Lameness in Pigs

Lameness is a frequently encountered clinical manifestation of different locomotory disorders affecting all age groups of modern pig herds. It results in decreased animal welfare and health and economic losses to pork producers (Anil et al. J Am Vet Med Assoc 226:956–961, 2005; Heinonen et al. Livest Sci 156:2–9, 2013). Lameness is a multifactorial condition with infectious, nutritional, housing, managemental, and/or genetic components. It is of great importance to detect the lame pigs, diagnose the cause of lameness, treat them efficiently, and move them to a sick pen whenever needed. In addition, culling should be considered without delay to prevent unnecessary suffering of the animals (Heinonen et al. Vet Rec 159:383–387, 2006). The final aim is to prevent lameness efficiently. This chapter elaborates on current knowledge about lameness in pigs, with emphasis on the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.