Contagious foot rot is a crippling infection, commonly caused by bacteria that live in the soil and are easily carried onto a farm on the feet of infected animals or on shoe soles. Two types of bacteria are commonly associated with this condition, Dichelobacter nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum. Both thrive in moist soil conditions and are very difficult to control or eliminate once the soil is contaminated.
Symptoms: Foot rot is a more aggressive progression of foot scald, an inflammation between the toes that usually affects one foot. The common lesion seen is a moist, raw infection of the skin between the toes that becomes painful.
Foot rot can occur in one or more feet, causing severe lameness. Typically animals are seen grazing on their knees. It occurs when both bacteria cause a dual infection of the tissues of the foot. The foot will become very pink to almost red; the skin between the toes will be slimy and foul smelling. If not treated early, the bacterial toxins break down the hoof wall and sole of the foot, resulting in the hoof wall loosening and detaching from the foot.
Treatment: Current research suggests that systemic treatment with antibiotics with or without trimming of the hoof is most effective. Trimming of the claws is recommended to remove excess tissue that provides a place for the bacteria to thrive. Both conditions are treatable but may take time and can be expensive and labor intensive. Treatments of choice are correct trimming of the hoof and removing all infected sole that has separated from the underlying tissues. Applying Koppertox® (not legal anymore) or having animals stand in medicated foot baths (10% copper or zinc sulfate) are other commonly recommended treatments. It may be necessary to repeat treatments, depending on severity. Consult with a veterinarian or Extension specialist if more aggressive treatment is needed.
Control = Prevention: This is key.
- Keep all new animals separate and hooves trimmed and inspected before introduction into the farm herd after 20 to 30 days quarantine.
- All show animals or animals that have left the farm and possibly been exposed to contaminated soil should be quarantined.
- Avoid buying animals from the sale barn, where most animals that have failed treatment are taken.
- Provide good drainage to all areas in pastures and paddocks where water tends to pool. This is where the bacteria often collect.
- Keep barns dry and clean.
- Practice good hoof care and management. Check the feet each time you work the herd.
For further information on hoof care and foot rot prevention, see Goat Hoof Care and Foot Rot Prevention.
View proper hoof trimming at Goat Instructional Videos.
