printStock Journal Technical Column: August 2026
Author: Steph Warwick, Elders Livestock Production Advisor
Autumn rains and abundant green feed may be welcomed by producers, but the warm, wet conditions also create the perfect environment for several livestock health issues. Foot abscesses are currently flaring up in sheep flocks across the state – with serious animal welfare and production consequences.
Foot abscess occurs when bacteria gain entry to the foot through damaged skin or hoof tissue. Once established, the resulting infection causes significant inflammation, swelling and lameness, often leaving affected sheep reluctant or unable to bear weight on the limb.
The bacterium most often implicated is called Fusobacterium necrophorum. It survives in the gut of healthy normal sheep and is found commonly in the environment – in soil and manure.
Current conditions have created a perfect storm. Our warm, damp soils have been favouring bacterial survival. The skin on the feet of our sheep has become vulnerable and soft, due to many months of standing in lush, wet feed, or muddy conditions. Once the hoof is soft any irritation can then initiate abscess formation. This can include rough ground, stubbles, thorns, other foot disease, or even simply excessive load bearing in big heavy sheep. Rams, heavily pregnant ewes, or those simply high in body condition, are particularly at risk. Conditions such as Ovine Interdigital Dermatitis, Footrot, Laminitis or even Scabby Mouth can damage the foot, and result in an abscess.
Signs of foot abscess include a sudden and severe lameness, with the animal unwilling to bear weight on the affected limb. Swelling around or above the hoof is common, and you may notice the abscess begin to drain. Adult sheep are most commonly affected, in a single foot only.
If lameness is present in more than 10% of the flock, it is important to consider other causes. In contrast to an abscess, footrot will affect high percentages of a flock, in multiple feet and can occur in lambs from a very young age. It is worthwhile to consult your local veterinarian for advice and assistance in distinguishing between foot abscess and other causes of lameness. Correct identification is essential to ensure treatment and management efforts are effective.
The production, and therefore financial, impact of foot abscesses can be substantial. The severe pain associated with the condition reduces grazing time, leading to weight loss and poorer overall performance.
Late-pregnant ewes are particularly vulnerable. Reduced feed intake can increase the risk of pregnancy toxaemia, a condition that is often difficult and costly to treat and can result in the loss of both the ewe and her lambs.
Other consequences include reduced fertility in both ewes and rams, slower growth rates, and increased labour associated with treatment and monitoring. In severe cases, the hoof can be permanently damaged, resulting in chronic lameness and ongoing management challenges.
Individual treatment focusses on debridement of the abscess, to encourage drainage, and movement of the animal to a dry environment. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories dispensed by your local veterinarian, are also useful. If flies are active, then fly prevention should be used, to avoid abscessed feet becoming struck.
While treatment can be successful, prevention remains the most effective strategy.
Prevention strategies may include:
- Allocating high-risk late pregnant ewes to drier paddocks
- Managing interdigitial dermatitis through regular foot bathing
- Reducing foot trauma through paddock selection and management
- Using foot trimming to correct hoof abnormalities, but ensuring not to over-trim
- Minimising laminitis risk, by balancing high protein pastures with roughage +/- a high fibre grain such as oats
- Managing nutrition, to ensure sheep don’t become over-conditioned
- Correcting trace mineral deficiencies, particularly zinc, to maximise hoof integrity.
With conditions currently favouring disease development, producers are encouraged to monitor flocks closely and investigate any sudden cases of lameness promptly. Early intervention can significantly reduce animal welfare impacts and minimise production losses.