Sheep Pneumonia in Lambs: Prevention and Treatment Welfare

Ovine respiratory disease in lambs causes significant welfare harms and economic losses, with prevention through colostrum management and vaccination offering the best outcomes.

Key Facts

Respiratory disease is the leading cause of death in lambs over one month of age in many UK and US sheep flocks
Pasteurella, Mannheimia, and Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae are the primary bacterial pathogens causing ovine respiratory disease
Adequate colostrum intake in the first 24 hours is the single most important protective factor for lamb respiratory health
Ovine respiratory disease complex causes painful breathing difficulty, fever, and rapid deterioration without treatment
Vaccination programs against Pasteurella species in ewes provide passive immunity to lambs through colostrum antibodies

Welfare Considerations

Lamb pneumonia causes significant acute welfare harms through respiratory distress, fever, and pain that progresses rapidly without treatment. Early recognition and prompt antibiotic treatment reduces both suffering duration and mortality. Prevention through ensuring adequate colostrum intake, vaccination, and ventilation management in housed systems is more effective than treatment of established disease. The welfare burden of endemic respiratory disease across many flocks is substantial and substantially preventable through application of existing evidence-based management practices.

What You Can Do

Ensure all lambs receive adequate colostrum within the first 6 hours of life as the primary protective welfare measure
Implement maternal vaccination programs against Pasteurella species to provide colostral protection to lambs
Recognize early pneumonia signs including rapid breathing, depression, and nasal discharge requiring prompt treatment
Provide adequate ventilation in housed lambing facilities to reduce respiratory pathogen concentration