While lameness in both cattle and sheep indicates an animal is having difficulty walking, the causes and specific manifestations can differ. Foot rot is a common cause of lameness in both species, but other factors like nutritional deficiencies, injuries, and infections play a role. Understanding these differences is key to proper diagnosis and treatment.
What Causes Lameness in Cattle and Sheep?
| Cause | Cattle | Sheep |
|---|---|---|
| Foot Rot | Common, caused by bacterial infection. | Common, particularly in wet conditions; caused by infection of soft tissue between the toes, resulting in extreme lameness and even loss of the hoof. |
| Nutritional Deficiencies | Imbalances of minerals like zinc, copper, and selenium can lead to hoof problems. | Can be a factor, especially calcium and phosphorus imbalances. |
| Injuries | Trauma from rough terrain or poorly maintained facilities. | Trauma from rough terrain or poorly maintained facilities. |
| Infections | Digital dermatitis and other bacterial infections. | Contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) is a specific concern. |
| Arthritis | Can affect older animals. | Can affect older animals. |
How Does Foot Rot Impact Sheep?
Foot rot in sheep is caused by an infection of the soft tissue between the toes, resulting in extreme lameness and even loss of the hoof. The more persistent type is caused by a specific organism that is difficult to treat. The pain and the restricted movement of infected sheep result in rapid loss of weight.
What Are Some Other Diseases That Impact Sheep?
Internal parasites such as the tapeworm and several species of roundworms that infest the gastrointestinal tract are perhaps the greatest scourge of sheep, but modern vermifuges are quite effective against these. Dips are used to combat such external parasites as ticks, lice, and mites. Enterotoxemia, or pulpy kidney, affects lambs at two to six weeks of age, especially those starting on unusually lush or rich feeds. A vaccination is quite effective in preventing this otherwise costly ailment.
How Does Limb Structure Relate to Locomotion?
Adaptations for fast running reach an extreme in advanced artiodactyls living in open country. The legs of most camels and ruminants have lengthened, especially in the lower parts; the number of toes, or digits, in the feet is reduced from the original mammalian five, and ruminants walk on the tips of their toes. The muscles are inserted high on the legs; only tendons pass lower, so that a large mass is not concentrated near the tip of the limb, where its inertia would restrict speed of movement.
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