Footbathing, formalin and foot trimming: The 3Fs associated with granulomas and shelly hoof in sheep

Abstract

Granulomas and shelly hoof (SH), are lesions of sheep feet. Our objective was to use data from four questionnaires on lameness sent to English sheep farmers in 2004, 2013, 2014 and 2015 to further understanding of the risks and aetiologies of both lesions. Granulomas were more likely in flocks where routine foot trimming (odds ratio [OR] = 3.17; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.11-11.47) and routine footbathing (OR = 2.38; 95% CI 1.19-4.83) were practised than where these management protocols were not. SH was more likely in flocks that were footbathed in formalin compared with not footbathing (OR = 1.65; 95% CI 1.19-2.30), and was less common in flocks that stocked ewes at more than eight vs. four per acre (OR = 0.34; 95% CI 0.17-0.68). There were weak associations between SH and foot trimming. In 2004 only, SH was more likely in flocks where therapeutic foot trimming was practised than not practised (OR = 2.24; 95% CI 1.12-4.68). In 2014 33 only, SH was marginally less likely in flocks where no feet bled during trimming, compared with flocks not routinely trimmed (OR = 0.55; CI 0.30-1.00); SH was not related to foot trimming once severe footrot was included. We propose that flocks with granulomas and SH would decrease if farmers stopped footbathing in general, in particular with formalin, and avoided foot trimming whether as a therapeutic or routine practice. Further work is needed to understand the role of stocking density.

Characterisation of Dichelobacter nodosus on Misshapen and Damaged Ovine Feet: A Longitudinal Study of Four UK Sheep Flocks

“…Farms were convenience-selected based on the following criteria: convenient location, known history of footrot, and willingness of farmers to participate. Farmers who routinely trimmed the feet of sheep and/or routinely footbathed were excluded from the selection, due to the putative association with hoof damage [ 20 , 21 ]. Farm and flock characteristics are summarised in Table 1 .…”

Prevalence and Temporal Dynamics of White Line Disease in Sheep: An Exploratory Investigation into Disease Distribution and Associated Risk Factors

“…A range of predisposing factors are implicated in WLD development, although the exact causes of WLD are presently unknown. From retrospective farmer-reported estimates of WLD, footbathing (with formalin) and foot trimming were identified as key risk factors for WLD [ 18 ]. These farm-level managements, increasing the risk of damage to the white line, could explain differences in prevalence observed between farms [ 13 ].…”

“…These farm-level managements, increasing the risk of damage to the white line, could explain differences in prevalence observed between farms [ 13 ]. Sheep grazing poor quality pasture has also been reported to increase the risk of WLD [ 18 ], highlighting the possible role of nutritional deficiency in WLD occurrence [ 10 ]. Furthermore, previous work has alluded to seasonal differences in WLD prevalence on farms, with peak prevalence occurring during the summer months [ 13 ].…”

Management Practices Associated With Prevalence of Lameness in Lambs in 2012–2013 in 1,271 English Sheep Flocks

“…There was no association between therapeutic foot trimming of ewes and LiL (Model 2), indicating that the effect of trimming feet on lameness applies at an individual level and does not indirectly influence lameness in others in the flock. There is strong evidence that therapeutic foot trimming lame ewes delays recovery from footrot (12) and that foot trimming is associated with development of granulomas (21), which cause chronic lameness, and so the high flock prevalence of LiL associated with foot trimming lambs is not unexpected, but it is useful to have this evidenced. It is encouraging that in flocks where foot trimming is not practiced prevalence of lameness is low ( Table 5).…”