Fact Sheet Written by:
John G. Kirkpatrick, DVM, Associate professor Medicine and Surgery
David Lalman, PhD, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist
And Provided by
Oklahoma State University
Foot rot is a subacute or acute necrotic (decaying) infectious
disease of cattle, causing swelling and lameness in one or more feet. The disease can become chronic, with a poorer prognosis for recovery if treatment is delayed, which results in deeper structures of the toe becoming affected. Weight gain is significantly reduced when grazing cattle contract the disease. In one three-year study, Brazle (1993) reported that affected steers gained 2.3 lbs. per day, while steers not affected gained 2.76 lbs. per day. Foot rot is usually sporatic in occurrence, but the disease incidence may increase up to 25% in high-intensity beef or dairy production units. Approximately 20% of all diagnosed lameness in cattle is actually foot rot.
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