What is Footrot Disease?

About Footrot Disease:

• It is a highly contagious disease affecting the interdigital (between the toes) tissue of ruminants.
• It is one of the most common causes of lameness in cattle and sheep and can result in serious economic loss.
• Once present in a herd/flock, footrot can be very difficult to control.
• Causative Agent: It is caused by the Dichelobacter nodosus bacteria in association with a number of other bacteria.
• Transmission:
  • Feet infected with D. nodosus serves as the source of infection for other cattle by contaminating the environment.
  • Infectious agents gain entry through the skin as a consequence of injury caused by sharp pieces of stone, metal, wood, stubble, or thorns.
• Footrot tends to be seasonal, with the highest incidence occurring during the wet seasons.
• Symptoms: Expression of virulent footrot disease includes:
  • chronic and severe lesions
  • lameness
  • loss of production
  • death, in severe cases.
• Treatment:
  • The interdigital tissue should be cleaned, debrided, and disinfected.
  • One antibiotic treatment is usually adequate if administered on the first day of the disease.
  • Recovery is generally observed in three to four days.