FOOT-ROT IN SHEEP.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2680, 8 November 1882, Page 3

FOOT-ROT IN SHEEP.

Professor Woodroffe Hill recommends the following treatment for foot-rot in sheep: — , The earliest appearance of lameness should be followed by an immediate examination of the feet. All dirt, foreign bodies, and detached horn should be carefully removed—carefully, so far as the latter is concerned, because I am of opinion there is far too much indiscriminate use of the knife practised, diseased and sound horn alike being often randomly removed. Having pared away all detached horn, the exposed parts are to be dressed with a suitable agent. Those which have found most favor are sulphate of copper, butter of antimony, nitric acid, sulphuric acid, nitrate of silver, creosote, and tar. My own application, which I have always found to answer, is composed as follows : Nitric acid, compound tincture of myrrh, turpentine—of each loz ; crude carbolic acid, joz ; to be well mixed and applied with a feather.

Where the horn is soft and spongy and the discharge acrid, Finlay Dun recommends as a useful dressing an ounce each of creosote, turpentine, and linseed oil, and in the absence of the two first ingredients (creosote has similar action to carbolic acid) in the formula I have given, it will he found exceedingly beneficial. The same authority further advises, when the interdigital skin becomes involved, the dusting of it daily with powdered oxide of zinc or sulphate of copper, or the gentle application of nitrate of silver, a line of treatment in which I also fully agree. When the hones, tendons, ligaments, and joints become involved, treatment applicable to these conditions must be adopted on surgical principles. In such cases, Fleming observes : —“ It may be necessary to remove the whole of the hoof ; and where there is necrosis, caries, and ulceration of the joints, which do not yield to any of the measures adopted, amputation of the affected phalanges may be resorted to ; and with success, when only one foot is involved. A valuable ram or ewe may in this way be saved, and its aptitude for breeding purposes be but little impaired. The end of the limb, after the amputation, is covered by a thick cicatrix of a horny nature, and it is only exceptionally that it meets the ground ; the animal travelling short distances and grazing very well on three legs.” Collateral treatment consists in avoiding, as far as possible, all conditions influencing the production or continuance of the disease. The affected animals should ha removed to clean dry ground. When practicable it is advisable, after the dressing, to place the patients in a building and on clean litter. In cases where there is extreme constitutional disturbances, salines and mineral tonics may be given with advantage ; but speaking generally, internal remedies are not required; after recovery and removal of the sheep, lime should he plentifully strewn over the ground of the fold.

In neglected cases, vhere the disease has become chronic and eventually recovery has taken place, anchyloscd and enlarged joints, and deformities of the feet, are often the result. In such instances it is better to prepare the animal as speedily as possible for the butcher.