Lameness in Sheep Flocks
Lameness not only affects the health and welfare of individual sheep but also has economic consequences for farmers. Lame sheep are less productive because they eat less, lose weight, or have lower fertility rates. In severe cases, chronic lameness can lead to culling or death.
The environmental factors that can encourage lameness are wet and muddy conditions.
Foot rot
A bacterial infection that starts with inflammation between the toes and can spread to the hoof, causing a foul smell and severe lameness. It thrives in wet and muddy conditions.
Scald (Interdigital Dermatitis)
Shelly Hoof
When the outer layer of the hoof wall separates, trapping dirt and stones, which causes pain and limping.
Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis (CODD)
A more aggressive infection that starts at the coronary band (top of the hoof) and causes severe damage, sometimes even leading to the loss of the hoof.
How to reduce lameness
Management and Control:
To reduce lameness, farmers focus on prevention and treatment strategies, by following the 5 point plan.
Vaccinate
Vaccines against foot rot can reduce the incidence and severity of infections. It is best practice to discuss with your vet to establish a vaccination plan that best suits your flock and system.
Treat
The first point of call with treating is to diagnose the disease. This will allow for more effective treatment. Foot bathing with zinc or copper sulphate footbaths can reduce the spread of bacteria and infections.
Avoid
The bacteria (such as Dichelobacter nodosus which causes footrot) is contagious and spreads from foot to foot from the ground, and this transmission is seen more often in damp and warm conditions. It is vital that sheep do not gather in the same place too often, such as around mineral buckets and troughs. It is best policy that these are moved regularly to reduce the build up of bacteria in these areas. Treat high traffic areas with hydrated lime- this will kill any bacteria and infection.
Quarantine
Newly purchased stock is the largest risk of bringing different strains of foot rot and CODD into the flock. Any incoming animals that are coming onto the farm, be it newly purchased sheep or ones that are coming back from winter keep, it is vital to separate them from the rest of the flock for a period of 28 days. It may be a suggestion to footbath on arrival back and inspect for any visible signs before they become lame.
Cull
’Culling’ refers to the process of selectively removing ewes or rams from the flock based on certain criteria. Ewes and rams may be culled for various reasons, health issues being one of them.