Prevalence of lesions and body condition scores among female swine at slaughter

Objective-To determine prevalence of foot lesions, dermatitis, shoulder les ions, mammary gland abnormalities, and visceral lesions, and body condition scores among culled female swine at slaughter. Design-Observational study. Animals-Culled gifts and sows killed during a 1-week period at a Midwest sl aughterhouse. Procedure-Carcasses were examined, and lesions were recorded, Body conditio n was scored on the basis of standard criteria. Results-58.9% (1,029/1,747) of the carcasses had foot lesions, 67.3% (1,178 /1,751) had dermatitis, and 4.6% (80/1,751) had shoulder lesions. Body cond ition score was significantly associated with detection of dermatitis and s houlder lesions. Mean +/- SE number of teats (n = 1,432 carcasses) was 13.8 6 +/- 0.02. Mean numbers of normal-appearing teats in the left and right ma mmary chains were 6.57 +/- 0.02 and 6.58 +/- 0.02, respectively. Feet from 48% (688/1,433) of the carcasses were condemned. Visceral lesions were foun d in 48.8% (624/1,278) of the carcasses; of the carcasses with lesions, 412 (66%) had liver spots, and 268 (42.9%) had pneumonia. Clinical implications-Lesions that potentially could have adversely affecte d production were found in a large percentage of culled gills and sows at s laughter. Knowledge of lesions commonly found at slaughter may help direct changes in herd health programs.