Research

Background

Foot rot is a common, infectious, bacterial disease of cattle that causes lameness. In feedlots, lameness is the second most common use of antibiotics for treatment and is estimated to have an impact of up to $132/animal affected. In cow-calf operations, lameness is cited as the most common reason for antimicrobial treatment in cows and bulls.

There is currently one vaccine available for foot rot in Canada, which was developed to provide some protection against one of the pathogens responsible for foot rot, Fusobacterium necrophorum. However, concerns with its efficacy have been raised, given the potential role of other pathogens such as Polyphyromonas levii, Prevotella intermedia, or Trueperella pyogenes in foot rot development, and it also requires two doses 21 days apart as well as a 21-day meat withdrawal.

Objectives

• Identify bacterial pathogens causing foot rot lesions.
• Prepare a bacterin vaccine with antigens to these pathogens.
• Test duration of immunity and whether two doses are necessary.
• Test efficacy of vaccine to prevent foot rot in cattle directly inoculated with foot rot pathogens after vaccination.

Implications of the Research