Foot Rot - Prevention

Prevention

The infected animals can serve as the source of infection for the whole herd because they will spread the bacteria throughout the environment. The bacteria can live without a host for up to seven days. Once another animal gets a cut or crack in the soft tissue between its toes, the bacteria can infect the animal. This is why infected animals must be kept away from the rest. A good way to prevent foot rot is to keep any foreign objects that may cut or damage the foot out of the environment. This should be a practice regardless of whether a herd has foot rot or not. The cuts are what allow the bacteria to enter the foot tissue and cause the infection. Some cattle feeders add zinc to the feed mixes and may vaccinate the animals for foot rot. Zinc is important to maintaining the skin and hooves of cattle. Cattle deficient in zinc will become infected more easily than cattle with adequate zinc in their diets.

Regular footbathing may help reduce the incidence of foot rot in a herd. The bath usually contains copper sulphate or formalin.

Vaccines have been developed but their efficacy is questionable and the immunity they provide is of short duration.