Sheep external parasite control through dipping, pour-on treatments, and injections is essential for welfare but the treatment processes themselves cause stress and sometimes injury.
Sheep parasite control welfare involves balancing the prevention of parasite-related suffering against the welfare costs of treatment procedures. Untreated parasites — mites, lice, blowfly larvae — cause suffering that is severe and progressive. Treatment by plunge dipping subjects sheep to acute immersion stress and chemical exposure. The development of effective pour-on and injectable alternatives has reduced treatment welfare costs without compromising parasite control. However, efficacy monitoring and rotation of treatment types to prevent resistance development remain important. Welfare-conscious parasite management uses the minimum effective treatment dose with the least welfare-costly delivery method.