Lameness is among the most prevalent and painful welfare problems in sheep. Footrot and foot scald affect millions of sheep globally and are largely preventable with appropriate management.
Sheep lameness causes chronic pain that significantly impairs welfare quality. A lame sheep cannot graze, socialize, or escape from predators effectively — the welfare impact is systemic and prolonged when lameness is untreated. The stoic nature of sheep means lameness is often not identified promptly; regular welfare assessment including lameness scoring is essential for early detection. Treatment within 3 days of lameness onset dramatically improves recovery rates and reduces chronic damage. The Five Point Plan — avoid buying in infection, reduce culling for lameness, treat promptly, vaccinate, and breed for resistance — provides a practical framework with demonstrated effectiveness. Antibiotic prescribing for sheep lameness should follow veterinary guidance to maintain efficacy and avoid resistance development.