Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Lameness Pain Management Advances

Advances in sheep lameness diagnosis and pain management have improved welfare outcomes for lame sheep significantly.

Key Facts

Footrot, CODD, white line disease and shelly hoof are the most common sheep lameness causes
CODD (contagious ovine digital dermatitis) causes severe welfare harm and spreads rapidly
NSAIDs significantly reduce pain and promote faster recovery in acute lameness cases
Lameness scoring systems enable systematic identification and treatment prioritisation
Antibiotic resistance monitoring is important given reliance on antibiotics for footrot treatment

Welfare Considerations

Sheep lameness causes significant chronic pain affecting welfare and productivity. Systematic scoring, prompt treatment including analgesia and herd-level disease control significantly reduces both the prevalence and individual welfare impact of lameness.

What You Can Do

Implement routine lameness scoring in sheep flocks with clear treatment thresholds
Use NSAIDs as a routine component of sheep lameness treatment protocols
Work with your vet to develop a comprehensive flock lameness control plan