Foot rot is one of the most prevalent and painful conditions in sheep worldwide, causing lameness that impairs mobility, grazing, and quality of life in millions of animals annually, yet it is largely preventable with appropriate management.
Foot rot causes progressive necrotic infection of the hoof tissue, producing foul-smelling lesions and severe lameness. Affected sheep adopt characteristic postures — kneeling to graze, shifting weight off affected feet, or lying for extended periods — that indicate significant pain. Untreated cases progress to deeper tissue destruction that can permanently damage hoof integrity. Chronic cases become emaciated from reduced grazing. The condition is highly treatable when identified early, making regular flock inspection a critical welfare intervention. Flocks managed with preventive footbathing, prompt treatment, and vaccination programs maintain dramatically lower lameness prevalence than those responding reactively. The welfare impact of foot rot is thus substantially determined by management quality.