How effective are clinical pre-farrowing risk assessment and the use of soft rubber mats in preventing shoulder ulcers in at-risk sows?

Abstract

Background Lameness, low BCS and scar tissue in the skin covering the tuber spina scapulae are known as risk factors for shoulder ulcer in sows. In a two-step study, the predictive ability of pre-farrowing clinical examination and the preventive effect of rubber mats on the development of shoulder ulcers in at-risk sows were evaluated. Material and methods The study included 659 sows that were clinically examined one week before farrowing to distinguish risk sows from no-risk sows. Sows with a BCS ≤ 2 and/or a locomotion score > 3 and/or scar tissue in the skin covering the tuber spina scapulae were classified as at risk of developing shoulder ulcers. The at-risk sows were randomly assigned to either a prevention group in which sows were stalled in farrowing crates equipped with rubber mats, or a non-prevention group in which sows were stalled in standard crates. The shoulder areas were photographed during the first two weeks of the lactation period. Results The chance of developing a shoulder ulcer was significantly higher for at-risk sows than for non-at-risk sows (OR 5.55, p < 0.0001). At-risk sows stalled in crates equipped with rubber mats as preventive substrates had a significantly lower chance of developing shoulder ulcers than did those stalled in standard pens (OR 0.54, p = 0.0358). Conclusions The development of shoulder ulcers in sows can be predicted by clinical pre-farrowing risk assessment based on BCS, locomotion score and scar tissue scoring. Providing at-risk sows with farrowing crates equipped with rubber mats had a statistically significant protective effect.

Impact of Duration of Farrowing Crate Closure on Physical Indicators of Sow Welfare and Piglet Mortality

“…Finally, 2% of the sows entered farrowing with shoulder lesions, and 24% of them had a shoulder lesions at weaning with no differences between treatments. Our results are similar to those of Meyer et al [ 15 ] where the prevalence of shoulder lesions was 23% in sows defined as non-at-risk to develop this condition, after 3 weeks of lactation, in closed crates. Other studies have shown a lower prevalence of shoulder lesions (around 14%) in the same lactation time period [ 6 , 29 ], independent of the housing system where the sow was being kept.…”

“…Other studies have shown a lower prevalence of shoulder lesions (around 14%) in the same lactation time period [ 6 , 29 ], independent of the housing system where the sow was being kept. There are a lot of environmental and animal-related risk factors for shoulder lesions in sows [ 30 ] and the three most relevant sow-related risk factors are BCS, lameness, and parity [ 15 ]. Since we blocked by parity, and BCS and lameness were not different between treatments, our results agree with these previous studies where confinement duration is not a risk factor for shoulder lesions.…”

“…Lameness was scored as absence or presence of any sign of lameness, such as shifting the weight away from a limb and/or limping when walking. Shoulder lesion was scored with the following scale 1: the absence of a shoulder lesion; 2: the presence of a shoulder lesion (ulcerated dermis, sometimes covered with a scab) (adapted from Meyer et al [ 15 ]). Teat lesions were quantified by counting the number of teats each sow had with either deep or superficial wounds.…”

Development and Progression of Shoulder Lesions and Their Influence on Sow Behavior

“…Sows developing shoulder lesions, or shoulder sores, after farrowing is a well-known condition that has been reported in up to 50% of animals on some farms [1,2] and is widely considered to be a multifactorial problem. While there appears to be consensus about certain risk factors for lesion development, such as a low body condition score [2][3][4][5], other predisposing factors may include breed, parity, and weaning weight [5]. The development of a shoulder sore can result in economic losses for producers as treatments are limited and sows with severe lesions often have their piglets weaned early, consequently negatively impacting the litter.…”

“…Beyond this, however, little is understood about how the lesions progress and heal. Some studies have demonstrated how different treatment choices can alter the rate of healing [5,8], with rubber mat flooring appearing to be an effective feature of treatment plans [4,5]. However, to our knowledge, no studies have examined the daily changes lesions undergo throughout the development and healing process.…”