But they can indeed recover. Cattle suffer worst. When cattle get FMD they start with a high temperature, loss of appetite and severe dejection, followed by acute painful stomatitis. They salivate copiously, saliva hanging in long ropey strings. Secondary infections can also occur though these can betreated.
Vesicles also appear on the feet, especially in the clefts and on the coronet.
Rupture of the vesicles causes acute discomfort and the animal is grossly lame, often recumbent and often with painful swelling. Secondary bacterial infection can interfere with healing and lead to severe involvement of the deep structures of the foot. Vesicles may occur on the teats and severe mastitis can follow. Convalescence may be as long as six months. Young calves are more susceptible than adults and heavy mortality can occur without lesions being present.