Scald in Sheep: Welfare Management and Prevention

Scald (interdigital dermatitis) is the most common cause of sheep lameness, causing pain and lost production that requires active welfare management.

Key Facts

• Scald is caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum infecting the soft skin between the claws
• It is the most prevalent cause of lameness in UK sheep, affecting up to 10% of flocks seasonally
• Wet, muddy conditions and damaged interdigital skin are major predisposing factors
• Scald causes significant pain — affected sheep graze less and may lose body condition rapidly
• Early treatment with foot spray or footbath prevents progression to virulent footrot

Welfare Considerations

Scald is a welfare priority because its high prevalence means that at any given time, large numbers of sheep in typical UK flocks are suffering the pain of lameness. The social impact is significant: lame ewes fall behind the flock, are last to reach feed and water, lose body condition, and in late pregnancy may be unable to maintain nutrition for developing lambs. Early detection and treatment is critical — untreated scald progresses to footrot, which is more severe, contagious, and difficult to treat. Welfare-focused flock management should target a lameness prevalence below 2%, achieved through regular locomotion scoring, prompt treatment, and pasture management to reduce mud and trauma.

What You Can Do

• Implement regular locomotion scoring (every 4-6 weeks) to detect lame sheep early
• Treat affected sheep promptly with topical oxytetracycline foot spray
• Use zinc sulfate footbaths preventatively during high-risk wet periods
• Reduce poaching and mud around gateways, troughs, and feeding areas
• Target a farm lameness prevalence below 2% as a welfare key performance indicator