The main causes of lameness in sheep include foot rot (FR),
interdigital dermatitis (ID), and contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD). FR is a bacterial
disease caused by Dichelobacter nodosus. An infection by faecal bacterium Fusobacterium
necrophorum may develop as a result of injuries to the interdigital skin occurring over a
prolonged period in a wet environment. FR is highly contagious and can be transmitted from sheep
to sheep via pasture, bedding or handling pens; however, this disease can also be spread by sheep
that do not show any clinical indications of the disease. In the case of ID infection, only the
presence of Dichelobacter nodosus causes lameness. In most cases of CODD infection, Treponema
vincentii has been isolated. The mean prevalence of lameness was around 8-10%, varied between
years and depended on the climate and the standard of hygienic conditions. The main causes of
lameness in goats were cracks and erosion on the horn of the bulbs of the heel that extended
along the internal side of the axial hoof wall. Similarly as in sheep, Dichelobacter nodosus and
Fusobacterium necrophorum were isolated from foot lesions. The clinical diagnosis was ID. The
mean prevalence of lameness in goats ranged from 9% to 15%. The common detection of Fusobacterium
necrophorum together with Dichelobacter nodosus supports the hypothesis that F results from a
synergistic interaction between these two organisms. Risk factors associated with infection and
lameness in small ruminants are as follows: the wet season and moisture, smudge of dirt with mud
of dens for animals, concentration of animals, virulence of the bacteria present, and the
frequency of routine foot trimming. Particularly in sheep, an increased frequency of foot
trimming is associated with an increased prevalence of F. Lameness in small ruminants may also be
related to an abnormal conformation of limbs or to lesions of the skin and udder. A highly
reliable method for the evaluation of locomotion in small ruminants is the scoring scale using
scores from 0 to 6. The treatment of infected animals consists primarily of their separation from
the flock and the application of an antibacterial therapy, in which almost any topical antibiotic
and foot spray can be effective, luring transmission periods it is advisable to bathe animals'
feet in zinc sulphate (10 or 15%) or formalin (3%) every live days. Supplemental dietary biotin
at 5.25 mg/day healed hoof lesions within 7 months. An improved locomotion of sheep was visible
within 4 months. Vaccination plays a valuable role, but it is not fully effective, and immunity
is of relatively short duration. Vaccination should be repeated at six-month intervals.
Prevention and control of the two most common causes of lameness in small ruminants (foot rot and
digital dermatitis) that eliminate Dichelobcter nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum are more
feasible given the climate and environment can lead to minimization of lameness, improvement of
animal welfare and increased productivity.