THE VETERINARIAN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 916, 20 September 1889, Page 18

THE VETERINARIAN.

FOOT-ROT IN SHEEP. This persistent enemy of flockmasters and shepherds is far too common to need any elaborate description, to be able to recognise it, yet, common as it is, it is only during recent years that its nature has been understood. In looking at old records of the disease, we find that it was combated in much the same manner as at present; but that very erroneous ideas were held as to the nature of the disease. Eoot-rofc is really the working of countless minute living organisms, which multiply and spread themselves over the foot with alarming rapidity. These parasites are conveyed by various media to the foot of the sheep. The air is a common medium for the conveyance of all such diseases, yet in this particular case a blade of grass is often the ultimate one. The germ is perhaps left on the grass by another sheep suffering from the disease, perhaps carried there by the wind, or some animal other than the sheep may have been the means of carrying it there ; and the sheep’s foot coming in contact with it, it leaves the grass and clings to the foot, and finding there a favourable ground for its growth, its then latent state is thrown aside for an active life. The cleft between the hoof is the usual place where it commences, and entering between the outer Wall of the sensitive foot, it quickly multiplies and works round the foot till at last the hoof is entirely separated from the foot. This theory, which only during recent years as the result of searching experiments lias been brought forward and proved correct, settles definitely the question of the contagiousness of foot-rot; and, indeed, how any practical man with any experience could think otherwise it is difficult to imagine ; yet Professor Dick said, ‘ Was there ever anything more absurd than the doctrine that this disease is infectious ?’ and others, even so recently as about 1850, were of opinion that it was sometimes contagious, but oftener not. There are certain circumstances which favour the growth and development of these parasites, which were regarded until lately as the cause of the disease. Travelling, shifting sheep from the hills to the lowlands, is one of these. The foot gets worn, and perhaps wounded, with the journey, and this affords safer breeding ground for the parasites, which may perhaps get on during the journey. Hill sheep feeding on soft old land parks and pastures do not get their feet worn by friction as much as on their native bills, and consequently the hoof grows at a rapid rate, and at last gets torn into the quick, in the same manner as the human finger nail is liable to do, and again the wound is a favourable opening for these microbes. Moisture is also in their favour, as foot-rot is always more prevalent in wet weather than dry, and on wet land than on dry, therefore, if for no other reason, it would be advisable to drain such land where foot-rot is prevalent. I am of opinion that the most important part of the treatjnent of this disease is the paring of the affected foot. It is highly necessary that all the hoof which does not adhere naturally to the sensitive foot should be pared off ; and although it is quite unnecessary to have the foot blood all over, it is better to pare too much than too little, as if shelter is left for any of the microbes the labour is almost entirely lost, as what are left will continue to multiply and spread. The substances which are used to destroy these parasites are generally either caustics or astringents. The most common caustic in the numerous compounds made for the cure of footrot is sulphate of copper, well known as blue vitriol. I will refrain from dealing with the relative merits of any of the various compositions, but shall enumerate a few commom remedies Tar, a mild astringent, will be found effectual in severe cases, if the foot after being pared is smeared with it and wrapped up. Lime is also useful, and it is a good plan where foot-rot is rampant to have some un•sjacked lime placed in a gateway, or some convenient place, where the sheep can be made to pass over jt daily. A strong solution of she- pdip will sopnetiipes be found beneficial, allow- | ing .the sheep to ffiapd with their feet in it till they are thoroughly scuyked. Butyr of antimony N is also a remedy, but the foot does not heal so nicely and quickly as with some of the other remedies. My personal experience of the disease iff that the sooner it is attended to the easier is it . checked. That portion of our flock which con- • tains infected animals I attend to every three or four days, dressing the feet of all that are lame* and I find that if J. don’t neglect them, there are fewer cases each time, till at last the flock may be considered sound. ~sut even then they require watching, and as soon as. a cheep is seen to be at all bune it should be attended : to, as the disease nine times out of ten starts • in the .cleft, and very little paring if any is : needed. During April our ewes and lambs got! rather bad of the foot-rot* so 1 started and dressed all the lame ones, going over them again in three or four days, and soon I had the ; flock almost sound ; but washing and clipping ' corning on they were neglected, and got just ■ about as bad as before, but with careful treat- ■ menf. I am even now getting the lamp ,onea to be a great deal scarcer. I find that in three or four days .scarcely any of the sheep are still lame from last time if the , disease is cured, and that it is an exception when one is still suffering from the disease, one treatment, except in very severe cases, being all that is necessary. It: cases where the hoof gets very hard a cure is not so easily accomplished, as it is more difficult to pare, and consequently there is more danger of it not being sufficiently pared at all points. In such cases I would recommend wrapping the foot in tar. I prefer a paste to a fluid composition, as it is more easily applied, and there is less waste, therp being no danger of it being spilled, although a liquid has

this advantage—lt has a better chance of reaching any parasites which may be concealed under the hoof of a badly dressed foot. Hopper’s Shepherds’ Friend I geuerally use, and certainly prefer it to such severe remedies as butyr of antimony, the foot healing up better and quicker, although the latter is preferable where there is any growth in the cleft. In conclusion, I would advise all who are troubled with the disease to tend their flocks carefully, and using prompt measures to eradicate the disease, never cease till their flocks are sound, and do not then be lulled into a mistaken sense of security, but be for ever on the watch, and when a sheep is perceived to be lame, attend to it immediately, not putting off till some future time, when the chances are there are more of their flocks infected. SHEEP DISEASES. The following valuable suggestions are taken from Sheep and Wool: SCOUR IN HOGS. Shift the affected sheep to less luxuriant pasture. Administer a tablespoonful of castor oil to each to cleanse out the intestines, and twice a day afterwards until recovery ; give two tablespoonfuls of the following mixture :—Powdered ginger, 4 drachms ; powdered catechu, 4 drachms; powdered opium, -J drachm; prepared chalk, 12 drachms ; peppermint water, J pint. Shake the bottle well before use.—W.S. Give a teaspoonful of laudanum and a small glassful of castor oil in gruel. A clean, old grass field might work a magic change. I have seen very bad cases aured in this way. —A B. Give hogs that scour from halt to a whole bottle of Cuff’s Farmer’s Friend, and repeat the dose in two days, if necessary. I have cured many a scouring sheep with that medicine. Strong tea and plotted milk will also cure them, but I prefer the former, though more expensive, remedy.—J.C. All young sheep are certainly liable to the disorder, more especially when there has been such a rush of grass as has been experienced this year ; but, unless the hogs are in lean condition, it is not often fatal. We would not consider that it is a commendable practice to be drugging sheep with medicine merely for grass scour. Would it nob be better to separate those that are scouring badly, and put them on some dry feeding, such as oats, pease, &c., avoiding oily food, which will help in a great measure to do away with the scour, unless it has gone too far, when no remedies will be of much service ? Turpentine is recommended as good for scour in doses of from two to three teaspoonfuls, yet it is a dangerous medicine to use unless skilfully administered, being so liable to choke the animal, though frequently given to domestic animals, and it will not readily combine with any other liquid. A mixture of eggs and milk are good for the purpose. We have heard an experienced shepherd say that dipping the hind parts of a sheep in cold water, and which he had often tried, was a good remedy for scour, though we will not vouch for its efficacy. -- M. M’F.