Farmers are being urged to act as sheep face a potential ‘double whammy’ for lameness this autumn, with a hot, dry summer potentially leaving hoof horn harder and more brittle before the current warm and wet conditions create an ideal environment for footrot.
With the breeding season starting, getting on top of lameness is particularly important, as problems at this critical point in the breeding calendar could have costly consequences for flock performance
“The change in environmental conditions can have a significant bearing on the footrot challenge within a flock1,” said MSD Animal Health’s veterinary advisor Dr Kat Baxter-Smith.
“Moisture is an important factor in the survival and spread of Dichelobacter nodosus, so farmers should be particularly vigilant as conditions become wetter. Looking out for early signs of lameness and dealing with cases promptly can help prevent infection from spreading through the flock.
“It is also important to consider the bigger picture. If a flock has a history of footrot, now is the time to review what has and hasn’t worked previously and make sure an appropriate control programme is in place.”
Footrot is an infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Dichelobacter nodosus. It can range from interdigital dermatitis through to more severe disease, where the hoof horn separates from the underlying tissue. Fusobacterium necrophorum, which can be found in sheep faeces and diseased feet, can also contribute to the development and severity of foot lesions.
Research has demonstrated a relationship between rainfall and footrot incidence, with increasing rainfall in the preceding weeks associated with increased disease incidence.
Time to act
While tackling lameness is important at any time of year, the timing is particularly significant as tupping approaches.
“Having lame sheep in the flock as tupping gets underway and during pregnancy can potentially have a much bigger impact than simply the immediate cost of treating individual animals,” said Dr Baxter-Smith.
“A lame ewe or tup may be less able or willing to move and behave normally during mating and pregnancy, which could affect conception rates and also growth unborn lambs. Any delay to conception can have knock-on implications for lambing dates, scanning results and flock productivity.
“Getting on top of lameness therefore makes both good welfare and good financial sense.”
Farmers are encouraged to use the Five Point Plan of treat, cull, vaccinate, quarantine and avoid, as the basis of a comprehensive approach to reducing lameness and controlling footrot within the flock.
Vaccination is an important part of this approach, particularly for flocks with a history of footrot. Footvax stimulates the sheep’s immune response against Dichelobacter nodosus, helping to reduce the impact of footrot when used alongside other management measures.
“Vaccination is not a standalone solution, but it is an important tool within a wider footrot control programme,” said Dr Baxter-Smith.
“Farmers should be identifying and treating lame sheep promptly, reviewing their records to identify repeat offenders and considering culling where appropriate. Quarantine and biosecurity are also important, particularly when introducing sheep to the flock, alongside management practices that help reduce the opportunity for infection to spread.”
Dr Baxter-Smith continued: “Where vaccination is appropriate, timing is also important. Farmers using Footvax ahead of tupping should ensure two doses are administered at least six weeks before tupping, so it is incorporated into the flock health programme well ahead of mating. Vaccinating is also possible during pregnancy, as long as it is four weeks after tupping or before lambing.
“Sound feet are essential for healthy, productive sheep, and with tupping approaching, this is an important window for farmers to make sure lameness is firmly on the agenda. The message is really about being proactive.”
