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.
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.
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Overgrown lateral (outer) claw which is now turning inwards. The supernumerary digits (side) are also misshapen. |
This overgrown foot is a serious welfare problem. |
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Feet should be regularly checked and pared |
Arthritic and lame pig |