Farm Animals

Sheep Lameness Pain Recognition

Lameness in sheep is frequently underdetected and undertreated, causing prolonged suffering that could be avoided with better pain management.

Key Facts

Lameness affects up to 10 percent of ewes in poorly managed flocks
Footrot is the most common cause, caused by Dichelobacter nodosus bacteria
Lame sheep show significantly reduced grazing time and social interaction
Pain assessment using the sheep pain facial recognition scale is validated
Farmers often underestimate pain severity in lame sheep compared to trained observers

Welfare Considerations

Lame sheep suffer from significant chronic pain that reduces their ability to feed, bond with lambs, and maintain normal behavior. Prompt treatment with antibiotics and foot trimming is essential.

What You Can Do

Support sheep farms with proactive footrot eradication programs
Advocate for pain relief to be routinely given alongside lameness treatment
Learn to recognize lameness in sheep and report concerns to farmers or vets