Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Lameness Pain Assessment and Treatment

Lameness is one of the most significant welfare problems in sheep farming, causing chronic pain that is often undertreated due to underestimation of pain levels.

Key Facts

Lameness affects approximately 10% of sheep in UK flocks at any one time
Footrot caused by Dichelobacter nodosus is the most common cause
Sheep stoically mask pain behaviour, leading to underestimation of suffering
Untreated footrot causes severe chronic pain comparable to severe toothache
Early treatment with antibiotics and zinc footbathing dramatically improves welfare

Welfare Considerations

Lame sheep experience significant, sustained pain affecting feeding, social behaviour, and overall condition. The stoic nature of sheep means pain is often underestimated by farmers, making proactive lameness monitoring and prompt treatment critical welfare priorities.

What You Can Do

Implement a regular lameness scoring programme in your flock
Treat lame sheep promptly and correctly with appropriate antibiotics
Establish a regular zinc sulphate footbathing programme for prevention