Footrot and Sheep Lameness Welfare Management

Footrot is the most significant cause of lameness in UK sheep, causing severe welfare impacts that are largely preventable through vaccination and biosecurity.

Key Facts

Footrot, caused by Dichelobacter nodosus, affects 1-10% of sheep in affected flocks at any time and can reach 25% during wet conditions
Severely lame sheep spend more time recumbent, lose significant body condition and have impaired reproductive performance
Vaccination with the Footvax multivalent vaccine provides 6-month protection and dramatically reduces footrot prevalence in vaccinated flocks
A 5-point lameness plan (Mob, Assess, Treat, Cull, Vaccinate) provides a structured welfare management framework

Welfare Considerations

Footrot causes severe chronic welfare impairment — affected sheep kneel to graze, lose body condition from reduced mobility and feeding access, and show clear pain behaviour. The welfare burden is substantial given UK sheep numbers — even a 3% lameness prevalence across 16 million sheep represents hundreds of thousands of animals in pain at any time. The welfare case for preventive vaccination is compelling: a twice-yearly programme can virtually eliminate footrot from a previously affected flock within 2 years. Prompt identification and treatment of lame sheep is the complementary immediate welfare response.

What You Can Do

Implement the 5-point lameness plan: assess flock regularly, treat promptly, vaccinate twice yearly, cull persistently lame individuals
Target flock lameness below 2% — this is achievable with good management and is a recommended welfare benchmark
Administer Footvax or equivalent multivalent footrot vaccine twice yearly in spring and autumn for maximum protection
Treat lame sheep within 3 days of identification — delay allows disease progression and compounds welfare harm