Lameness affects a large proportion of sheep globally, causing chronic pain and reduced welfare. Early detection and treatment are the primary management responses.
Sheep lameness represents one of the most prevalent and preventable welfare problems in commercial sheep production. A lame sheep experiences ongoing pain that affects every aspect of its daily life — it feeds less, socializes less, and falls behind the flock. Despite its prevalence, lameness remains undertreated on many farms due to the time cost of handling sheep in large flocks and the stoic nature of sheep that makes individual animal monitoring difficult. Research demonstrates that prompt treatment of foot rot — ideally within three days of onset — is both the most welfare-effective and economically optimal response. Whole-flock screening programs, good foot trimming hygiene, and vaccination against the primary causative bacteria are available preventive tools.