302 – Quantifying the beliefs of key players in the UK sheep industry on the efficacy of two treatments for footrot (Research paper – Winter – 2018)

302 Research paper – Winter – 2018 – Quantifying the beliefs of key players in the UK sheep industry on the efficacy of two treatments for footrot

In Significant Impact Groups: Pathogen management \ Managing sick animals
Species targeted: Sheep;
Age: Not stated;
Summary:
This study investigated how key players in the UK sheep industry recommended treating footrot, and tested whether reviewing the evidence surrounding treatment of footrot changed their beliefs. Eight key players attended a workshop to investigate current practice. All participants recommended use of antibiotic injection but only four recommended not foot trimming feet with footrot. During discussions, participants stated that parenteral antibiotics had always been recommended as a treatment for footrot but that the new research clarified when to use them. In contrast, it was highly novel to hear that foot trimming was detrimental to recovery. After hearing the evidence, seven of the eight would recommend avoiding foot trimming. Some key players were resistant to changing beliefs despite hearing the evidence. Three months after the workshop, three participants stated that they now placed greater emphasis on rapid individual antibiotic treatment of lame sheep and not foot trimming feet.

Where to find the original material: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023318303988?via%3Dihub; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.07.009
Country: UK