Further investigations of zinc sulphate footbathing for the prevention and treatment of ovine footrot

Authors: Skerman TM, Green RS, Moorhouse SR
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 31, Issue 6, pp 100-102, Jun 1983
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Hoof/claw, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Limb - lower, Locomotor, Treatment/therapy, Trace elements, Minerals/elememts
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Potential economic and practical advantages of zinc sulphate footbathing as recognized in an earlier field report have provoked additional evaluation of this material for routine farm use. Information was also required on whether any enhancement by surfxtants in promoting the penetration of zinc in hoof keratin in vivo was reflected by a superior therapeutic effect of a zinc sulphate-surfactant mixture compared with that of zinc sulphate alone. Finally, it was necessary to establish whether the slight, but histologically demonstrable, interdigital skin reactions found after repeated applications of zinc sulphate solutions to the feet of sheep kept in dry indoor pens also occurred in animals footbathed under farm conditions, During October-November 1982, weekly footbathing with formalin or the zinc sulphate-surfactant mixture was re-examined in a controlled field trial using a flock of mixed-age Corriedale ewes in North Canterbury. Footrot was initially widespread in this Bock which included unweaned lambs not involved in the trial. Procedures were similar to those used previously…

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