SHEEP LAMENESS
We provide a range of preventative and therapeutic medicines
to help reduce lameness in the herd. These include vaccines for bacterial
causes of lameness such as foot rot, as well as anti-microbials and
anti-inflammatories to help keep the animal comfortable.
Our Vets are highly experienced in foot pairing and their
vans are equipped with all the usual equipment. We do not yet offer on-site
facilities for foot pairing however will strive to help our clients with the
individual animal needing emergency treatment.
Lameness in sheep is a common and persistent disease, reported in flocks in all sheep producing countries. It is a major welfare concern and causes large economic losses. Foot-rot has been estimated to cost the UK sheep industry £24 million
Scald and Foot-rot
Foot-rot is a complex, highly contagious disease caused by a synergistic infection of two anaerobic bacteria, Dichelobacter nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum, and has a characteristic foul-odour, often accompanied with a grey pus.
Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis (CODD)
This is an apparently new disease in which sheep are extremely lame and a large proportion of the flock can be affected. The lesion begins at the coronary band of the hoof and runs downwards towards the toe often resulting in the loss of the whole hoof capsule. The foot is often so badly damaged that the horn does not grow back properly. There is usually hair loss for 2-3cm above the coronary band and there is no inter-digital involvement. The condition is not well understood, but it is believed that different kinds of bacteria may be involved including possibly a spirochaete similar to that which causes digital dermatitis in cattle.
Control depends on purchasing all sheep from known sources and/or health status to reduce the risk of infection, isolation of all purchased sheep for at least 30 days, regular inspection of all purchased sheep during the quarantine period, and the isolation of any sheep found to be lame and prompt treatment with a suitable antibiotic recommended by your veterinary surgeon.
General Measures to help prevent/reduce lameness in your flock:
Reduce high stocking densities- this decreases your chance of damp bedding and infection spread. Ensure there is enough space provided and fresh bedding should be given generously especially if your flock is fed wet diets such as silage or haylage.
Rotational grazing- as bacteria can survive on pasture for up to 12 days in favourable conditions
Ensure roads and handling facilities are well maintained to stop your flock from gaining cracks or cuts in which bacteria can enter through
Dipping- always follow the manufacturers’ instructions.
