Impacted or Infected Oil Gland in Sheep
- Lameness in Sheep
- Overview of Lameness in Sheep
- Interdigital Dermatitis in Sheep
- Contagious Footrot in Sheep
- Foot Abscess in Sheep
- Impacted or Infected Oil Gland in Sheep
- Interdigital Fibroma in Sheep
- Septic Laminitis in Sheep
Sheep have a sebaceous (oil) gland in the skin of the interdigital space. A thick, oily, translucent secretion is stored in a small pouch lying between the phalanges and is discharged to the skin surface through a duct in the skin. Occasionally, the gland and its contents are mistaken for an abscess. However, the duct can become occluded, causing distention of the oil pouch. It rarely causes lameness. The oil sac also may become infected, resulting in a local cellulitis or abscess that may be confused with bumblefoot. Expression of the contents by manual pressure relieves impaction. Infected glands can then be treated with local or systemic antibiotics or both, depending on the extent and severity of the infectious process. Unlike bumblefoot, this condition generally responds readily to treatment.
- Lameness in Sheep
- Overview of Lameness in Sheep
- Interdigital Dermatitis in Sheep
- Contagious Footrot in Sheep
- Foot Abscess in Sheep
- Impacted or Infected Oil Gland in Sheep
- Interdigital Fibroma in Sheep
- Septic Laminitis in Sheep
Also of Interest
Test your knowledge
In all animals, the motor unit of skeletal muscle consists of the motor neuron, the neuromuscular junction, and muscle fibers. Muscle dysfunction—such as ataxia, paresis, or paralysis—most commonly originates in which of the following locations?