Pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality and chronic suffering in sheep, particularly in housed lambs, requiring proactive prevention and rapid welfare-focused treatment.
Pneumonia causes significant suffering in affected sheep, with laboured breathing, fever, pain, and reduced mobility. Chronic cases lead to permanent lung damage, persistent reduced welfare, and weight loss. Prevention is far more effective than treatment for welfare outcomes. Key preventive measures include adequate ventilation in housed sheep, avoiding overcrowding, minimising stress at weaning, and vaccination against key respiratory pathogens. Any sheep showing respiratory signs should receive prompt veterinary assessment and appropriate antibiotic therapy to limit suffering.