Texas FFA Livestock Judging PracticeTest

What is the name of the disease that affects the tissue of the foot in sheep?

1. Foot Rot

2. Hoof Trimmer

3. Scrapie

4. Lungworm

The correct answer is: Foot Rot

Foot Rot is a contagious disease that primarily affects sheep, characterized by inflammation and necrosis of the tissues between the toes and the hoof wall. The condition is caused by a combination of factors, including the presence of certain bacteria—most notably, Fusobacterium necrophorum and Dichelobacter nodosus—often exacerbated by wet, muddy conditions. This disease can lead to significant lameness, which affects the animal's mobility, feeding, and overall health. When left untreated, Foot Rot can lead to severe complications and loss of productivity in affected sheep, impacting the economic viability of a flock. Preventive measures typically include maintaining dry, clean living conditions and, in some cases, vaccination to bolster resistance against the disease. In contrast, the other options refer to different conditions or issues: Hoof Trimmer pertains to a management practice rather than a disease, Scrapie is a fatal neurological disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep, and Lungworm is a parasitic infection affecting the respiratory system of livestock, none of which specifically target foot tissue in the same manner as Foot Rot does.