ANYONE who has ever kept sheep will know that the list of ills and afflictions that they are subject to seems never ending with each new disease more horrifying than the last! In spite of this, the biggest threat to sheep health is lameness with the consequences effecting fertility, milk yield, predisposition of twin lamb disease, delayed finishing and of course welfare issues.

There are a variety of factors that can cause lameness and since a lot of time and money can be wasted treating the wrong ailment it is important that a correct diagnosis is made Footroot is by far the usual reason for a ewe to be down on her knees and most shepherds keep a tin of antibiotic spray handy to nip the infection in the bud. If you have yet to meet footrot, it usually starts at the back of the foot and moves forwards, running under the horn of the sole and hoof wall, literally rotting the hoof and making walking very painful. There is also a characteristic smell that can be a magnate for flies which can lead to maggot infestation if left untreated.

Vaccination

The footrot bacteria lives in the soil so once it is on the farm you are more or less stuck with it in spite of the "experts" claims that it only lives for ten days. The best you can do is keep outbreaks under control by regular foot bathing with zinc sulphate, using a vaccination programme such as footvax (discuss this with your vet) and getting rid of chronic offenders. Very bad cases should be treated with antibiotic injections. You should also keep the feet properly trimmed as the more over grown the hoof, the more likely foot problems are to develop.

Codd is another unpleasant foot problem and more cases are being seen amongst UK sheep than previously. It is often confused with footrot, but if treated in the same manor, results will be poor. It affects the coronary band which is situated above the hoof, but soon under-runs the hoof wall itself. It is characterised by the involvement of the outside wall of the hoof, rather than the sole as is the case with footrot, a tendency to bleed easily and the lack of a footrot smell.

It's a good idea to get a vet to diagnosed this so that the correct treatment can be given. Traditional footrot treatments such as foot bathing with formalin or zinc sulphate are ineffective and the foot vaccines will not control the condition either. Treatment with antibiotic footbaths or injections can help ease the disease, but results can be patchy.

Scald, although caused by a bacteria found in sheep dung that flourishes in warm, wet weather, is made worse by grazing stock on long, wet grass and thistles that push up between the cleets of the hoof. The disease manifests as a white or pink, oozy sore and sometimes bleeds a little. It responds very quickly to terramycin spray and some shepherds spread lime around gateways and troughs to help control infection.

Foot abscesses are quite common and usually affect one part of the foot. There is a discharge of pus and the skin above the foot often swells. Often there is heat from the affected area. The hoof tissue is usually normal and there is no smell. The animal will be very lame as abscesses are extremely painful. They usually respond well to a course of antibiotics.

Many foot problems are actually brought onto the farm when replacements are purchased so it is important that you quarantine any newcomers before mixing them in with existing flock members. If possible get a health resume from the previous owner so that you know what vaccination programme, (if any), the flock is on. During this period of isolation, check and trim feet and also treat for worms. Any problems usually show up within the first week, but to be on the safe side, isolate for at least two.

These are not the only reasons for lameness in sheep, but are the most likely ones you will encounter. Whatever the cause, you need to take action very quickly as all are very painful conditions and those that are infectious can spread rapidly within a very few days.