Call a vet when sheep are lame as it could be an exotic disease
Arthritis of sheep can resemble numerous other diseases that cause lameness, most importantly the exotic diseases foot-and-mouth disease and bluetongue. It can also resemble footrot, foot abscess, laminitis due to grain overload, scabby mouth affecting the lower legs, strawberry footrot, rickets, and white muscle disease due to selenium or vitamin E deficiency. Even grass seeds, caltrop or doublegee can cause lameness in lambs, which can resemble arthritis at first.
Producers play a vital role in the early detection of exotic diseases in Australia. If you see:
- unusual disease signs
- abnormal behaviour
- unexpected deaths
in your stock, ring your local private veterinarian, DAFWA field veterinary officer or the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.
| Disease | Comments |
|---|---|
| Bluetongue disease (exotic to Australia) | Bluetongue typically affects the lips, tongue and gums of sheep, but lameness also often occurs due to inflammation of the skin just above the hooves of one or more feet. Many live export trading partners restrict entry of stock from countries with bluetongue disease. Although Australia has an effective surveillance program for bluetongue virus, it is important to have a veterinarian investigate any signs in sheep that look like bluetongue disease. |
| Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) (exotic to Australia) | Early detection of a case of FMD will be critical in reducing its impact on the Australian economy. In sheep, the only easily seen sign of FMD infection may be lameness. If you have sheep that are lame or that have sores on their mouth or feet, contact a veterinarian to investigate the cause. |
| Footrot | This infection begins in the skin between the claws and may progress to underrunning the soles and walls of the hoofs. Lameness may vary from very mild to severe. Footrot is a reportable disease in WA. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect footrot. |
| Foot abscess | Usually affects one or two feet. There is a painful swelling just above the hoof and a pussy discharge. |
| Laminitis due to lactic acidosis | The feeding history – of excessive or too rapid introduction to grain or pellets – and clinical examination will help to distinguish lameness due to laminitis (painful feet) from that due to arthritis (painful joints). |
| Scabby mouth (affecting the lower legs) | Identifying and controlling scabby mouth is important where sheep are being sold for live export as some markets reject sheep with scabby mouth. Scabby mouth can be prevented by vaccination. Discuss a suitable vaccination program with your exporter and veterinarian. |
| Strawberry footrot | This is an infection of the lower limbs by the same bacteria (Dermatophilus congolensis) that more commonly causes lumpy wool or dermo. The skin is covered with firmly attached scabs. |
| Rickets | This disease results from a calcium-phosphorus dietary imbalance and sometimes from inadequate sunlight. Veterinary investigation will be necessary to establish a diagnosis. |
| Selenium or vitamin E deficiency (white muscle disease) | The sheep walk stiffly, often with a hunched back and may be reluctant to stand. The problem is due to muscle damage, not joint infection. |
| Grass seeds, caltrop or doublegee | These may lodge between the digits or pierce the soles of young lambs, causing lameness. Easily diagnosed. |
Contact information
To contact your local department field veterinary officer for more information about arthritis in sheep, go to our Livestock Biosecurity contacts page.