5 Tips For Preventing, Diagnosing & Treating Foot Rot
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JRG Supply

The summer grazing season can present another spectrum of worries ranging from pinkeye, to flies, to heat stress, to noxious weeds and foot rot.
According to the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Cooperative Extension Service, "Foot rot occurs in all ages of cattle, with increased case incidence during wet, humid conditions. When case incidence increases in hot and dry conditions, attention must be directed to loafing areas, which are often crowded and extremely wet from urine and feces deposited in small shaded areas."

"The first signs of foot rot, following an incubation period of 5-7 days, are lameness, acute swelling of interdigital tissues, and swelling evenly distributed around the hairline of both hooves. Eventually, the interdigital skin cracks open, revealing a foul-smelling, necrotic, core-like material. Untreated, the swelling may progress up the foot to the fetlock or higher. More importantly, the swelling may invade the deeper structures of the foot such as the navicular bone, coffin joint, coffin bone, and tendons."
Here are five tips for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of foot rot from John  Kirkpatrick, DVM and OSU associate professor of medicine and surgery; and David Lalman, PhD, OSU Extension beef cattle specialist.

  • Cause
    Kirkpatrick and Lalman say foot rot is caused by the softening and thinning of the interdigital skin by puncture wounds or continuous exposure to wet conditions, which provides an entry point for infectious agents and bacteria.
  • Transmission"Once loss of skin integrity occurs, bacteria gain entrance into subcutaneous tissues and begin rapid multiplication and production of toxins that stimulate further continued bacterial multiplication and penetration of infection into the deeper structures of the foot," they say.
  • DiagnosisThey recommend looking for the characteristic signs of foot rot, including lameness, elevated body temperature, swelling of the foot, and separation of the skin. Ulcers, abscesses, abrasion, fractures and inflammation are also key indicators of foot rot.
  • Treatment
    If caught early, treatment of foot rot is usually successful. Clean the area to be certain lameness is actually due to foot rot, and use a topical treatment on the affected area. Kirkpatrick and Lalman write, "Most cases require the use of systemic antimicrobial therapy. LA 200®, Bio-Mycin 200®, Procaine penicillin G, Tylan 200®, and Sustain III™ (sustained release Sulfamethazine) boluses are over the counter pharmaceuticals that have proven effective as a treatment of foot rot. Naxcel®, Micotil®, and Albon S.R.® (sustained release Sulfadimethoxine) boluses are antimicrobials restricted to the use by the order of a licensed veterinarian, and have also shown to be effective in the treatment of foot rot."
    If possible, they recommend keeping cattle in a dry area until healed.
     
  • Prevention
    Finally, they say that low level feeding of chlortetracycline (CTC) at about 350 mg/head/day can help to prevent foot rot. Many  mineral mixes and commercial supplements are formulated to provide that dose.  Additionally,  zinc  supplementation can reduce the incidence of foot rot as zinc is important in maintaining skin and hoof integrity, according to Kirkpatrick and Lalman.  Also consider commercial vaccines that are available to help control foot rot. Consult a veterinarian for your best options.
Treatment
la200
Liquamycin LA 200

For the treatment of disease in beef cattle; dairy cattle; calves, including preruminating (veal) calves; and swine. Each mL contains 200mg of oxytetracycline base as oxytetracycline dihydrate.

Available in: 100 ml,
250 ml, or 500 ml
$21.75, $40.75 or $65.50
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la 300
Noromycin LA 300

For the treatment of disease in beef cattle, non-lactating dairy cattle, calves, including pre-ruminating (veal) calves and swine. Its high cure rate and longer duration (3 1/2-4 days) make it ideal for treatment of pneumonia, shipping fever, pinkeye, wounds, infections, footrot or when herd medicating is required to eliminate or minimize an expected outbreak of disease.

Available in: 100 ml,
250 ml, or 500 ml
$18.75, $43.50, or $73.50
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tylan 200
Tylan 200

For treatment of bovine respiratory complex (shipping fever, pneumonia), footrot, diphtheria and metritis in beef cattle in beef and nonlactating dairy cattle. Also for treatment of respiratory illness, pneumonia, PPLO, arthritis and erysipelas infection in swine. Contains 200 mg/mL of Tylosin. Withdrawal prior to slaughter is 14 days for swine and 21 days for cattle.

Available in: 250 ml
or 500 ml
$39.00 or $64.75

pro pen g
Procaine Pen G

Contains 300,000 units of Penicillin G Procaine per mL. For IM use only in horses, cattle, swine and sheep.

Available in: 100 ml
or 250 ml
$6.95 or $1.50

topical fungicide
Topical Fungicide

With Sprayer For Control Of Summer Itch, Girth Itch, Foot Rot, Ringworm And Other Fungal Problems. Contains .15% Benzalkonium Chloride, And Effective Germicide And Detergent. Safe For Use On Cattle, Sheep, Horses And Cats.

Available in: 1 pt
$6.50

sustain III
Sustain III

Sulfamethazine in a sustained release bolus provides treatment level for 3 days in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle. Effective against foot rot, shipping fever, calf diphtheria, acute metritis caused by organisms sensitive to sulfamethazine. 

Available in: 50 ct
$66.50
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Prevention
fusogard
Fusogard

Fusogard is a killed vaccine with F. necrophorum bacterin that reduces incidence of footrot and liver abscesses. Vaccinate cattle six months or older with two doses 21 days apart for footrot. For liver abscess concerns in feedlot cattle, administer two doses 60 days apart. Dose is 2 mL subQ.

Available in: 10 ds or 50 ds
$14.20 or $63.00
foot rot shear
Foot Rot Shear

Features teflon-coated, high-carbon steel blades that retain the sharpest edge, adjustable blade tension, simple, convenient lock and comfortable, tough resin handles. Length: 7.5"

$13.50
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