Arthritis Management in Sheep: An Underaddressed Welfare Issue

Arthritis is common and frequently underdiagnosed in sheep, causing chronic pain and welfare compromise that can be significantly reduced with appropriate management.

Key Facts

Joint ill (septic arthritis) in lambs follows untreated naval infection in the neonatal period
Erysipelas polyarthritis caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae affects growing lambs
Caseous lymphadenitis and foot rot contribute to chronic lameness in older sheep
Affected sheep show lameness, reluctance to move, and reduced feed intake
Meloxicam provides effective anti-inflammatory analgesia in sheep and is licensed for this species
Prompt antibiotic treatment of septic arthritis in lambs prevents joint destruction
Prevention through navel disinfection at birth reduces the most common cause of lamb joint ill

Welfare Considerations

Arthritis in sheep is chronically under-recognized and undertreated. Sheep with arthritic joints experience persistent pain that affects feed intake, social behavior, and basic mobility. The stoic nature of sheep means that lameness below a visible grade often goes unrecognized. Regular lameness monitoring, prompt treatment of early joint infections, and analgesia with licensed anti-inflammatories meaningfully reduce suffering in affected animals. Prevention through navel disinfection eliminates the most common route to joint infection in lambs.

What You Can Do

Disinfect navels of all newborn lambs within 15 minutes of birth with appropriate iodine solution
Monitor lamb joints in the first 2-3 weeks of life for swelling indicating joint ill
Treat suspected joint infections promptly with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory pain relief
Implement regular lameness scoring for adult sheep to identify arthritic animals early
Provide anti-inflammatory analgesia (meloxicam) to lame sheep while the cause is investigated