12 Nov 2024        11:14:54 am

Science

Footrot Disease

Tags : Footrot Disease

Topic: Diseases

Why in the news?

• The footrot disease is killing the sheep and goats of Gaddi shepherds in Himachal Pradesh. The shepherds have reportedly lost about 20 percent of the flock of their sheep to the disease and suffered heavy financial losses.
• The disease has continuously hit the animals of the Gaddi shepherds in the past many years but no solution to the problem has been found. A proposal of scientists of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, to develop a vaccine for the disease has not been approved for the past four years.

Source: The Hindu 

About Footrot Disease:

• It is an infectious disease of animals characterized by inflammation, necrosis and ulceration of the interdigital space, coronary bands and posterior limbs resulting in lameness.
• It is caused by Spherophorous necrophorus. 
• It is a normal inhabitant of the ruminant digestive tract.
• The disease is influenced by factors which help in the breakdown of skin such as continuous wet and muddy condition or rough ground.
• Damage by the tick or penetration of skin by Strongyloides papilosa larvae have been identified as conducive agents for transmission.
• Warm wet environment (20-25˙C), Soil, Manure, Beddings act as source of infection.
• Symptoms:
  • Lameness is the cardinal sign.
  • Moist and reddened interdigital cleft
  • The skin of the interdigital space shows ulcerative changes.
  • Separation of the horny tissues and characteristic foul odour.
  • Affected animals may kick on the ground and disincline to move or try to move on two legs due to pain.
  • Infect one or more feet at the same time.
  • Elevation of body temperature, anorexia and loss of body weight.
• Control measures:  
  • Animals should be placed on dry, smooth surfaces in indoor condition.
  • Infected animals should be separated from the rest.
  • Foot bath should be given. Zinc sulphate (10% solution) or copper sulphate (10%solution) may be used for footbaths.
  • Foot trimming should be done at least two times per year.

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