Clinical signs of Foot and Mouth Disease
Be vigilant. Quickly recognising clinical signs of FMD in livestock is vital to controlling the disease and preventing it from spreading. In cattle and pigs the signs of disease are usually readily seen; however, sheep do not always show obvious clinical signs of FMD.
Sheep
There is a chance that some sheep in your flock, or a single sheep may be infected without you realising it. Look out for these signs:
- Blister(s) in the dental pad (upper gum);
- Lameness and the feet may be hot to the touch;
- Loss of appetite;
- Sudden death in young lambs;
- Whitening and blisters on the coronary band (top of hoof). These may be small and covered with hair. If the blisters have burst, hair may be damp and bacterial infection may be present;
- Abortions;
- Blisters around the mouth are rare, but be aware.
Cattle
- Temperature increase of 2-3° C;
- Loss of appetite;
- Reduced milk yield;
- Lameness with the presence of painful lesions on the feet, making the animal uncomfortable and causing it to shift its weight. Feet feel hot to the touch. Cattle may flick feet as if a stone is lodged;
- Drooling saliva and chomping of jaws;
- Nasal discharge;
- Lesions and areas of whitening in the mouth which can develop into fluid-filled blisters on the tongue;
- The presence of blisters on the teats.
Pigs
- Temperature increase of 2-3° C;
- Loss of appetite;
- Huddling together;
- Lameness, feet feel hot to the touch & unwillingness to stand;
- Hunching their backs if made to move;
- Development of white lesions and blisters on the coronary band (top of hoof) and snout.
IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOUR ANIMAL(S) HAS FMD, ISOLATE IT/THEM AND STOP ALL LIVESTOCK MOVEMENT. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL HEALTH OFFICE IMMEDIATELY
Ayr; Tel: 01292 219350
Galashiels; Tel: 01896 758806
Inverness; Tel: 01463 253098
Inverurie; Tel: 01467 626300
Perth; Tel: 01738 602211
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