Addressing the most prevalent welfare problem in UK and global sheep flocks
Lameness is the most common and economically significant health problem in sheep worldwide. UK estimates suggest 3-10% of sheep are lame at any given time; lifetime prevalence may be 15-20%. The welfare cost is enormous — lameness causes chronic pain, reduces grazing time, causes social withdrawal, and leads to body condition loss that reduces immune function. Yet most lameness in sheep is preventable and treatable.
Footrot (Dichelobacter nodosus): Accounts for 80%+ of sheep lameness in UK. Contagious; causes severe tissue destruction between toes. Extremely painful; rams may lose 20-30% body condition. Treatable with antibiotics and footbathing; preventable with vaccination (Footvax).
CODD (Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis): Emerging, spreading; causes severe hoof capsule separation. Very painful; treated with antibiotics but harder to control than footrot.
White Line Disease / Foot Abscesses: Associated with hard, stony ground or wet soft conditions; causes abscess and significant pain.
NSAIDs (meloxicam) significantly reduce pain and improve recovery in lame sheep. Studies show treated sheep return to normal posture and grazing 2-3 days faster than untreated controls. Yet NSAID use in lame sheep remains inconsistent. The "Lameness Touchscreen Scoring" app (developed by SRUC) enables systematic flock lameness monitoring to enable rapid detection and treatment.