Clinical signs of foot-and-mouth disease in sheep and goats
A range of clinical signs may indicate the presence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in sheep and goats.
![Tongue lesions are one possible sign of FMD in sheep Tongue lesions are one possible sign of FMD in sheep](https://www.business.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0024/90366/3-FMD-Sheep-and-goats-DEFRA.jpg)
Sheep with FMD tongue lesions. © UK DEFRA.
In sheep and goats, the disease is usually mild with few lesions, however, clinical signs can include:
- pyrexia
- lameness and oral lesions, which are often mild
- foot lesions along the coronary band or interdigital spaces, and lesions on the dental pad, but these may go unrecognised
- agalactia in milking sheep and goats
- death of young stock without clinical signs.
Severely affected animals can succumb to sudden, severe lameness affecting 1 or more feet.
The mild or sub-clinical expression of the disease in sheep is a significant risk factor for the spread of the disease.
![Sheep's dental pad and upper gum with 2-day-old lesion. Lesion margins are sharp.](https://www.business.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0023/90365/varieties/thumbnail-square.jpg)
Sheep's dental pad and upper gum with 2-day-old lesion. Lesion margins are sharp.
![Sheep's dental pad with 2-day-old lesion.](https://www.business.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0025/90367/varieties/thumbnail-square.jpg)
Sheep's dental pad with 2-day-old lesion.
![Sheep's foot with 2-day-old lesions in inter-digital space and along coronary bands. Note blanching and swelling.](https://www.business.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0026/90368/varieties/thumbnail-square.jpg)
Sheep's foot with 2-day-old lesions in inter-digital space and along coronary bands. Note blanching and swelling.
![Sheep’s foot with 2-day-old coronary band vesicles, one of which has ruptured.](https://www.business.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0027/90369/varieties/thumbnail-square.jpg)
Sheep’s foot with 2-day-old coronary band vesicles, one of which has ruptured.
![Sheep's foot with 6-day-old lesion on coronary band. Note scab formation and rapid rate of healing.](https://www.business.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0020/90371/varieties/thumbnail-square.jpg)
Sheep's foot with 6-day-old lesion on coronary band. Note scab formation and rapid rate of healing.
![Sheep’s foot with 10-day-old healed coronary band lesion. Note under-running of horn tissue.](https://www.business.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0021/90372/varieties/thumbnail-square.jpg)
Sheep’s foot with 10-day-old healed coronary band lesion. Note under-running of horn tissue.
![Goat with 2-day-old lesions on tongue and upper and lower lips.](https://www.business.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0022/90373/varieties/thumbnail-square.jpg)
Goat with 2-day-old lesions on tongue and upper and lower lips.
Also consider...
- Read more about the signs and transmission of FMD.
- Last reviewed: 29 Nov 2021
- Last updated: 29 Nov 2021