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Lameness in Pigs
Leg and Foot Problems Causing Lameness in Pigs: Pigs
can become lame from either trauma/injury or from infection.
Some of the more common causes of leg and foot problems are
listed below:
Lameness Caused by Trauma:
OCD-Osteochondrosis: OCD is the result of years of
selected breeding of pigs for rapid growth and larger muscle
mass, causing too much weight to be put on the growth plates
of the legs while they are immature, in combination with the
stress of intensive confinement (standing on surfaces, such
as concrete, that have no give). The growth plate can cause
the leg joints to calcify and can cause shortening and bending
of the bones. More severe cases can result in a fracture of
the growth plates of the vertebrae, causing spinal cord pressure
and nerve damage. OCD causes the legs to be weak and possibly
deformed. The weakening of the bones makes the pig more susceptible
to injury later on. Damage to the growth plates of the legs
and spine may only become evident when there is a severe trauma,
caused by mounting or falling on slick surfaces, causing further
injury to the already damaged areas.
Signs of OCD include stiff front legs when walking, very
arched back, walking up higher on hooves, and very straight
back legs. There is no cure for OCD, and most factory-raised
pigs are prone to these problems as they age. Not having the
pig on hard surfaces, keeping the pig off of slick surfaces
and using thick bedding at all times helps to prevent more
severe damage or permanent injury. If pigs are walking with
a stiff gait or have trouble rising, the use of glucosomine
supplements and pain medications can help alleviate some of
their discomfort.
Bone Fractures: Because of conditions that weaken
the bones, such as OCD listed above, or vitamin and mineral
deficiencies during the growth period, fractures are not uncommon
in domestic pigs. With a leg fracture, the signs are usually
sudden and the pig is unable to rise without difficulty. They
will also be reluctant to put any weight at all on the limb
and will have difficulty walking, since they are only using
three legs. The best method to examine the leg is when the
pig is lying down, and in many cases the break can be felt.
A veterinarian should be consulted immediately if you feel
that there is a broken bone. Pigs with weakened bones can
also be susceptible to spinal cord fractures, which are usually
not correctable. Signs of a spinal vertebra fracture include
pigs who adopt a sitting position much like a dog, with their
rump on the ground and their back legs out, along with showing
severe pain on movement. A veterinarian should always be consulted
to make this diagnosis.
Damage to muscles, tendons and ligaments: Pigs who
are kept on surfaces such as concrete that can become slippery
when wet or muddy can easily fall and damage their muscles,
ligaments or tendons. They can also be injured when fighting,
playing or mounting each other. When this happens, they may
demonstrate many of the same symptoms as they do when a bone
is fractured, so if you are uncertain of the cause of the
lameness, it is always best to consult your vet. Most damaged
muscles, ligaments and tendons require pen rest (away from
the other pigs), and pain medication. Severe tears to the
ligaments or tendons may need surgery, but again, must be
diagnosed by your large animal veterinarian.
Lameness Caused by Infection:
Foot Rot/ Hoof Infections: This condition is a result
of an infection of the claw, which becomes swollen and extremely
painful around the coronary band (the area where the hoof
meets the skin of the leg). It usually starts through an opening
on the sole of the foot (caused by a puncture wound or cut),
cracks at the coronary band, or from hoof splitting. The infection
enters through the crack, or puncture wound, and progresses
inside the hoof. The claw becomes enlarged and infection and
inflammation of the joint often develops. Because the bone
of the foot is so close to this area, left untreated, osteomyelitis
(an infection in the bone) can occur and destroy those bones
in the foot. Signs to look for include lameness/limping, swollen
claw, or swelling and heat around the coronary band, which
may form an abscess on the surface.
Treatment of this condition requires higher doses of antibiotics
for longer time periods, since a poor blood supply travels
to the infected tissue. Also, topical treatment and foot wraps
to keep the abscess clean and prevent further infection may
be required. Ichthammol wraps or the use of DMSO, are good
to draw infection to the surface and enable you to clean out
the surface infection. Antibiotic ointment wraps, or wraps
using penicillin-based ointments (usually used in mastitis
on cattle), are very helpful once the area is opened, although
if caught in time, the infection may not come to the surface
and wraps may not be needed.
Because of the weight of an adult domestic pig, prevention
of this condition is difficult. Walking on frozen, rutted
ground, or stepping on sharp stones, can cause cuts in the
foot pads. Cracks are also a problem in older pigs due to
the large amount of weight they carry. Adding Biotin, found
in supplements such as Clovite, to the feed can help strengthen
the hoof. In addition, because cracks are one of the main
causes, treating them with Kopertox and keeping them clean
is also helpful in preventing this condition. Because of the
severity of this affliction, a vet should be consulted to
provide antibiotic options and dosages.
Mycoplasma Arthritis: Micoplasma Arthritis is caused
by an organism called Mycoplasma hyosynoviae, which is common
in most commercial pig herds. It is actually a respiratory-spread
disease since the organism is found in the upper respiratory
tract of the pig. In many cases, although present, there are
no clinical signs. In other cases it can cause serious problems
when the organisms infect the joints and tendon sheaths, rather
than the respiratory system directly. The clinical signs of
the disease include the sudden onset of pain and stiffness,
and the inability to get up without a great deal of stress
and pain. To diagnose this type of Arthritis and to distinguish
it from other causes of lameness, a vet will need to examine
joint fluids for antibodies and isolation of the organism.
Another way to determine if the cause of the problem is Mycoplasma
Arthritis is if it does respond to antibiotic treatments.
Because lameness in a pig can be caused by a number of conditions,
it is always best to consult your vet for advice and treatment
options, especially if they require antibiotics.
Spinal Cord, Leg and Foot Abscess: Pigs who come from
factory farm situations have their tails docked and, in some
cases, their ears notched. These procedures are done without
anesthesia and, in many cases, in an unsterile manner. If
the tail is docked or ears are notched improperly or in unsanitary
conditions, bacteria enters the body through the area and
remains in the system. If the immune system becomes compromised
later in life, the bacteria can cause abscesses on the feet,
legs and even on the spine. Leg and foot abscesses can be
treated in most cases using heavy doses of antibiotics and
leg and foot wraps. Spinal cord abscesses are not as obvious
and not treatable. Abscesses on the spinal cord cause the
pig great pain, neurological symptoms, seizures, and, eventually,
death.
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