This document discusses hoof health in sheep and goats. It notes that hoof care is important for animal performance, disease resistance, and welfare. Hooves should be regularly checked for excess growth or disease, and animals with chronic issues should be culled. Common hoof diseases include foot scald, foot abscess, and footrot, which are typically bacterial in nature. The document provides details on prevention, treatment, and management of hoof diseases through practices like regular hoof trimming, foot bathing, and separation of infected and healthy animals. A 4-week protocol is described for eliminating footrot from flocks through these practices.

1. Hoof health and management February 2012
RICHARD BRZOZOWKSI SUSAN SCHOENIAN
Extension Educator, Agriculture Sheep & Goat Specialist
University of Maine University of Maryland Extension
richardbrzozowski@maine.edu sschoen@umd.edu
www.extension.maine.edu/sheep www.sheepandgoat.com
Hoof care is an important
aspect of sheep and goat
management.
Hoof health can affect an
animal’s performance,
disease resistance, and
welfare.
Hooves should be regularly
checked for disease and
h k d f di d
excess growth.
Animals with excessive or
abnormal hoof growth
and/or chronic hoof disease CULLING IS THE MOST POWERFUL TOOL!
should be culled.
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2. Hoof health and management February 2012
To prevent lameness.
To allow air to reach the
hoof to eliminate the
bacteria that cause
infection.
To create a flat sole
surface, removing trapped
mud and feces and
d d f d
reducing the possibility of
infection.
To promote proper hoof
growth in young animals.
Factors affecting the
need for hoof trimming:
Animal ‐ genetics
Breed
Individual
Color of hoof
Structure/shape of hoof
Environment
Soil moisture and
characteristics (terrain)
Season and rainfall
Housing
Diet
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3. Hoof health and management February 2012
1. Hoof shears (trimmers) YOU CAN’T DO A THOROUGH JOB OF
Manual HOOF TRIMMING WITHOUT A KNIFE.
▪ Smooth vs. serrated
▪ Rotating handle
Air‐compression driven
[large flocks]
2. Hoof knife
Straight vs. curved
3. Brush
[for cleaning hoof]
4. Tight fitting (nitrile) gloves
(for safety and comfort)
Tip animal onto
its rump
Use deck chair
Use tilt table
or “squeeze”
Manual
▪ Half‐tilt
▪ Full‐tilt
Automatic
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4. Hoof health and management February 2012
While goat is
standing against
t di i t
a fence or on a
stand or work
platform.
On its side
or rump
Tilt table or
l bl
“squeeze”
Manual
▪ Half‐tilt
▪ Full‐tilt
Automatic
ot ast 6 8 ee s o
Not last 6‐8 weeks of
gestation.
In conjunction with
other management
tasks. [e.g. shearing]
2 to 3 weeks before
a show or exposition.
When hooves are soft.
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5. Hoof health and management February 2012
Clean hoof with brush.
Trim excess growth
Trim to pad (sole)
Trim axial surface
Don’t cut tip PRACTICE MAKES “PERFECT.”
Potential entry for infection
Try not to draw blood.
Potential entry for infection
Disinfect tools
between animals
COMMON
Foot scald (esp. goats)
BACTERIAL
Foot abscess
Footrot (esp. sheep)
LESS COMMON
Laminitis (founder)
Bluetongue
VIRAL
Soremouth (orf)
Foot‐and‐mouth disease
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6. Hoof health and management February 2012
g ,
Gram‐negative, anaerobic
CAUSES FOOT SCALD bacteria that live in the
(AKA INTERDIGITAL DERMATITIS)
digestive tracts and feces
of animals.
Interacts with other
bacteria to cause
foot abscesses.
BACTERIA FOUND ON EVERY FARM WHERE Works in conjunction
THERE ARE SHEEP, GOATS, OR CATTLE.
with D. Nodosus to cause
footrot.
An inflammation and
SKIN BETWEEN TOES IS redness between the
RAW AND INFLAMED. toes (claws) of the hoof.
No (or minimal
involvement) of
the hoof.
A precursor to footrot
A f
and foot abscesses.
NOT CONTAGIOUS ‐ ENVIRONMENTAL
Outbreaks occur during
periods of wet weather.
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7. Hoof health and management February 2012
HEEL OR TOE Occurs when Actinomyces
bacteria invade tissue that
is already weakened by an
interdigital infection.
Causes lameness, pain,
swelling, and heat.
Affects mostly mature
and heavy animals.
ACTINOMYCES IS A COMMON Usually only one hoof or
BACTERIA ON FARMS. digit is affected.
Gram‐negative, anaerobic bacteria
CAUSES FOOTROT that live in the feet of infected
animals.
Release protease enzymes which
digest connective tissue between
the horn and flesh of the hoof.
Survival of D. Nodosus
Does not infect healthy hooves
Survives up to three years in
chronically‐infected hooves.
20 DIFFERENT STRAINS OF BACTERIA Survives up to 14 days on soil,
in feces, and on pasture
THAT VARY IN VIRULENCE.
Survives up to 6 weeks in hoof
horn clippings.
Other surfaces: not known
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8. Hoof health and management February 2012
Involves a separation of the
horny portions of the hoof
UNDERMINING OF HOOF from the underlying
sensitive areas.
Characterized by a putrid
odor.
Both claws of hoof are
usually affected.
HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS
More than one hoof is
usually involved.
Starts with an irritation of
interdigital tissue caused by
moisture or trauma which allows
i t t hi h ll
entry of F. necrophorum.
Other disease‐causing
bacteria invade tissue already
weakened by interdigital
dermatitis.
Predisposing factors to hoof
disease:
Warmth (>45°F) + moisture
Overgrown hooves
Abnormal hoof growth
Infection or exposure does not
result in immunity.
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9. Hoof health and management February 2012
Moisture / trauma
Softening, damage to skin between toes
Invasion by Fusobacterium necrophorum
INTERDIGITAL DERMATITIS OR FOOT SCALD
Invasion by Invasion by
Actinomyces pyogenes Dichelorbacter nodosus
FOOT ABSCESS FOOTROT
Source: Guide to Footrot in Sheep, Alberta Sheep & Wool Commission
Primary
In the hooves of newly
I th h f l
acquired animals.
Secondary
On contaminated
equipment.
In contaminated bedding
at sales, fairs, and during
at sales fairs and during
transport.
On pasture and in barn
lots.
On footwear. FOOTROT USUALLY “WALKS ON TO”
From service personnel A FARM IN THE HOOVES OF AN
INFECTED OR CARRIER ANIMAL.
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10. Hoof health and management February 2012
Have a written biosecurity
plan and follow it.
Do not buy animals from
flocks or herds with a
history of foot diseases or
noticeable lameness.
All newly‐acquired animals
y q
should be suspected of
having footrot and be
quarantined for a minimum
of 3 weeks.
FOOTROT PUTS PEOPLE OUT OF BUSINESS!
Observe all new
animals for lameness.
i l f l
Carefully inspect
the hoof of each
animal.
Closely trim hooves.
Spray each foot with a
solution of 20% zinc
sulfate.
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11. Hoof health and management February 2012
Re‐trim hooves (if
necessary) and
) d
thoroughly examine all
hooves for signs of
infection.
If there is any evidence
of footrot infection, all
animals in the group
should be foot bathed
in a 10% solution of
zinc sulfate.
Goal: eliminate the effects
of footrot in sheep
flocks in the Northeast.
1. Education
▪ Cooperating flocks
▪ 4 week protocol for
eliminating foot rot
▪ Web site:
extension.umaine/sheep/
2. Research
▪ Scoring
▪ DNA testing Dr. Richard Brzozowksi
University of Maine Extension
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12. Hoof health and management February 2012
Trim, inspect, and
score feet of every
f t f
sheep and/or goat on
the farm.
Separate into 2 groups
1. Healthy,
infection free
infection‐free
2. Infected (recovering)
Consider culling
infected animals at
this point.
Health (scale of 1‐5)
1.
1 No sign of infection
2. Inflammation of digital skin,
possible odor
3. Odor, undermining/
separation, lameness
4. Excessive undermining two
or more feet infected, odor
5. Chronic carrier
Structure
St t
Pockets
Other abnormal growth
Hoof color “Pocket”
white, mottled, black, brown, gray
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13. Hoof health and management February 2012
Foot bath all animals
Protocol for foot bathing
Mix 8.5 pounds of zinc sulfate in
10 gallons of water + 1 cup of
laundry detergent (wetting
agent).
Create a “soak” pad in bottom of
footbath (wool or sawdust) to
( )
prevent splashing and loss of
solution.
Animals should stand in foot bath
for at least 3 to 5 minutes
(preferably longer).
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14. Hoof health and management February 2012
After soaking, put
animals in drying area:
Well‐bedded barn area
Dry, hard surface
▪ Clean concrete pad
▪ Wooden floor
After drying, put groups
into separate pastures or
barn areas where sheep
and/or goats have not
been for at least two
weeks.
p g
Repeat foot bathing
and drying protocol.
Observe animals and
check for any limpers.
Check and trim feet of
limpers in healthy group
and move to infected
group.
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15. Hoof health and management February 2012
Inspect all animals
Check and trim hooves
(if necessary).
Score hooves
Move infected animals that
have recovered to healthy
group and vice versa.
Repeat foot bathing and
drying protocol.
Move groups to separate
pastures where sheep and/or
goats have not been for at least
2 weeks.
p g
Repeat foot bathing
and drying protocol.
Observe animals and
check for any limpers.
Check and trim feet
of limpers in healthy
group and move to
infected group.
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16. Hoof health and management February 2012
p p
Inspect all sheep
and goats
Score each hoof
Repeat foot
R f
bathing and
drying protocol.
4 ,
After 4 weeks, Cull carriers!
all animals except
“carriers” should
have been able
to heal.
Cull any animal
that is still
infected.
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17. Hoof health and management February 2012
TRIM TREAT ISOLATE CULL
Day 0
plus
4-p s Day 7
Day 14
Day 21
Day 28
F o o t r o t e r a d i c a t e d !
Antibiotic injections
Penicillin
Tetracyclines
Antibiotic sprays
Topical treatment with
Koppertox® or 7% iodine
Dry chemicals
Absorptive pads
Vaccination [prevent + treat]
Zinc supplementation CONTROL AND/OR ERADICATION OF
Genetic selection FOOTROT USUALLY REQUIRES A
COMBINATION OF PRACTICES.
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18. Hoof health and management February 2012
CONVENTIONAL SELECTION MARKER‐BASED SELECTION
USING FOOTROT LESION SCORING USING DNA TESTING
Resistance to footrot is Genetic markers have been
found which can identify if a
heritable. sheep is resistant to footrot.
Low to moderate heritability
A blood test for resistance
0.02 to 0.40 (UK) is currently available (NZ)
0.30 to 0.40 (NZ) To be effective the same
strains of D. nodosus must
Low repeatability
p y be causing footrot.
be causing footrot
At least two footrot scores
are recommended (UK) A rapid test to identify D.
nodosus strains is being
Creation of EPDs/EBVs commercialized.
Does not require exposure
to disease.
Any questions? Thank you for your attention.
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