What is the contagious foot rot in sheep and goats?

What causes contagious foot rot in sheep and goats?

Is contagious foot rot a painful condition?

How can farmers prevent the spread of contagious foot rot?

Answer:

Contagious foot rot in sheep and goats is a painful bacterial infection that causes lameness and often requires antibiotics and other treatments.

Contagious foot rot in sheep and goats is a severe and painful condition typically caused by bacteria, specifically two kinds: Fusobacterium necrophorum and Dichelobacter nodosus. These bacteria thrive and proliferate in conditions where the skin of the hoof has been softened and damaged by damp, dirty surroundings. The infection results in lameness and can have significant effects on the wellbeing of the animal.

The infection starts with inflammation between the toes resulting in a foul-smelling fluid. This builds up and separates the horn from the underlying tissue, causing extreme pain and lameness. The infection can then become transmissible and spread when animals are in close contact, specifically within damp, muddy environments.

To manage this condition, it's essential for a farmer to regularly check the feet of their sheep and goats, practice good animal hygiene, and separate infected animals before they can spread the infection to others. Also, proper treatment includes trimming of hoof, antibiotics, and footbaths with disinfectant.