Dipping sheep in pesticide baths for ectoparasite control can cause significant stress and injury when poorly managed. Improved protocols substantially reduce welfare impacts.
Traditional plunge dipping is one of the more acutely stressful routine procedures in sheep management. Sheep submerged forcibly in unfamiliar chemical baths experience extreme fear, and deaths from drowning or chemical inhalation occur when handling is poor. The welfare case for transitioning to injectable or pour-on treatments where epidemiologically appropriate is strong. Where dipping remains necessary, good facility design, trained handlers, and appropriate dip entry and exit management minimize acute suffering significantly.