FOOT ROT

Untitled Slide

• Foot rot, or infectious pododermatitis, is a hoof infection commonly found in sheep, goats, and cattle.
• The infection rots away the hoof of the animal, primarily targeted between the two toes of the animal.
• It causes extreme pain for the animal and is highly contagious.

WHAT CAUSES IT

• Normally, there is an injury to the skin between the hooves that allows the bacteria to infect the animal.
• Another cause of foot rot may be high temperatures or humidity.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

• Seperate the animal from the herd as soon as possible.
• Clean the foot thoroughly to identify the source of infection.
• Use an antibacterial medication/ointment to get rid of infection.
• Keep the animal in a dry environment to prevent growth of bacteria.
• Can be better prevented by adding zinc to the animals diet, along with regular footbathing.

SYMPTOMS

• The first sign of infection is swelling of the skin between the claws of the hoof.
• The swelling is painful and may cause the animal to limp, or refuse to move.
• Tendons and joints in the area may also become infected.