Foot rot is the leading cause of lameness in sheep, affecting up to 10% of the flock at any time on poorly managed farms. Effective treatment protocols can dramatically reduce prevalence, but inadequately treated sheep suffer chronic pain.
Lame sheep experience chronic pain that is often underrecognised and undertreated. Ewes with lameness eat less, lose body condition, and have reduced milk production affecting lamb welfare. Chronic lameness is associated with poor reproductive performance and increased mortality. Welfare is most compromised in flocks where lame animals are not identified and treated promptly because stockpersons do not conduct regular and systematic lameness scoring.