1110 FOOT-ROT IN SHEEP. 



occurs in the interdigital space, recovery is impeded by the continuous 

 movement of the parts and by fresh infection. 



Symptoms and course. Attention being drawn to the disease by 

 the accompanying lameness, the lining of the interdigital space is 

 found to be red and swollen. Soon afterwards the surface becomes 

 moist, a serous, and later a purulent, fluid being discharged. As a 

 rule, inflammation is confined to the cutis, but the coronary edge of 

 the horn and wall of the claw become loosened, the wall and the sole 

 often undermined, and the horny claw may even be lost, unless proper 

 treatment be immediately undertaken. In exceptional cases 

 panaritium sets in, producing necrosis of the ligaments, tendons, 

 and bones. 



As swelling increases and the process extends, pain gradually 

 becomes more acute. The animals lie continuously, or are absolutely 

 unable to bear weight on the diseased foot, and suffer severely in 

 condition. When the superficial attack receives no attention, the 

 infection continues to extend, the disease becomes chronic, and 

 may last for months. 



Prognosis depends on the extent of local changes and on the degree 

 of pain. Particular caution is required when the animals show great 

 pain, cease to feed, and fall off in condition. The more the claws are 

 deformed, the slighter the chance of recovery. 



Treatment. The animal should be removed to a dry place, all 

 moistening of the parts avoided, and when the horn is loosened and 

 undermined, provision should be made for the escape of discharges. 

 For this purpose loose horn should as far as possible be removed, 

 and the diseased spot carefully cleansed. When the disease is superficial, 

 it is sufficient to smear the parts with tar, carbolic acid or carbolic 

 glycerin (5 to 10 per cent.), or to powder the diseased surface with 

 iodoform or similar disinfectant. Troublesome granulations are 

 checked by astringents like sulphate of copper, alum, &c, though 

 the cause of such growths, which often consist of dead masses of 

 tissue or projecting pieces of horn, must be removed. 



In deeper-seated disease, the treatment is similar to that in 

 panaritium. Fixing the claws by a dressing or piece of wood placed 

 in the interdigital space, and fastened by string, will also be found 

 of service. 



In sheep, the horn of the wall and sole sometimes grows irregularly, 

 or becomes too long, leading to suppuration under the sole. The 

 treatment consists in shortening the wall, thinning the sole, and 

 giving a dry bed. Further treatment is guided by the same principles 

 as in inflammation of the horse's hoof. 



