Clostridial diseases cause sudden, painful deaths in sheep that are largely preventable through vaccination. Vaccine programmes are among the most cost-effective welfare interventions in sheep farming.
Clostridial disease causes acute, often agonising death — affected animals may die within hours of the first signs. The welfare tragedy is complete preventability: these deaths are almost entirely avoidable with appropriate vaccination. Welfare-centred sheep management treats clostridial vaccination as a non-negotiable baseline, not an optional extra. Programme effectiveness depends on correct implementation — cold chain maintenance, appropriate timing around lambing, booster schedules — not merely purchasing vaccines. Recording vaccination dates and reviewing programme effectiveness with a vet annually ensures the programme is actually delivering the welfare protection it should.