Farm Animal Welfare

Farm Cattle: Johne's Disease Welfare Impact

Johne's disease (paratuberculosis) is a chronic wasting disease of cattle causing progressive suffering and high culling rates in affected herds.

Key Facts

Johne's disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP)
Clinical signs appear in cattle aged 3-5 years after infection in early life
Progressive protein-losing enteropathy causes diarrhoea, wasting, and bottle jaw
There is no treatment for clinical Johne's disease - affected animals must be culled
National control programmes in the UK focus on testing, culling positives, and hygiene management

Welfare Considerations

Johne's disease causes a prolonged decline in welfare before clinical signs are apparent, with sub-clinical infection impairing immune function and productivity. Once clinical signs appear, welfare deteriorates rapidly through wasting, weakness, and secondary disease. Early identification through testing and culling of positive animals, while commercially motivated, also represents the most welfare-positive management approach.

What You Can Do

Implement a Johne's testing programme in your herd if not already in place
Follow national control programme guidelines for biosecurity and calf management
Cull clinically affected animals promptly to prevent prolonged suffering
Prevent exposure of calves to adult faeces as the primary infection route
Work with your vet to set meaningful target levels for MAP prevalence in your herd