Footrot is one of the most painful and economically significant diseases affecting sheep worldwide, requiring prompt treatment and flock management to reduce suffering.
Footrot causes severe lameness and chronic pain in affected sheep, with welfare impacts comparable to fractures in terms of pain severity. Lame sheep are unable to graze effectively, lose body condition, and show behavioural signs of pain including posture changes and reduced activity. Delayed treatment prolongs suffering unnecessarily. Prompt identification, isolation, and treatment of lame sheep combined with biosecurity measures and vaccination are essential welfare obligations for sheep farmers.