Foot Rot and Foot Scald

Foot rot starts from the introduction of bacteria to a lesion in the skin or a cracked hoof.

In cattle the bacteria is Fusobacterium necrophorum and Bacteroides melaninogenicus. 

In Sheep and Goats the bacteria is Fusobacterium necrophorum and Dichelobacter nodosus.

Fusobacterium necrophorum commonly referred to as F. nechrophorum is present in the rumen of the animals, therefore will be present in every livestock operation regardless of how well the conditions are maintained. F. ncrophorum as well as some other bacteria without the presence of Dichelobacter nodosus can cause a less severe condition referred to as foot scald. Foot scald is less severe than foot rot but still causes lameness in the animals that are affected. 

Signs of infection start with the skin between the hooves becoming swollen, red and tender. This will be followed by lameness, reduced weight gain, decreased milk and wool production.