Footrot in Sheep: A Painful and Preventable Welfare Crisis

Footrot is one of the most prevalent and painful conditions in sheep worldwide. It causes severe lameness and significant economic loss, yet effective prevention and treatment exists.

Key Facts

Footrot is caused by the bacterium Dichelobacter nodosus and is highly contagious between sheep
It causes severe lameness — affected sheep lose condition rapidly and spend long periods lying down
Wet conditions favor spread of the bacterium between sheep through soil and pasture
Treatment involves foot bathing, antibiotic injection, and hoof trimming
Vaccination is available and provides effective prevention in high-risk flocks
Eradication programs in Australia have successfully reduced footrot prevalence

Welfare Considerations

Footrot causes intense chronic pain. Severely affected sheep adopt a kneeling posture to take weight off painful feet, and this characteristic kneeling walk is a recognizable welfare indicator. Pain reduces food intake, causing weight loss that compounds welfare suffering. The condition is contagious, meaning that delayed treatment on one animal allows spread throughout a flock. Five-point lameness control plans — including regular foot bathing, prompt treatment of lame sheep, culling of persistently affected animals, vaccination, and flock biosecurity — dramatically reduce prevalence and suffering. Welfare-centered flock management treats lameness as urgent.

What You Can Do

Implement five-point lameness control plans in sheep flocks
Treat lame sheep within 3 days of identifying lameness — delay worsens welfare and outcomes
Vaccinate against footrot in high-risk flocks and regions
Use foot bathing as prevention rather than waiting for clinical disease
Train farm staff to recognize and score lameness accurately