Causes and Control Measures for Sow Limb and Hoof Diseases

Source: Internet

Sow limb and hoof diseases are a collective term for disorders affecting the limbs and hooves of sows, including hereditary limb and hoof diseases, infectious limb and hoof diseases, and non-hereditary, non-infectious limb and hoof diseases. Hereditary limb and hoof diseases include conditions such as valgus legs, thickening of the forelimbs, single-toedness, and polydactyly. Infectious limb and hoof diseases include foot-and-mouth disease, streptococcosis, and staphylococcosis. Haemophilus parasuis Diseases include non-genetic, non-infectious limb and hoof disorders such as deformed hooves, deformed limbs, soft-tissue injuries, bone injuries, purulent inflammation, rheumatic arthritis, rheumatic muscle conditions of the legs, and paralysis. Deformed hooves can manifest as overly long hooves, overly wide hooves, curled hooves, or hoof cracks.
1 Causes of Sow Limb and Hoof Disorders
1.1 Genetic factors
    The occurrence of foot and leg diseases in sows is clearly influenced by genetic factors, and the incidence varies significantly among different breeds. Highly bred, lean-type pigs introduced from other regions have a higher incidence rate, with pigs exhibiting excessive development of the gluteal muscles being particularly susceptible. In contrast, local Chinese breeds, foreign breeds, and crossbreeds between local and foreign breeds are less likely to develop these conditions.
1.2 Environmental factors
1.2.1 Cold weather factor
    Every year, as winter and the cold season set in, the incidence of hoof cracks in sows on pig farms noticeably increases. This is because, as autumn and winter approach, the weather gradually shifts from warm to cool and then to cold. As a result, the capillaries in the pigs’ skin contract, and the sebaceous glands’ secretory function declines, leading to reduced lipid secretion. Consequently, the hoof horn becomes harder and more brittle, making it prone to cracking and thus triggering hoof diseases. Additionally, during winter, cold winds and dry air can also cause the hoof horn to become brittle and easily cracked. Therefore, the degree of openness in pig houses is closely related to the occurrence of hoof diseases.
1.2.2 Barn floor factors
    Currently, in China, with the exception of a few large-scale, modernized pig farms, the sows... Piggy In addition to using insulated flooring materials, most small- and medium-sized pig farms typically employ concrete-poured floors. Cement floors, first of all, are not thermally efficient. According to tests, during cold winters, when sows lie on wooden bedding, the temperature at the point of contact can reach... 10 ℃ needed 2 About an hour later, the temperature on the concrete floor rose to... 10 ℃ needed 8 About an hour or so; secondly, cement floors that are too rough can easily cause damage to the foot pads, bruising of the hooves, hyperplasia of the hoof sole, and injuries to joints and soft tissues, leading to lameness. Furthermore, in some pig farms, cement floors are excessively smooth. When cooling measures such as dripping water, spraying mist, or sprinkling water on the floor are implemented during humid conditions or hot summer weather, sows are prone to slipping, falling, sustaining contusions, or even fractures. Additionally, this could also result in maternal... Pig abortion Additionally, in early spring, sows are prone to developing rheumatic conditions in their leg muscles.
1.2.3 Pigsty Hygiene Factors
   The environmental hygiene of pig houses is closely related to foot and leg diseases in sows. Some pig farms, in their pursuit of cleanliness, excessively wash sow houses and floors. If the floor drainage is inadequate, water can accumulate for long periods in the areas where sows lie down, leading to high humidity inside the house. Ventilation Poor conditions can easily cause sows’ joints and leg muscles to remain cold for extended periods, leading to muscle rheumatism and joint rheumatism. In some cases, sows’ hooves are immersed in water for long periods, causing the hoof walls to soften, reducing their load-bearing capacity and ultimately resulting in a loss of supporting function.
1.3 Nutritional factors
    Sow limb and hoof diseases and Feed Nutrition is directly related to this issue. Although most pig farms currently use complete formulated feed, for various reasons—including the quality and content of raw materials, storage and processing conditions, and feeding methods—certain nutritional components in the feed may be either over-supplied, under-supplied, or imbalanced.
1.3.1 Malnutrition or overnutrition
    Sows have different nutritional requirements at various stages of production. For example, after weaning, sows should continue to be fed a lactation diet with relatively high energy and protein content, and the free-choice feeding method should still be adopted to promote the sow’s recovery after weaning. 3-7 Heat within three days Mating ; From the end of mating to pregnancy 11 During the gestation period, particularly in the early and mid-stages, sows should be fed a diet with lower energy and protein content (compared to lactation diets), and feeding should be done on a restricted-quantity basis. From the time of gestation... 12 Start feeding late-pregnancy feed at the beginning of the week and increase the feeding amount to promote rapid fetal growth and development, thereby enhancing... Piglet High birth weight. This ensures both adequate nutritional supply and maintains the sow’s good body condition.
But in practice Raising pigs In production, the author has encountered cases where some breeding sows, due to prolonged malnutrition or excessively long lactation periods, became severely emaciated, with weak limbs and hooves, making it difficult for them to walk. In other cases, sows suffered from overnutrition and excessive obesity, causing their limbs and hooves to endure an abnormally high degree of constant support, leading to chronic overload. This resulted in weakness of the leg muscles and joint ligaments, and simultaneously caused problems in the sows themselves. Dystocia in pigs The likelihood increases and lactation capacity declines.
1.3.2 Vitamin Lack of
    ( 1 ) Vitamin D Deficiency: Sows, especially pregnant and lactating sows, require higher levels of vitamins. D Today, in industrial pig farming, the rearing of breeding sows is essentially fully enclosed, making it impossible for pigs to produce vitamin D through exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. 7- Dehydrocholesterol is converted into vitamin. D3 Therefore, it’s easy to cause vitamin deficiencies in sows. D The lack of.
    Vitamin D Its primary function is to enhance the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in animals and their deposition in bones, promote the normal development of bones and teeth, and regulate the balance of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Vitamin D Deficiency can impair the absorption and deposition of calcium and phosphorus in sows. In addition to symptoms such as decreased appetite, rough coat, and weight loss, severe cases may lead to tonic spasms, lameness, weak legs, osteoporosis, paralysis, and recumbency.
   ( 2 ) Biotin Deficiency: Adding biotin to the sows’ diet can increase the hardness, compressibility, and compressive strength of their hoof walls, improve skin and coat condition, and reduce symptoms such as hoof wall fragmentation and sole pad injuries. At the same time, it can also significantly enhance the reproductive performance of sows. Biotin deficiency leads to slow growth in pigs, rough and scaly coats with numerous scales and wrinkles, scaling on the skin of the legs and hooves, transverse cracks in the hooves, wear-and-tear cracks on the hoof soles accompanied by bleeding—when cleaning the pens, you’ll notice bloodstains on the floor. Additionally, biotin deficiency can cause delayed estrus in sows, reduced litter sizes, increased incidence of weak piglets, and stillbirths. Mummy Fetal increase.
    The causes of biotin deficiency are as follows: First, the feed does not contain sufficient biotin; second, cement floors and stall systems isolate pigs from their manure and soil, thereby cutting off the sow’s access to biotin absorbed from soil and manure; third, certain components in the feed can hinder biotin absorption—for example, mycotoxins can directly affect the absorption and utilization of various vitamins, including biotin. Additionally, the addition of choline chloride to feed can antagonize biotin absorption. Feeding... Sulfonamides The drug can inhibit the synthesis of biotin by intestinal microorganisms.
1.3.3 Mineral deficiency
    Calcium and phosphorus are two of the more important mineral elements, serving as essential components of bones and teeth. Deficiencies in calcium and phosphorus, or an improper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, along with vitamin... D The symptoms of deficiency are the same: decreased appetite, Wasting away Limping, brittle bones, difficulty standing or walking, paralysis, and so on.
1.3.4 Trace element deficiency
   ( 1 ) Selenium: The selenium requirement for pigs is 0.1–0.3 milligram / Kilogram. Selenium and Vitamin And E Both have antioxidant effects. When sows are deficient in selenium, their body’s antioxidant capacity declines, leading to an increase in free radicals and causing lipid peroxidation of biological membranes. This disrupts the normal structure of biological membranes and may contribute to the development of foot-and-leg disorders.
   ( 2 Zinc: Zinc is a constituent of many enzymes and plays an important role in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. It also helps maintain the normal structure and growth of epithelial cells and hair coat. In sows with zinc deficiency, growth stagnation, reduced appetite, and skin keratinization are observed. Meanwhile, cartilage growth is impaired, leading to osteoporosis, joint swelling, and widespread skeletal deformities—including functional impairment of the leg bones.
1.4 Bacterial infection
    According to reports, the occurrence of limb and hoof diseases in sows is closely associated with infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Corynebacterium pyogenes, and Haemophilus parasuis. These pathogens invade joints such as the carpus, hooves, and elbow of sows, triggering inflammatory responses characterized by redness, swelling, heat, pain, and impaired function. With very few exceptions where prolonged treatment leads to recovery, most sows are culled due to difficulty walking.
1.5 Lack of exercise
    Currently, many large-scale pig farms raise pregnant sows in gestation stalls, keeping them confined to these stalls from the time of mating until just before farrowing. 5-7 Giving birth and nursing in a “bed” suspended in the sky. After weaning, coming into heat, and being bred, she’s then confined to a restraint crate until farrowing. 1 Zhou was then transferred to the farrowing room, where she was placed on a bed to give birth. This cycle repeated itself throughout the sow’s entire life—she remained confined in a “pen” from birth until the end of her days.
     This type of housing in gestation crates restricts sows’ freedom of movement, leading to an increased incidence of dog-sitting behavior, as well as higher rates of vaginitis and endometritis, thereby impairing the sows’ reproductive performance. The environment in gestation crates is monotonous and lacks effective environmental stimulation, resulting in a rise in stereotypic behaviors such as bar-biting and oral chewing. Moreover, due to the lack of exercise in gestation crate housing, sows experience weakened intestinal muscles and slowed intestinal peristalsis, which can lead to... Constipation Body condition declines, and the rate of dystocia increases. Due to weakened immunity, sows become more susceptible to various pathogens, leading to a higher incidence of disease—particularly noticeable is the increase in limb and hoof disorders among sows raised in gestation crates. Expert studies have found that long-term confinement in gestation crates can directly affect cardiovascular and pulmonary functions; necropsies reveal global cardiac dilation, especially in the right ventricle and right atrium, with softening of the myocardium.
2 Prevention and Control Measures
2.1 Prevention
2.1.1 Carefully selected and bred varieties
    When selecting and introducing breeds, choose animals with strong and robust limbs, moderate height and body size, and good posture. They should walk with a vigorous and powerful gait and be free from limb and hoof diseases (including being free from lameness). Breeding pigs ; Examine pedigrees and refuse to introduce breeding pigs with genetic defects. In this farm, carefully select and retain breeding stock, and strictly prevent inbreeding.
2.1.2 Strengthen nutritional supply
    Provide sows with nutritionally rich and balanced complete compound feed tailored to their respective production stages, ensuring an adequate supply of energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins in the feed. In particular, it is important to supplement biotin and vitamins appropriately. D Sodium selenite vitamin And E The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in the feed should be appropriate; essential amino acids must be balanced. If conditions permit, sows can be given moderate sun exposure, which can enhance the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. It is strictly prohibited to feed pigs with feed contaminated by molds.
2.1.3 Improve the ground structure
    Currently, the floors in most sow housing facilities are essentially concrete. Therefore, the floor surface must neither be too rough nor overly smooth; the coefficient of friction of the floor should be... 0.2–0.4 It is advisable; and ensure a certain slope with a height difference between the front and back. 15-20 Centimeters—water should flow smoothly into the manure channel behind the pigs, with no standing water allowed. Of course, some pig farms have fully slatted floors. Floor It can achieve insulation, prevent water accumulation, and provide a sturdy surface.
2.1.4 Reasonably increase exercise.
    Insufficient exercise is one of the primary causes of limb and hoof disorders in sows. Therefore, providing sows with adequate exercise is an important measure for preventing and reducing the incidence of such disorders. Although theoretically it makes sense to provide sows with a certain amount of exercise space and allow them to take turns exercising—thus compensating for insufficient physical activity—practical implementation in large-scale pig farms faces numerous challenges, such as lack of suitable space, aggression among sows, and the need for dedicated personnel to supervise them. In my view, a better solution would be to combine stall housing with free-range pen systems—that is, to incorporate a free-range pen stage into the design of the farm’s production process. 500 Taking the head-producing sow farm as an example, the average weekly mating rate is approximately... 24 Sow, breeding and farrowing rate according to 85% Calculate, approximately 20 The sow gives birth to piglets every month. 4 Batch. Therefore, the number of activity pens for sows in the late stages of pregnancy can be set as follows: 4 Batch × 22 One column, that is... 88 an activity bar, 2 Mi × ( 3.5–4.0 ) Rice / Column, multiple per batch 2 The pen serves as a mobile backup; after mating 23-25 After the pregnancy test confirms the presence of an embryo, the animal will be kept in the confinement pen until... 75 Then, the sow is moved from the restraint crate to a free-range pen, with one pig per pen, and raised in the free-range pen until... 107 The sky is adjusted again to the delivery room.
    When designing activity areas, you can consider integrating them with gestation sow housing (crate stalls). It’s advisable to adopt a double-row, three-aisle layout, with the central aisle dedicated to feeding and the two side aisles for manure removal. For example, in an entire gestation building, one design approach could involve dividing it into... 3 The space is divided into two sections, with one room left in the middle. Half of this room is designated as the caretaker’s quarters (providing accommodation for caretakers who live on-site at pig farms located in the production area). The other half can serve as a storage area for feed and animal husbandry equipment (connected to both the restraint pen area and the exercise pen area). The remaining two sections of the gestation housing are dedicated to the restraint pens and the exercise pens, respectively. Another design approach involves dividing the entire gestation housing into two separate areas—one for restraint pens and the other for exercise pens—while the caretakers reside in the living quarters.
     Thus, each production cycle of the sow has... 1 A month of free-range activity can not only significantly reduce the incidence of limb and hoof diseases but also greatly improve the overall condition of pigs. Sows, as if emerging from a long-term “confinement,” feel liberated and become “cheerful and elated.” At the same time, this approach reduces stress, strengthens their physical health, and lays a solid foundation for smooth farrowing.
2.2 Treatment
    For sows already affected by limb and hoof diseases, symptomatic treatment combined with addressing the root cause should be adopted based on the underlying etiology.
2.2.1 Rheumatic muscle pain or rheumatoid arthritis
    Administer by intramuscular or intravenous injection of Zhenbaifeng Tongkang (trade name: Naproxen Injection; active ingredients: naproxen and sodium salicylate). 0.1 Milliliter / Kilograms of body weight; or intramuscular injection of Buzhong Tongtong (paracetamol injection). 0.05–0.1 Milliliter / Kilograms of body weight; simultaneously combined with antibacterial drug therapy.
2.2.2 Calcium deficiency
    Due to calcium deficiency, sows may exhibit limb weakness and toe flexion with recumbency. Each sow can be administered intravenously: ① 10% Glucose aqueous solution 500 Milliliter + 10% Calcium Gluconate Injection 100-150 Milliliters, mixed intravenous infusion; ② Normal saline 500 Milliliter + Vitamin B1200-400 Milligram.
2.2.3 Bacterial limb and hoof swelling
      Hard swelling or purulent ulceration of limb joints or hoof joints, suspected to be caused by staphylococci or streptococci, may be treated with penicillin via intramuscular or intravenous injection. 2 Ten thousand -3 Ten thousand units / kilograms of body weight) or amoxicillin sodium for injection ( 1 Support /50 kilograms of body weight), or sodium cefotaxime can also be administered by intravenous drip. 50 milligram / kilograms of body weight); and combine with intramuscular injections of Zhenbaifeng Tongkang or Buzhongtongxiao to relieve pain symptoms.
For those that have already become suppurated. Ulceration After thoroughly cleaning the hoof with hydrogen peroxide (an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide), apply gentian violet solution in several applications to prevent reinfection.
     In addition, sows suffering from foot lesions in the affected limb must be isolated in a movable pen (bedded area) for treatment, and provided with sufficient feed. Drinking water In addition, by providing appropriate amounts of green feed, most sows suffering from foot-and-claw diseases can regain their health after a period of careful treatment and nursing, as their own immune resistance gradually strengthens. For sows with average production performance, severe conditions, and poor treatment outcomes, culling may be considered on a case-by-case basis.