Locomotor problems

Feet

Overgrown toes will need trimming by your vet.  Ensure that the pig exercises regularly on gravel or concrete area to assist feet condition.  Ensure that any breeding animal has excellent feet.

Problems with feet and legs

 

Joints

Arthritis is not uncommon in older pigs and is made worse by wet, cold and un-bedded concrete floors.  Pigs with affected joints should be provided with dry, warm and comfortable bedding.  Serious cases of arthritic lameness will require treatment by your veterinarian.  Erysipelas is a major cause of chronic arthritis in the pig.  In pigs less than 2 years of age, falls can result in fractures of growth plates. 

 

Possible medical treatment regimes:

Pain killers such as Ibuprofen (10mg/kg body weight) two or three times a day may be useful to control the signs of arthritis.

Other non-steroidal pain relief may be provided using:

Etodolac (10-15 mg/kg by mouth once a day), Carprofen (2.2 mg/kg by mouth once a day) or Meloxicam (0.1-0.2 mg/kg by mouth once a day).

 

To support joint function consider providing Glucosamine/Chrondoitin sulphate with an initial dose of 12mg/kg glucosamine and 3.8 mg/kg chondroitin sulphate once daily for 4 weeks, then reducing to a maintenance dose of 4 mg/kg glucosamine and 1.3 mg/kg chondroitin sulphate per day.

 

 

 

Feet curl toe2

Feet supernumary overgrowth pet 2

Overgrown lateral (outer) claw which is now turning inwards.  The supernumerary digits (side) are also misshapen.

This overgrown foot is a serious welfare problem.

pig 06

pig a 54

Feet should be regularly checked and pared

Arthritic and lame pig

 

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