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Bulletin No. 17 - Winter 2003
Miscelleanous- No Category
ZORIC M, STERN S, LUNDEHEIM N, WALLGREN P
Four-year study of lameness in piglets at a research station.
Veterinary Record, 2003, Volume 153, 323-328
BO98410
A total of 9411 liveborn piglets were included in this study carried out at a research station in Sweden during a four-year period. Arthritis was defined as lameness and/or visibly swollen joints and analyzed statistically in relation to age, sex, weight at birth, parity, litter size, health status of dam, age of iron injection and calendar month. Lameness was diagnosed in 9.8% of the piglets. The first three weeks of life represented the higher risk incidence of lameness which greatly decreases after weaning. Neither significant difference in the incidence of arthritis between gilts and barrows neither relationship with weight at birth were demonstrated. In contrast, a significant influence of parity of sow was recorded. Experienced dams of parity 4 had significantly lower incidence of lameness among their piglets than gilts and younger sows. However, lameness was more frequent in piglets born to sows of parity 8 and 9. In addition, litters with 12 or more piglets were more affected by arthritis than those with less than 12 piglets. The prevalence of arthritis was also higher in the coldest months of the year. No significant relationship could be demonstrated for the other foregoing factors.
