Footrot has two stages: interdigital dermatitis (also known as scald or strip) and severe footrot.
Scald Severe footrot
The information and videos below will tell you more about how to diagnose and treat these two stages.
Diagnosis
Scald:
- Red or pink skin with a white or grey scum between the toes.
- Strong smell.
- See more pictures of scald.
Severe footrot:
- Separation of hoof horn from tissue underneath.
- Grey oozing pus with a distinctive foul smell.
- See more pictures of severe foorot.
Treatment
Scald
- Treat adults with a long-acting antibiotic injection and antibiotic spray on all four feet; ensure you give the correct dose of antibiotic for the weight of the sheep.
- Treat lambs with antibiotic spray on all four feet. Where levels of scald are high (e.g. in spring) footbath the whole group.
- Do not trim horn – trimming delays healing.
Severe footrot
- Treat all cases with long-acting antibiotic injection and antibiotic spray on all four feet; ensure you give the correct dose of antibiotic for the weight of the sheep.
- Do not trim horn
See the six steps to sound sheep for a simple guide to treating lameness in your flock
What to do next:
See more information on footrot
Take the quiz on footrot
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