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Vetdle Archive

Archive Case #22: Ovine Foot Rot

Sheep veterinary case - Easy - March 25, 2026

Clinical Clues

  1. A ewe is presented for lameness affecting one hindlimb.
  2. The farmer reports the problem has become more common after prolonged wet weather.
  3. The hoof is malodorous and the interdigital skin is inflamed.
  4. Separation of the horn from underlying tissue is visible on closer examination.
  5. Several flock mates are beginning to show similar signs.
  6. A contagious bacterial disease of the ovine foot causes underrunning hoof horn and foul-smelling lameness.

Diagnosis

Ovine Foot Rot

This case is most consistent with Ovine Foot Rot because the ewe has foul-smelling lameness, inflamed interdigital tissue, and underrunning hoof horn in wet conditions. The most important clues are the characteristic hoof lesions and flock spread, which make simple foot scald less likely.

Learning review

Review the case evidence

Use the paired clues to explain how the evidence in this sheep case supports the provided diagnosis, Ovine Foot Rot, then compare your reasoning with the case explanation.

Evidence checkpoints

Clues 1-2

  1. Clue 1: A ewe is presented for lameness affecting one hindlimb.
  2. Clue 2: The farmer reports the problem has become more common after prolonged wet weather.

Clues 3-4

  1. Clue 3: The hoof is malodorous and the interdigital skin is inflamed.
  2. Clue 4: Separation of the horn from underlying tissue is visible on closer examination.

Clues 5-6

  1. Clue 5: Several flock mates are beginning to show similar signs.
  2. Clue 6: A contagious bacterial disease of the ovine foot causes underrunning hoof horn and foul-smelling lameness.

Self-review prompts

  1. After clues 1-2, what evidence from this sheep case shaped your initial interpretation?
  2. When you compare clues 3-4 with clues 1-2, what changed in your reasoning about Ovine Foot Rot?
  3. How do clues 5-6 align with the case explanation for Ovine Foot Rot?

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.