LAMINITIS IN CULLED SOWS FROM COMMERCIAL SWINE FARMS OF SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Abstract

Although laminitis has been reported in pigs, distal phalanx rotation detected by radiography has not been described yet in this species. Accordingly, this paper describes three cases of laminitis in sows from a Brazilian commercial swine unit, and a preliminary study on laminitis in culled sows from a slaughterhouse, based on radiographic evaluation. A farrow-to-finish unit located in a central swine production area in southern Brazil showed a history of locomotor alterations in sows. Three lame sows were selected for examination. They displayed typical clinical signs of laminitis. Their feet were radiographed, and all three showed distal phalanx deviation in at least one digit. In order to find out the possibility of laminitis occurrence in other farms, thirteen hind and five front feet from lame sows were collected in a slaughterhouse, and radiographed in lateromedial position. Eleven sows (61%) showed distal phalanx rotation of the third or the fourth digit, whereas eight of them (44%) showed this alteration in both digits. Osteolysis in five sows (28%) and periosteal proliferation in another four sows (11%) were observed. In conclusion, laminitis with distal phalanx rotation is present in Brazilian herds, and radiographic analysis may be an important diagnosis tool for the disease in vivo or at slaughterhouses.