A cross-sectional survey of farmer reported prevalence and farm management practices associated with neonatal infectious arthritis (“joint ill”) in lambs, on UK sheep farms

NIA was reported in indoor and outdoor lambing flocks. A pattern of risk factors associated with increasing intensity of lambing was observed. Prophylactic antibiotic use was associated with a reduced risk of NIA in outdoor flocks, however, NIA still occurred in flocks where this was practiced. More veterinary involvement is advised in the diagnosis, treatment protocols, and prevention of NIA.