Sheep producers are being advised to monitor sheep for lameness following the exceptionally wet spring across large parts of South Australia, with 20 cases of footrot detected since September.
Animal health staff from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) have investigated more than 30 reports of lameness in sheep flocks since September, with different causes identified, many because of ongoing wet conditions which are expected to create multiple challenges for sheep producers.
Close to half of the reports of lameness were due to footrot, a contagious bacterial disease which causes inflammation of the skin and hoof which can cause significant economic loss to producers. It is a notifiable disease and suspicion of any form of footrot must be reported immediately.
Reports should be made to either the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline 1800 675 888; a private veterinarian; or a local animal health adviser.
For more information about footrot and management of the disease see Footrot.
During the ongoing wet conditions, producers are reminded that footrot isn’t the only thing to be on the lookout for. The wet weather brings risks of conditions like mycotic dermatitis (dermo) and flystrike.
The Footrot Management Program for South Australia is funded through the Sheep Industry Fund Board of Livestock SA.