Burst blisters inside a goat’s mouth. Photo – European Commission for the Control of Foot and Mouth Disease (EuFMD)

ANIMAL Health Australia has released a new Foot and Mouth Disease fact sheet for sheep and goat producers that shows what the disease would look like in their animals.

Early detection of the disease is a key factor in limiting its spread, and the fact sheets answers questions about the signs of FMD to look for in sheep and goat flocks.

The fact sheet also includes QR code access to a Farm Biosecurity Action Planner and an online training course on FMD for further information on how to prepare for an outbreak.

The fact sheet also includes photographs of FMD lesions in the mouth and on the tongue of sheep.

The clinical signs of FMD in sheep and goats include:

• A high fever
• Blisters inside the mouth that lead to excessive drooling and saliva
• Blisters on the feet which may cause lameness and reluctance to move
• Weight loss

If you see any of these signs in your sheep or goats, you should immediately report this to either your local veterinarian or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800675888.

Click here to download your copy of the fact sheet.