foot rot

Applicable foot rot concept

Record the species, terminology source and criteria being used, including unresolved ambiguity.

1. Which host species and veterinary case definition does this foot rot assertion concern? definition
2. Who assigned the diagnosis, and which examination or reference supports that usage? provenance

Differential boundaries

Maintain explicit distinctions from interdigital dermatitis, digital dermatitis, traumatic lesions, abscesses and other causes of lameness.

1. Which lesion locations and examination findings support foot rot over each plausible competing diagnosis? boundary
2. Could more than one hoof disorder be present, and what further examination would separate their contributions? action

Interdigital and horn involvement

Record interdigital skin changes, swelling, discharge and any hoof-horn separation without assuming all are present.

1. Which feet, claws and tissue sites are affected, and which were examined and found unaffected? measurement
2. What lesion extent or score was recorded, using which scale and examination method? measurement

Lameness and deterioration

Connect dated lesion observations to weight-bearing, mobility, feeding access and signs requiring prompt reassessment.

1. How have weight-bearing, locomotion and access to feed or water changed since onset? measurement
2. Which observed signs meet the attending veterinarian's criteria for urgent assessment or escalation? action

Interpretable pathogen result

Preserve specimen identity, collection timing, prior interventions, assay target and laboratory limitations.

1. Which animal and foot supplied each specimen, and when was it collected relative to treatment? provenance
2. What did the test detect, and what does the laboratory say a positive or negative result can establish? boundary

Virulence evidence and expression

For sheep, D. nodosus virulence can be investigated using laboratory methods; preserve the method and interpretation alongside clinical findings. [MSD Veterinary Manual](https://www.msdvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-sheep/contagious-footrot-in-sheep)

1. Was a virulence classification established, by which method and under which interpretive criteria? provenance
2. How does that classification relate to observed lesions, and what uncertainty remains if clinical and laboratory evidence differ? boundary

Plausible exposure pathways

Represent suspected introductions and shared exposures as hypotheses with dates and supporting observations.

1. Which introductions, mixing events or shared paddocks and housing preceded the observed cases? provenance
2. What evidence supports each proposed exposure pathway, and which links remain unverified? boundary

Group burden and detection gaps

Record affected animals, denominator, case definition and unsampled groups separately from disease-free claims.

1. How many animals met the stated case definition among those examined or at risk during the reporting period? measurement
2. Which animals, feet or time periods were not assessed, and how do those gaps limit conclusions about group status? boundary

Case and group actions

Link prescribed care, handling, separation and environmental measures to the host-specific assessment.

1. Which interventions has the veterinarian specified for this animal and its contact group, and on what evidence? action
2. What reassessment timing, treatment constraints or locally applicable movement requirements govern the plan? action

Supported resolution status

Distinguish lesion healing, functional recovery, persistent disease, repeat episodes and evidence supporting infection clearance.

1. What repeat examination or testing supports the recorded recovery or clearance status? measurement
2. If disease returns, what evidence distinguishes persistence, relapse, reinfection or an initially incorrect diagnosis? boundary

Check these first

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these check these first hold for the sense of foot rot this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Kinds and varieties

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of foot rot this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Real-world use

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of foot rot this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Typical measurements

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of foot rot this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Failure modes and hazards

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of foot rot this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Regional variation

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of foot rot this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of foot rot this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance