Characterisation of Dichelobacter nodosus on Misshapen and Damaged Ovine Feet: A Longitudinal Study of Four UK Sheep Flocks

Dichelobacter nodosus is the causal agent of ovine footrot, a contagious disease welfare and economic concern worldwide. Damaged feet may be subclinical carriers D. covertly spread infection. Accordingly, we evaluated risk misshapen damaged on presence load in four commercial UK sheep flocks. Foot-level observations swabs (n = 972) were collected from ewes 85) over 12 months. On average, sampled three times. Feet inspected for scored (good/poor) hoof conformation traits (sole heel, wall, wall overgrowth). Swabs analysed nodosus, mixed models constructed. Poor present 92.5% foot-level observations. with poor sole heel more likely to have higher loads (? 0.19, 95% CI: 0.04–0.35) than those good conformation. Furthermore, positive overgrowth was associated 0.27, 0.01–0.52). aspects harbour are source Flock management should guided by reduce challenge.