Sheep Lameness Prevention: Footbathing, Trimming and Veterinary Protocols

Lameness is one of the most prevalent welfare problems in sheep flocks worldwide. Evidence-based prevention and treatment protocols can dramatically reduce the burden of this painful condition.

Key Facts

Lameness affects an estimated 3-10% of sheep in UK flocks at any one time, representing millions of animals in pain
Footrot, caused by Dichelobacter nodosus, is the most common cause of severe sheep lameness in the UK
Contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) is an emerging cause of severe lameness with high treatment difficulty
The Five-Point Plan for sheep lameness management has been shown to reduce flock lameness rates by over 80% when followed
Early identification and treatment is critical - lame sheep should receive veterinary treatment within 3 days of detection
Footbathing with appropriate solutions reduces bacterial loads and prevents spread through flocks
Vaccination against footrot is available and effective as a preventive tool in heavily affected flocks
Culling of persistently lame sheep is sometimes the most welfare-positive option for individuals who fail to respond to treatment

Welfare Considerations

Sheep lameness causes chronic pain that significantly impairs welfare - affected animals show reduced feed intake, weight loss, reduced reproductive performance, and behavioral indicators of persistent suffering. The economic incentive to treat is also strong, yet lameness remains highly prevalent in many flocks due to inadequate recognition, delayed treatment, and insufficient preventive protocols. The Five-Point Plan provides a practical, evidence-based framework that has been proven to work when implemented consistently. Widespread adoption of this approach would represent one of the most impactful practical welfare improvements achievable in UK sheep farming today.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns promoting the Five-Point Plan for sheep lameness across the sheep farming sector
Advocate for lameness prevalence to be a mandatory outcome measure in sheep welfare auditing
Choose lamb from producers with documented lameness management protocols
Donate to research developing improved treatment options for emerging conditions like CODD