Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Canine distemper wikipedia , lookup
Canine parvovirus wikipedia , lookup
Schistosomiasis wikipedia , lookup
Immunocontraception wikipedia , lookup
Foot-and-mouth disease wikipedia , lookup
Leptospirosis wikipedia , lookup
Brucellosis wikipedia , lookup
African trypanosomiasis wikipedia , lookup
Break free from the pain of footrot Sheep farmers can break free from the physical and financial effects of the footrot cycle by implementing a whole-flock vaccination programme. Footrot is the most common cause of lameness amongst sheep and is one of the most important health and welfare issues facing British sheep farmers. The disease, which can result in reduced mobility, impaired fertility and reduced growth rates in lambs, is caused by two different bacterial infections: Fusobacterium necrophorum, which infects the hoof space, and Dichelobacter nodosus, which causes subsequent infection in the foot itself. Once footrot enters the flock, both animals and financial margins are likely to suffer. This is because sheep will lose body condition and rams can fail to perform properly. These factors subsequently result in lower lambing percentages and higher mortality rates in lambs, which will generally be much smaller at birth due to their mother’s suffering. Ultimately, farm profits will be hit, not only by the loss of lambs and lower finishing weights, but also because of the additional costs associated with treating diseased animals. These costs include the administration of antibiotics and the time consuming process of walking sheep through expensive footbath products. However, Footvax – the only footrot vaccine that is currently licensed in the UK – can help to prevent the onset of footrot within the flock. The vaccine can be used at any time of the year and provides effective treatment and protection against the 10 strains of bacteria that cause the disease. Footrot is mainly spread from sheep to sheep and it is therefore good practice to vaccinate the whole flock before footrot levels increase. This allows sheep to build up an immunity to the bacteria that cause infection. There is a popular misconception that vaccination against footrot should only take place during periods of dry weather. In reality, however, the vaccine can be used to provide effective treatment and protection at any time of the year to tie in with disease problem periods. It therefore makes sense to take action as soon as possible in order to reduce lameness and improve animal welfare. Prompt action will also reduce the financial implications of the disease, as well as the time and labour inputs associated with treating lame animals.