FMD often produces only a mild clinical disease in sheep and goats. The initial pyrexic phase may pass unnoticed. Sudden lameness may be seen in a large proportion of the flock. If infection enters around the time of lambing, mortality in lambs can be very high due to myocarditis. Vesicles may be found on the coronary band in the interdigital space on the bulbs of the heel.
Vesicles can often be small and difficult to find.
Vesicles, or more usually erosions, can be found on the tongue, buccal mucosa or dental pad. Lesions due to FMD are prone to secondary bacterial infection and, conversely, lesions of the hoof can predispose to infection with FMD virus by the percutaneous route. Particular care must therefore be paid to sheep showing any lesions of the feet.