Chronic pain conditions in livestock including arthritis, foot disease, and mastitis affect millions of animals daily, with improved recognition and management representing major welfare opportunities.
Chronic pain welfare is distinct from acute pain because its effects accumulate over time and are often mistaken for normal aging or reduced productivity rather than suffering. Animals with chronic lameness reduce their feeding time, alter their gait to minimise weight bearing, and show behavioural changes consistent with persistent negative affect. The welfare cost of chronic pain — experienced continuously, often for months — may exceed that of acute painful procedures. Systematic pain management protocols that identify and treat chronic conditions improve welfare and typically deliver production benefits through restored feed intake and mobility.