Lameness in Piglets. Abrasions in Nursing Piglets and Transfer of Protection towards Infections withStreptococcifrom Sow to Offspring

Abstract

A group of 175 newborn piglets were monitored with respect to development of abrasions and lameness. Lameness was diagnosed in 10.9% of the piglets. About every second litter was affected and around 75% of these diagnoses took place during the first 3 weeks of life. Skin lesions were present already on day 3. They increased in magnitude until day 10 and thereafter declined. They were generally bilateral and most commonly observed as abrasions over the carpal joints. Hocks, face and tails were affected in a similar way, but at lower magnitudes. Sole bruising was observed in 87% of the piglets on the third day of life, and moderate to severe lesions dominated until day 10. Thereafter the incidence decreased, indicating healing with time. Still 39% of the piglets were affected at day 17. There was a significant positive correlation between skin lesions of carpus and hock within all examination days in selected piglets with known identity (n = 48). Between day 10 and 17 significant positive correlations were found within all examination sites with exception of abdomen and teats. The offspring of sows treated against mastitis expressed more abrasions then piglets delivered by healthy sows and the mortality during the first 17 days postpartum was significantly higher among piglets delivered by sows treated for mastitis. The level of serum antibodies to Streptococcus equisimilis in eight dams decreased during the last month of gestation and a declining maternal immunity to S. equisimilis was demonstrated in all piglets (n = 47) during the first 5 weeks of life. During the first 2 weeks of life somewhat lower median levels of serum antibodies were recorded among the piglets that were treated against arthritis (n = 8).

A cross-sectional study on the prevalence and risk factors for foot and limb lesions in piglets on commercial farms in Ireland

“…In the current study limb abrasions increased with age, this is in contrast to previous studies (Svendsen et al, 1979;Phillips et al, 1996;, Zoric et al, 2004and KilBride et al, 2009). However, the lack of bedding provision and floor types sampled are different from these studies.…”

“…Skin abrasions were the most prevalent limb lesion and they occurred most commonly bilaterally on the carpus of the front limbs, as previously reported (Gravås, 1979;Svendsen et al, 1979;, Zoric et al, 2004, Zoric et al, 2008and KilBride et al, 2009). In the current study limb abrasions increased with age, this is in contrast to previous studies (Svendsen et al, 1979;Phillips et al, 1996;, Zoric et al, 2004and KilBride et al, 2009).…”

“…KilBride et al (2009) reported that internal pathological damage was often more severe than external injuries suggested and internal infection often did not result in noticeable swelling and so swellings may underestimate the prevalence of internal infections in the foot and limb. The severity of swellings therefore makes them a production and welfare concern despite their low prevalence (Penny et al, 1971, Zoric et al, 2004and KilBride et al, 2009. Metal slats are considerably more abrasive than plastic slats (Gregory, 2007), so it is not surprising that the risk for foot and limb swellings increased in pigs in pens with metal slats throughout with a small plastic solid floor area for piglets.…”

“…As abrasions, sole erosion and injury to the coronary band penetrate the epidermis they provide an entry site for pathogens that can lead to secondary infection in the tarsal, carpal, carpophalangeal, or digital joints, which results in swelling (inflammation) in the joints of the limbs and feet (Penny et al, 1971, Zoric et al, 2004and KilBride et al, 2009. Such bacterial infections can cause osteomyelitis, arthritis, endocarditis, or meningitis (Penny et al, 1971, Zoric et al, 2004, Straw et al, 2006and KilBride et al, 2009.…”

“…Such bacterial infections can cause osteomyelitis, arthritis, endocarditis, or meningitis (Penny et al, 1971, Zoric et al, 2004, Straw et al, 2006and KilBride et al, 2009. KilBride et al (2009) found a relatively low prevalence (5.5%) of swellings but their effect on piglet welfare and performance is severe (KilBride et al, 2012) and so even low prevalence is of concern.…”