formalin footbaths. This condition can be
resolved by careful foot paring with excision of the growth and application
of a pressure bandage to the affected area.
This is a job for your vet.
BELOW:
(LEFT) BEFORE
(RIGHT) ONE WEEK LATER
XLVet UK Ltd
Carlisle House, Townhead Road,
Dalston, Carlisle CA5 7JF
T:
(01228) 711788
E:
farmskills@xlvets.co.uk
www.farm-skills.co.uk
Workshops on sheep lameness and foot trimming are available all
year round. We also cover sheep parasite control and worming as
well as lambing techniques and nutrition.