What exactly is Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)?
A. Foot and Mouth Disease is a severe, highly communicable viral disease. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is caused by a fast-spreading virus, and all cloven-hoofed animals are susceptible to the disease. Nearly 100% of the animals in an exposed herd will become ill, and young animals may die of the disease. FMD is one of the most dreaded livestock diseases known. In Iowa, susceptible animals include: • Domestic Swine (Hogs and Pigs) • Cattle • Captive and wild deer • Sheep • Goats • Bison • Elk • Llamas • Cloven-hoofed zoo animals Would a livestock owner know if their livestock have it, are there symptoms? A. Blisters (vesicles) may form in the animal’s mouth or muzzle, causing slobbering and drooling. Later, the blisters will break, forming raw patches or ulcers. Blisters and sores can also develop on the animal’s teats, causing mastitis in dairy cattle. Blisters on feet result in lameness. Affected animals will be reluctant or unable to drink, eat or walk, and they will lose weight rap
