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Beef Cattle Foot Rot
Foot rot, also called infectious pododermatitis, foul claw, or
hoof rot, is an acute or chronic infection of cattle characterized by lameness,
swelling, and inflammation of the skin of the coronary band and the skin between
the claws. The disease is seen most commonly in feedlot cattle but may also
occur in cows, calves, and bulls on pasture. Occasionally, an outbreak affecting
80-90% of the cattle in a feedlot will occur. The disease causes economic loss
by reduced body weight, delayed gain, labor, and cost of treatment. Bulls which
are affected with foot rot often will not breed because of pain in the affected
foot.
Foot rot is caused, at least in part, by a bacterium known as
Fusiformis necrophorus.
Trauma and irritations caused by small stones, frozen ground,
mud, urine, and manure predispose cattle to this infection. Because of
occasional explosive outbreaks in feedlots involving a high percentage of the
cattle, it is felt that a virus or other primary cause such a laminitis may
trigger the infection. The disease is seen most commonly in winter and spring
months when mud, urine, and manure are the greatest problem, although it is also
seen in warm, dry summer months.
Clean, well drained lots are important in the prevention of
foot rot. Areas around feeders and waterers should be paved and well drained.
Liberal use of slaked lime in these areas is helpful. Five to ten percent copper
sulfate foot baths in areas where cattle must walk may be helpful. In severe
outbreaks, feeding one mg. of Aureomycin per lb. body weight per head per day
for seven days followed by one half this dosage for another seven days is
useful. Use of Ethylene Diamine Dihydroiodide (EDDI), a tamed iodine, at the
rate of 50 mg. per head-per day is often used as a preventive measure. Early
treatment of affected cases is very important. In untreated cases, the infection
often invades the coffin and pastern joint, resulting in severe chronic lameness
and poor feedlot performance. When this occurs, surgical removal of one entire
claw is usually necessary. Penicillin, streptomycin, and tetracyclines are used
to treat foot rot. Many veterinarians prefer the intravenous use of one grain
per lb. body weight of sulfapyridine in severe cases. The animals may be treated
the second and third day at one half this dosage. This drug cannot be given as
an intramuscular injection.
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