Footrot is an infectious disease in cattle that is characterized by lameness, and the inflammation of soft tissues between the hooves (interdigital space). Among the several synonyms for the disease are interdigital necrobacillosis, foul foot, and necrotic pododermatitis. Footrot is caused by soilborne bacteria Fusobacterium necrophorum and Bacteroides melaninogenicus that gain entrance to the interdigital tissues after injury to the skin. The predisposing injury to the skin is usually caused by trauma from stepping on stones, straw or hardened mud, or continuously standing in a wet muddy environment, which may soften and macerate the skin. Occasionally footrot occurs when no obvious interdigital trauma can be found.
Clinical Signs
In the acute phase there is usually a sudden onset of mild to severe lameness in one or more limbs. The interdigital soft tissues are swollen and painful, and frequently cause the claws to spread apart. In more severe cases the swelling spreads up the leg to involve the coronet, pastern and fetlock regions. In early stages there is a fever (103° to 106°F) and a loss of appetite. As the disease becomes more chronic, the interdigital space becomes fissured and imparts a foul odor. In protracted cases the infection will frequently involve the pastern and fetlock joints to produce a septic arthritis (pus in the joints).
Epidemiology
Infectious footrot is a common foot lameness in cattle. It occurs year round but the prevalence is higher in the wet seasons. All breeds and all ages of cattle can be affected, although the youngest (3 to 24 months of age) are most susceptible.
The disease is most often a sporadic problem that will affect only I or 2 animals in any population. However, it can occasionally reach epidemic proportions of 10 to 15 percent. The disease is not fatal, but animals may be culled because of severe lameness particularly in chronic cases that have involved the joints.
Treatment
Systemic sulfonamides and/or antibiotics usually promote rapid healing in early acute cases. Long acting oxytetracycline (9 mg/lb.) intramuscularly or procaine penicillin (20,000 IU/Ib/day intramuscularly) are effective treatments. Sulfa drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (25 mg/lb. initially then 12.5 mg/lb./day administered orally or intravenously) are also effective in treating acute cases.
In more chronic cases it is often necessary to clean the wound, apply local antiseptics or antimicrobials, and bandage the foot in conjunction with systemic therapy to hasten recovery. If joints or tendon sheaths are involved, the prognosis for recovery is poor and surgery to remove an affected claw may be the only option.
Prevention
Good hoof health is of maximum importance. Clean yards that are free of sharp objects such as stones or glass or frozen, muddy, rough ground will aid in preventing hoof injury and infection. Covering frozen ground with straw may also be helpful in preventing foot injury.
Source: Iowa Beef Center