Sheep Footrot and Lameness Management

Footrot is the leading cause of lameness in sheep worldwide, causing significant pain and production loss; effective prevention and treatment protocols are well established.

Key Facts

Footrot affects an estimated 8-10% of sheep in the UK at any given time
It is caused by interaction between Fusobacterium necrophorum and Dichelobacter nodosus bacteria
Untreated footrot causes severe lameness, weight loss, and ewes failing to thrive during pregnancy
The Five Point Plan (vaccination, topical treatment, culling, footbathing, isolation) reduces prevalence dramatically
Early treatment with antibiotics and footbathing resolves most cases within a few weeks

Welfare Considerations

Footrot causes severe inflammation and tissue necrosis between the claws, producing a characteristic offensive odor. Affected sheep bear minimal weight on infected feet and may graze on their knees. The pain significantly reduces time at pasture, feed intake, and in ewes, milk production for lambs. Lameness scoring and prompt treatment are critical welfare interventions. Chronic untreated cases lead to permanent hoof deformity and persistent pain. Eradication programs using vaccination have achieved footrot-free flock status for some producers.

What You Can Do

Support farms that implement active footrot surveillance and prompt treatment programs
Advocate for footrot management to be included in farm assurance scheme requirements
Learn to recognize signs of lameness in sheep to identify welfare problems
Choose lamb and sheep products from farms with documented hoof health management