Ovine respiratory disease complex causes significant welfare losses in UK sheep flocks. Early recognition, vaccination, and management reduce suffering and mortality.
Respiratory disease in sheep causes acute and chronic suffering. Pneumonia and pleurisy cause significant pain, dyspnoea, and physiological distress. The stoic nature of sheep means clinical signs appear late - by which point lung pathology is often severe. Proactive vaccination, housing management, and early antibiotic treatment are welfare-critical. Pain relief at diagnosis is legally required but compliance is inconsistently enforced.