Further Investigations of Zinc Sulphate Footbathing For The Prevention And Treatment Of Ovine Footrot

Abstract

Extract

Sir:- Potential economic and practical advantages of zinc sulphate footbathing as recognized in an earlier field report⁽²⁾ have provoked additional evaluation of this material for routine farm use. Information was also required on whether any enhancement by surfxtants in promoting the penetration of zinc in hoof keratin in vitro⁽¹⁾ was reflected by a superior therapeutic effect of a zinc sulphate-surfactant mixture compared with that of zinc sulphate alone. Finally, it was necessary to establish whether the slight, but histologically demonstrable, interdigital skin reactions found after repeated applications of zinc sulphate solutions to the feet of sheep kept in dry indoor pens also occurred in animals footbathed under farm conditions.