Foot Rot in Cattle: Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention and its Impact
Foot rot is a common bacterial infection affecting cattle, causing lameness and economic losses in the livestock industry. Understanding the symptoms, treatment options, preventive measures, and the overall impact of foot rot is crucial for effective management and maintaining the well-being of cattle herds.
Our pet animals and mammals are both treasures and fortune for the owners as well as the consumers who benefit from these animals. But if these animals or mammals are unwell or suffering from some disease, the whole well-laid system of cattle rearers goes topsy turvy. Foot Rot in Cattle is a painful and infectious disease for these animals. If unchecked or ignored, it troubles them a lot, resulting in lameness or, ultimately, amputation. Rainy season or damp conditions are fertile ground for this bacteria borne disease. This disease attacks cows, sheep, buffaloes, goats and bullocks with fierce intensity and equal ferocity. Foot Rot in Cattle begins with one hoof, spreading to the other leg/legs as well as other animals in the vicinity.
The soft tissue area between the two toes is the trouble spot for the affected animal. If the skin between the hooves is damaged due to some lesion, laceration or injury, it provides easy access to the disease-causing bacteria to make a home in the affected area. This acutely painful condition disturbs animals’ mobility as well as affects their milk output. In the long run, it slows their fertility, too, which is a dangerous sign for their growth. Experts suggest looking closely if an animal suddenly starts walking slowly or looks in deep pain. It could be leading to the nasty disease, foot rot in cattle.
Reasons for Foot Rot in Cattle
If an animal’s hoof is injured due to poor handling, uneven surface, mud accumulation or getting hurt due to some reason, the caretaker of the animal needs to be extra cautious. The best practice would be to keep these pet animals and their places away from sharp objects or sharp ends to keep them safe and deny this disease to find an opening to spread. Sometimes, due to an oversight, an animal behaving or walking unusually in a herd is difficult to see. If a foul odour is coming from the leg of a mammal, this is a sure pointer towards the disaster in the making. It might be an indication of foot rot in cattle. The reason is that there is a big group of animals, and individual sighting of discomfort can 100 be a difficult proposition. If the surface of their shelter is muddy, damp or full of cow dung, this is a surefire invitation to the disease-causing bacteria to run amok. The damaged skin between the hoofs is like a thin film if observed minutely. It allows these bacteria to spread swiftly to joints, tissues, bones etc. And then, these bacteria start the wave of infection in the affected animal from one leg to another.
No surprises here, if one pet animal is infected, the foot rot in cattle can spread to other animals of the group as this disease is quite contagious. A stitch in time saves nine is meant to prevent ugly diseases like this.
Symptoms
Foot rot in cattle can be understood through the following symptoms. These signs are not very visible or prominent, so one needs to be observant. Since animals cannot speak or write, their caretaker needs to read sign language correctly coming from the affected animal for a while. An animal suddenly starts suffering from or showing signs of loss of appetite, fever, and cellulitis is a precursor to this disease. The important thing here is the walk of an animal. If it shows difficulty or makes lots of effort in walking, you know it has been infected by the bacteria. These symptoms persisting for a long time may lead to arthritis conditions for the affected animal. If the treatment is not started immediately, inflammation might lead to lameness. The skin inside the hoof starts outgrowing itself. Everything is interrelated with each other. Tissue, skin, tendon, and bone: Everything starts affecting every other thing in the neighbourhood. It could be the body of the diseased animal or other animals of the group in the animal shelter.
If one looks closely at the affected foot of the sick animal, one can notice the ulcer spreading in the region, denoting the arrival and confirmation of foot rot in cattle. If timely intervention is not made by the vigilant caretaker, the poor animal suffers great pain and an even darker future.
Treatment of Foot Rot in Cattle
If one detects symptoms of this disease, one should consult a veterinary doctor immediately. For he only knows best which medicine would work fine. Guesswork destroys lots of time and puts the affected animal’s current health and future growth in jeopardy. One redeeming feature of foot rot in cattle is that if treatment is undertaken in the initial stage of the disease, the spread of the infection can be arrested in the pet animal’s body. This infection reacts well to the dosage of antibiotics. Systematic drying up of the floor where cattle live also helps in checking the disease. It always helps to keep the floor dry and clean so as to deny the chance to bacteria to find a home to spread infection. Its only a matter of discipline and regular maintenance of hygiene to keep the pet animals safe from infections. Or else administering penicillin under medical supervision greatly helps the unwell animal. Washing the affected foot with formalin also helps in several cases. Trimming of the affected foot is another way of helping the suffering animal from getting rid of foot rot in cattle. There are several other ways to diagnose the disease, but these are the popular ones applied across the globe in several countries to protect cattle and save the farms from the spread of the infection. If nothing works, amputation is undertaken as a last resort.
Treatment:
- Antibiotics: Systemic or topical antibiotics, such as oxytetracycline, are commonly used.
- Foot Baths: Implement foot baths with antibacterial solutions to reduce bacterial load.
- Hoof Trimming: Trim and clean hooves to remove infected tissue and promote healing.
- Isolation: Separate infected animals to prevent the spread to healthy ones.
- Pain Management: Provide pain relief to improve the welfare of affected cattle.
Prevention Strategies:
- Maintain Clean and Dry Environments:
- Proper drainage and regular cleaning of barns and pens.
- Avoid wet, muddy conditions that facilitate bacterial growth.
- Quarantine and Monitor New Arrivals:
- Quarantine new animals to prevent the introduction of foot rot.
- Monitor for symptoms during the quarantine period.
- Foot Bath Protocols:
- Implement regular foot baths with disinfectants in high-traffic areas.
- Ensure all cattle pass through foot baths during entry or exit.
- Vaccination:
- Consider vaccination against specific strains of Dichelobacter nodosus for added protection.
- Consult with a veterinarian for an appropriate vaccination program.
- Nutritional Support:
- Ensure proper nutrition to maintain strong hoof integrity.
- Adequate levels of trace minerals, such as zinc and copper, support hoof health.
- Prompt Treatment:
- Immediately treat any cattle showing signs of lameness or foot rot.
- Isolate affected animals to prevent the spread of infection.
Long-Term Management:
- Regular Monitoring:
- Conduct routine hoof checks and monitor for signs of lameness.
- Swiftly address any emerging cases to prevent escalation.
- Genetic Selection:
- Select breeding stock with strong hooves and resistance to foot-related issues.
- Contribute to the long-term resilience of the herd.
- Education and Training:
- Educate farm personnel on early detection and proper treatment protocols.
- Training on maintaining hygienic conditions and implementing preventive measures.
Prevention of Foot Rot in Cattle
There are several ways in which foot rot in cattle can be prevented. It begins with removing sharp, pointed, metallic objects away from the places where these animals are kept together so that the animals don’t get cuts, bruises or injuries. If one succeeds in preventing injury to animals’ feet, that is the best way forward. Unwell animals need to be identified quickly and need to be segregated from the group by the caretakers. At all costs, the caretakers need to make sure that these places are not damp, waterlogged or similar conditions. Early detection of this disease helps in stopping the growth of infection. Maintaining proper hygiene is key to the healthy growth of these animals. One needs to keep a sharp eye on the soft tissues of the animal’s foot to find out any injury or damage. Keep clearing cow dung or manure from time to time for healthy air in their shelters. The levels of zinc and vitamins need to be maintained by providing healthy nutrients to their food or fodder. The food loaded with good nutrients for the great tissue and bone health of these animals is best. On a regular basis, a foot bath for these animals is the right way to keep these pet animals in good health. The right drainage system is one of the key aspects of preventing foot rot in cattle.
Overall Impact on Cattle
Foot rot in cattle impacts owners’ income, overall economy and environment in several ways. The impact on ecology can be understood by the fact that when pathogens get safe heaven for growth, this disease spreads and multiplies at an unbelievable rate. Look at the treatment cost closely. The difference between the treatment of one animal and a herd of animals is immense. The products produced by these animals, be it milk, wool, cow dung, cow urine and other such products, get delayed on the marketing front. This disease impacts the weight gain in goats resulting in loss of their weight and ultimately value in the market. Surprisingly, this disease impacts their reproductive abilities defeating the whole purpose of multiplying effect and their overall growth. This means a big loss staring in the faces of dairy owners and others of their milk. In the case of bovines like cows and buffaloes, their milk-producing abilities start reducing at an alarming rate resulting in huge losses in the dairy business. And, no prizes for guessing in that milk production going down impacts the production of butter, curd, ghee and other related products too. In order to prevent heavy economic losses due to foot rot in cattle, the best way to move forward is to be vigilant round the clock.
Foot Rot in Cattle: Climatic Conditions
Sometimes, India has to face a wide array of problems. We have plenty of sunshine, rains, floods, cloudbursts due to the rise in global warming and other natural phenomena. It is a daunting task for the cattle owners to keep hygiene and keep the areas dry where animals are put up in order to check foot rot in cattle. Even with their best efforts in limited resources available, they have to face the full fury of nature. Damp areas in hilly regions with moisture prevalent in the area are hugely susceptible for the growth of these bacteria and, consecutively, growth of infection. Even while facing the wrath of nature from time to time, the farmers and people in the dairy and cattle business need to not let their guards down in all conditions. Special care and emphasis should be on clearing the cow dung and manure from time to time to keep the whole area clear of flies, dampness and wet surface. There is a famous saying, a healthy mind lives in a healthy body. This saying, if applied to the cattle, tells it beautifully. The cattle and bovines would remain healthy in a healthy atmosphere and surroundings only. One slip, one miss and the whole group of cattle would be at great risk of contracting foot rot in cattle.
Effect on India as the Largest Milk Producer of the World
India is the largest milk producer on the globe right now. We have a massive number of milk-producing animals in our country. We are duty-bound to keep our pet animals safe from the disease of foot rot in cattle. The trick is not only for us to be aware of this disease but to keep others in the trade also well informed of the harmful impact of this disease and several others. If we don’t buckle up strongly and with the right measures in no time, our cattle and pet animals will start performing badly. Thanks to companies like Swadeshi VIP, who have taken this view as a mission to bring awareness to our farmers and milk producers alike. But more needs to be done for the proper dissemination of information related to the well being of cows and other pet animals. Then only our intentions would reach their proper targets. To stay hygienic should be the loud call, and everybody should adhere to it. Being a little more thoughtful, futuristic and stickler of healthy practices always helps in the long run. We need more efforts and initiatives on war footing to fight foot rot in cattle if we don’t wish our competitors to catch up with us.
Conclusion
Foot rot in cattle poses a significant challenge to livestock health and farm profitability. Diligent management practices, including proper hygiene, early detection, prompt treatment, and preventive measures, are essential for minimizing the impact of foot rot. By adopting a comprehensive approach to foot health, cattle farmers can enhance the well-being of their herds and mitigate economic losses associated with this prevalent bacterial infection. Regular consultation with a veterinarian and adherence to best management practices contribute to the overall success of a proactive foot rot control program.
The central government and several states are making all efforts to inform people about their various schemes and plans for the animal husbandry department and cattle, in particular. Several co-operative societies too are in the business to inform and involve farmers in their movement for the well being of the cattle. Foot rot in cattle is a menace that needs to be countered in with well-grounded plans to take people into confidence about the holistic approach towards their cattle.
Compiled & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
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Reference-On Request
