Identify cause of lameness

Field with lambs

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Best practice to control footrot
and scald in sheep

Identify cause of lameness

Catch and identify

Catch

The first lame sheep in a group, even if mildy lame (short stride and nodding / flicking their head) ideally immediately, but definitely within 3 days.
Aim to inspect 1/3 flock each day and treat any lame sheep

Identify

Make sure you can identify the cause of lameness (see below for common causes), contact your vet for help if in doubt
Do NOT trim sheep with scald or footrot or CODD, these can be diagnosed by smell, trimming delays healing
Only trim if necessary to diagnose the problem

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'Six common causes of lameness'

Six common causes of lameness

Scald

Red, wet interdigital space
May be white/grey pasty scum
Loss of hair in interdigital space

Footrot

Separation of horn from the underlying live tissue
Starts between claws
Foul smelling greyish oozing pus

CODD
(Contagious ovine digital dermatitis)

Loss of hair above coronary band (hair line)
Separation of horn from coronary band
Blood with some grey scum, no significant smell
May be complete detachment of hoof horn

Shelley Hoof (white line degeneration)

Some separation of horn from the wall
A pocket impacted with soil
Half-moon appearance

Foot Abscess

Sheep is very lame
Swelling of skin or pus oozing above coronary band
Hoof horn normal but hot
Separation of white line or penetration with
stone/thorn may be visible

Toe granuloma

Strawberry-like growth at the toe
Sometimes hidden under overgrown horn
Bleeds when handled