Sheep Lameness Treatment and Prevention

How sheep lameness - one of the most common sources of farm animal pain - can be dramatically reduced through systematic prevention and treatment.

Key Facts

Lameness affects approximately 10% of UK sheep at any one time, representing one of the most significant welfare challenges in the industry
Footrot caused by the interaction of Fusobacterium necrophorum and Dichelobacter nodosus is the primary cause of severe lameness
Contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) is an emerging cause of severe lameness that can affect entire flocks
The Five Point Plan for lameness control includes prompt treatment, isolation, culling of chronic cases, footbathing, and vaccination
Lame sheep are often undertreated - surveys show many lame sheep are not treated promptly with appropriate analgesia
Oxytetracycline spray has limited efficacy compared to trimming and systemic antibiotic treatment for footrot
Footrot vaccination significantly reduces prevalence in vaccinated flocks and should be combined with management practices

Welfare Considerations

Sheep lameness represents a systemic welfare failure in the UK sheep industry and globally - a condition that causes severe, chronic pain to millions of animals and is both preventable and treatable, yet remains at persistently high prevalence. The pain of footrot and CODD is severe - affected sheep show behavioral indicators of pain equivalent to those seen in other recognized painful conditions, yet many are left untreated for extended periods. The Five Point Plan for lameness control has strong evidence for effectiveness, yet implementation is inconsistent. Industry culture change toward treating lameness as the urgent welfare matter it is, combined with practical support for implementation of control programs, is urgently needed.

What You Can Do

Implement the Five Point Plan for sheep lameness control on your farm
Treat lame sheep within 3 days of observation with appropriate antibiotic and analgesia
Vaccinate sheep against footrot in endemic areas and maintain vaccination programs consistently
Support sheep welfare organizations providing practical guidance on lameness control
Advocate for lameness prevalence reporting as a mandatory welfare indicator for sheep farms