Severe foul-in-the-foot and BVD infection
Daniel, R.; Davies, H.; Davies, A.; Irons, R.; Mulligan, G.
Veterinary Record 137(25): 647
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 8693679 Document Number: 443429
Cases of severe foul-in-the-foot, affecting all 4 feet, in yearling beef cross cattle on 2 farms are reported. Affected animals were lame with swollen feet below the fetlock and foul smelling necrosis of interdigital skin. One animal had ulcers on the gingivae and hard palate. Blood samples from 3 animals tested were positive for bovine diarrhoea virus (BDV) and negative for BDV antibody. Fusobacterium necrophorum subspecies necrophorum, Bacteroides fragilis and B. melaninogenicus were cultured from the foot lesions. The affected cattle were culled. It is suggested that intercurrent BDV infection should be considered in severe foul-in-the-foot cases where all 4 feet are affected. If the immune system is compromised by BDV infection, treatment may be less effective and the prognosis should be guarded.