Osteochondrosis/osteoarthrosis and claw disorders in sows, associated withleg weakness

The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between dif ferent leg weakness symptoms and osteochondrosis/ostcoarthrosis and claw di sorders in sows together with the influence of age on these findings. One h undred and seventeen sows in one herd were followed from 6 months of age un til culling and judged for leg weakness once in every gestation using a sca le from 1 (normal) to 4 (severe changes). At slaughter changes in joints, g rowth plates and claws were scored on a scale from 1 (normal) to 5 (very se vere changes). Osteoarthrotic changes were strongly associated with osteoch ondral changes in humeral and femoral condyles. The clinical signs of osteo chondrosis and osteoarthrosis were found to be: buck-kneed forelegs, turn o ut of fore and hind legs, upright pasterns on hind legs, stiff locomotion, lameness and tendency to slip. The clinical signs of claw lesions were foun d to be: buck-kneed forelegs, upright pasterns, steep hock joints, turn out of hind legs, standing under position on hind legs, stiff movements, swayi ng hindquarters, goose-stepping hind legs, tendency to slip and lameness. O vergrown claws were strongly associated with leg weakness indicating the ne ed for claw trimming in sow populations.