17/12/07
Sheep farmers can break free from the footrot cycle by implementing
a whole-flock control programme of vaccination thanks to new supplies
of a footrot vaccine.
Sheep farmers can break the footrot cycle by carrying out whole-flock
vaccination.
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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.
Paul Williams MRCVS from Schering-Plough Animal Health states that, “Once
footrot enters the flock, both animals and financial margins are
likely to suffer. This is because sheep will lose body condition
and rams will fail to perform properly. These factors can 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, such as 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, is now available again following a short stock-out period.
The product, which can be used at any time of the year, is available ‘over-the-counter’ from
agricultural traders and veterinary surgeons and provides effective
treatment and protection against 10 strains of the bacteria which
cause footrot.
It is therefore possible once again, and indeed advisable for sheep
farmers to vaccinate their animals now, as Mr Williams explains: “Footrot
is mainly spread from sheep to sheep and it is therefore good practice
to vaccinate the whole flock before footrot levels increase so
that sheep can build up an antibody response to the bacteria that
cause infection.”
Paul concludes by saying that, “There is a misconception
that vaccination against footrot should only take place during
periods of dry weather. But in reality, Footvax can be used to
provide effective treatment and protection at any time of the year
to tie in with when footrot is a problem in the flock. It therefore
makes sense for farmers to take action as soon as possible in order
to reduce lameness, improve animal welfare and to reduce the financial
implications and time and labour inputs associated with treating
lame animals.”
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