The causes of lameness in sheep, its management and implications for production was one of the topics discussed at the Teagasc National Sheep Conference in Co. Galway.
At the event held in Ballinasloe on June 18, attendees heard how Teagasc researchers conducted two trials to determine the scale of the challenge and the best approaches to treating lameness.
The first trial looked at a national survey of infectious lameness management and herd prevalence, as well as the treatment used and recognition of the pest.
The second trial was a production impact study conducted on eight BETTER (Business, Environment and Technology through Extension, Training and Research) farms across Ireland.
The researchers looked at types of lameness and data for ewes and lambs to determine if there was any significant association.
Infectious claudication
The first trial found that among 400 farmers surveyed, the national prevalence was 6%, with scald being the largest reported burden.
Significantly, 49% of farmers reported CODD in sheep.
Tejasek advised farmers that burns are a bacterial infection that relies on entering sheep through tiny abrasions (small wounds), causing skin redness, inflammation, and white discharge.
It spreads quickly and can cause severe lameness, affecting all feet of lambs. About 95% of farms affected by lameness reported burns.
Footroot. Image source: Teagasc
Footrot was reported to be present on 90% of the farms studied. It is another bacterial infection that can be identified by a white/yellowish discharge, a foul odor, and a “cheesy” sole.
Footrot is often preceded or affected by burnout.
CODD is another serious challenge, according to Teagasc, and can often be misidentified as severe foot damage.
In affected animals, the hoof capsule appears “pushed” from the top (coronal band) to the bottom. The infection progresses until the hoof capsule eventually becomes loose or separates.
Growers are advised that a foot bath is ineffective in treating CODD.
Production impact
Trials found significant variation between farms experiencing a negative body condition score (BCS) impact from lameness events, with higher lameness trending toward greater negative impacts.
Both mating and mid-gestation BCS were negatively affected by lameness. Approximately 22% of lame ewes reported a BCS of less than 3 at breeding, compared to 15% of non-lame ewes.
During mid-gestation, the proportion of lame ewes with a BCS of less than 3 rose to 26% compared to 19% in non-lame sheep.
Teagasc research suggests that lame lambs can experience a reduction in growth rates of up to 10g/day or up to 1kg at weaning.
When spreads are tight, this can lead to a significant decline in… Profitability.
Dilution
A foot bath is very effective in combating lameness if done correctly, according to Tejcek.
Ensuring standing time is crucial. A foot bath can be combined with antibiotics to improve healing rates and recovery time.
Teagasc consultants warn that excessive trimming is often an unconsidered trigger for lameness.
Nearly 53% of survey respondents reported trimming the hooves of sheep with foot disease.
However, routine pruning can increase recovery time, increase spread, risk of secondary infection, and spread of disease.
Studies estimate that the cure rate for foot fungus using antibiotic injections and sprays is about 70%.
This drops to approximately 10% when foot trimming is used with antibiotic sprays.
Consultants emphasized that timing is crucial, noting that there is a high potential for increased prevalence of lameness when treatment is delayed by a week or more.
Isolation or quarantine provides the best method of prevention.
Nearly half of the herds reported purchasing females for breeding, but one in five herds had not sequestered.
According to Teagasc, prevention is the best cure, especially for diseases like CODD that can spread quickly within herds.
For further information or advice, farmers should contact their local veterinary practices or regional Teagasc advisors.
