Tread LIGHTLY

Understand foot rot in sheep and goats.

- BY ANNA O'BRIEN, D.V.M.

If you own sheep or goats or are even just thinking about dabbling in the wide world of small ruminants, you've likely encountered the term “foot rot.” This is because foot rot is one of the most common and debilitating diseases that affects sheep and goats, impacting animal welfare and your bottom dollar. Understanding the causes of this troublesome hoof disease as well as how to treat and prevent it go a long way in helping you manage and mitigate the impact of this disease in your flock.

WHAT IS FOOT ROT?

Foot rot is a disease of the hoof caused by a bacterial infection from the environment. It’s highly contagious and can impact an entire flock. However, to really understand how the disease impacts your animals, we have to dig a bit deeper.

Foot rot is interesting in that it requires a combination of two concurrent bacterial infections working together to result in tissue damage. The first bacterial species involved is called Fusobacterium necrophorum. F. necrophorum is part of the normal gut flora in the large intestines of sheep and goats. It therefore is also commonly found in manure and soil where it typically doesn’t cause a problem. However, when conditions are right — meaning excessively damp and usually cold weather — the skin above and between the hooves can become irritated. This can allow F. necrophorum access to the foot.

Alone, F. necrophorum can cause a relatively minor foot condition called “foot scald.” This is characterized by red, irritated skin, typically between the two hoof claws in an area called the interdigital space. On its own, F. necrophorum doesn't infect the hoof itself, but it sets the stage for foot rot.