Footrot is a contagious, debilitating, inflammatory bacterial disease. It is caused by Dichelobacter nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum bacterium. Footrot affects sheep and goats and is more prevalent in warm, moist climates. Goats are more susceptible to footrot when their feet are overdue for trimming. It also happens more often in herds living in overcrowded housing.
Footrot is often referred to as benign footrot when clinical signs are mild, and virulent footrot when infection is severe. The severity depends on the virulence of the infecting bacterial strain, climatic conditions, and the breed of goats.
5 to 10% of goats become chronic carriers of footrot. Once the herd becomes infected with hoofrot, it is difficult to eradicate.
Transmission: Footrot is usually spread through direct or indirect contact with a carrier animal or their droppings. Footrot can also be spread through fomites (equipment, clothing, tires, etc.).
