FOOT ROT IN SHEEP : PREVENTION & CONTROL
Foot Rot is an infectious and contagious disease of Sheep that causes severe economic loss with decreased productivity. Treatment costs, decreased flock productivity, losses from sales of breeding stock, etc., make this disease an economic hardship for shepherds. Foot rot is a costly disease.
It is caused by Bacteroides nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum. Fusobacterium necrophorum is a normal inhabitant of the digestive tract and in wet weather may interact with another bacteria- Corynebacterium pyogenes, to produce foot scald. This infection sets up the foot for invasion by Bacteroides nodosus, which, working in conjunction with the Fusobacterium, produces the condition called as foot rot.
Lameness is the major sign of foot Rot. The area between the toes first becomes moist and reddened and causes separation of the horny tissues. The infection causes a characteristic foul odor .It is seen in one or more feet at the same time.
Infected sheep spreads infection to the ground, manure, bedding, etc., where it is then picked up by healthy sheep. Hence, with careful management, foot rot can be eliminated from flock and can be cured if infected.
Carriers in the flock will continue to re-infect the flock unless the animal is either culled or the organism is eliminated by proper treatment.
It is always easier and less expensive to prevent foot Rot than to treat. The control of foot Rot is based on following management practices that decrease predisposing factors, and on the treatment of infected and susceptible sheep.
- Foot trimming
- Footbaths / Foot soaks
- Injection of antibiotics
- Topical medication
- Culling ( If not responding to treatment, and not to keep a carrier in the flock)
Foot Rot can be eradicated by using with commitment combinations of above five procedures. Foot baths is not a practical measure in open grazing system .
• foot trimming is to be done
• As topical medication : Use Creosote oil daily twice for 7 days as an external application
• Inj.Ceftiofur sodium +Tazobactam @1.1 mg per Kg bwt for 7 -14 days
• Inj.Anti inflammatory & Anti Histamines ( as required )
• The top 12 inch layer of shed flooring is to be removed. A new layer of gravel with 6 inch thickness shall be placed after sprinkling dry lime powder. This is to prevent infection of Bacteroides nodosus from soil and bedding.
• Night shelter of ailing is shifted every day to a new place .
• Culling ( If not responding to treatment, and not to keep a carrier Sheep in the flock)
No of sheep on which trials are made are 6 .No of sheep completely cured are 5 .ne is culled.
Compiled by :
Dr.Ashok Kumar Valupadasu
Asst.Director (V&AHD) Telangana
8500404016 / grass2meat@gmail.com
