Lameness is one of the most significant welfare problems in sheep, causing chronic pain and substantially reducing productivity on farms.
Sheep lameness causes persistent pain equivalent to moderate-to-severe pain in human equivalents. Yet intervention is often delayed because sheep, as prey animals, mask pain and continue to move despite significant discomfort. The five-point lameness scoring system helps farmers identify animals needing treatment earlier. Prompt footbathing, antibiotic treatment and isolation reduce herd spread. Vaccination for footrot and CODD has transformed flock management in proactive operations.