134 RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 



feed, animal products, etc.. contaminated with discharges from affected 

 animals. 



SYMPTOMS 



In sheep the lesions are more pronounced in the feet, the blisters 

 being less well marked in the mouth than is the case in cattle. All four 

 feet generally are the seat of small blisters, which form on the skin 

 between the toes, on the heel, or around the top of the hoof. The 

 animal is restless and kicks with the hind feet. Pain becomes intense, 

 severe lameness is shown, and the animal rests on the knees or breast- 

 bone in feeding or lies down most of the time. The blisters rupture, 

 discharging a clear or yellowish fluid, which later may become cloudy 

 or purulent. Frequently the hoof separates from the wall. 



In the mouth small blisters form on the incisor pad, lips, tongue, 

 cheeks, or hard palate. These rupture, discharging a clear fluid and 

 leave small, reddened surfaces which heal rapidly. A considerable part 

 of the membrane of the mouth may be cast oft'. The animal often 

 makes a smacking sound or grinds the teeth. 



Blisters may appear on the udder or teats. There is a general c(jn- 

 stitutional disturbance, diminished appetite, and loss of condition. 

 The temperature rises at first and then drops to normal. 



The disease runs its course in from tw^o to three weeks, but is 

 prelonged by severe foot lesions or by complications. The mortality 

 is higher among lambs than among grown sheep. 



DIAGNOSIS 



Foot-and-mouth disease is readily recognized by the rapid spread 

 of the disease in a flock, or to cattle and hogs, by the characteristic 

 blisters on the feet or in the mouth and by the severe lameness in more 

 than one foot. In foot rot of sheep, lameness is present in the aft"ected 

 foot ; but in that case the lesions are in the form of ulcers, which 

 usually develop at the heel and may extend deeply into the tissues, 

 causing erosions which discharge a purulent matter. A pvmgent, dis- 

 agreeable odor also is ([uite characteristic of foot rot. 



TREATMENT 



Medical treatment is not i)racticed in this country, as the danger 

 that the disease will spread from an infected flock is too great. On 

 each occasion when an outbreak has occurred slaughter of the aft'ected 

 herds as early as possible has prevented the disease from gaining a 

 ])ermanent foothold in the country. During outbreaks of foot-and- 



