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Related Experiment Videos

Formalin and footrot in sheep.

A D Ross1

  • 1Department of Veterinary Science, Lincoln College, Canterbury, New Zealand.

New Zealand Veterinary Journal
|October 1, 1983
PubMed
Summary

Formalin concentration in sheep footbaths significantly increases due to evaporation, reaching potentially harmful levels. To prevent lameness, use dilute 2-5% solutions prepared daily and discard them, avoiding additions to existing baths.

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Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Agricultural Science

Background:

  • Formalin footbaths are used to prevent footrot in sheep.
  • Over-concentration of formalin can cause adverse effects like lameness.
  • Environmental factors and contamination can alter formalin concentration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify changes in formalin concentration in sheep footbaths under various conditions.
  • To assess the impact of contamination (mud, faeces, wool, straw) on formalin concentration.
  • To provide evidence-based recommendations for safe formalin footbath management.

Main Methods:

  • Aqueous solutions of 9% formalin were prepared in shallow trays.
  • Solutions were exposed to outdoor conditions for 6-8 days.
  • Concentration changes were measured in uncontaminated and contaminated (mud, faeces, wool, straw) solutions.

Main Results:

  • High evaporation rates (47-73%) led to significant increases in formalin concentration.
  • Concentration increased by 13-31% (Trial 1) and 61-162% (Trial 2), reaching up to 7.6% actual formalin.
  • Mud, faeces, and wool did not alter concentration changes; straw prevented concentration increase.

Conclusions:

  • Evaporation causes formalin concentration to rise to potentially toxic levels, increasing lameness risk.
  • Recommended formalin footbath concentration should be 2-5%.
  • Prepare fresh solutions daily, discard after use, and avoid topping up existing solutions.

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