Mortality in piglets can be high In sheep and goats, the disease is usually milder with fewer lesions. Affected sheep are depressed and reluctant to stand. Some animals may get a sudden lameness. Vesicles form around the top of the foot and between the claws. Lesions may develop on the tongue and dental pad, but can be hard to detect.
Significant mortality can occur in lambs.
In addition to the lesions described above, vesicles may also be present in the rumen. In young animals there is focal necrosis of cardiac muscle. Unpreserved samples should be forwarded chilled, but should be frozen if delays greater than 48 hours are anticipated. For serology Blood collected in plain tubes and the sera separated. Transmission FMD is one of the most contagious diseases of animals.