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LEG Weakness In Pigs

“Leg weakness” hos gris. I. Forekomst og relasjon til skjelettlesjoner, forstyrke, protein- og mineraltilførsel, mosjon og eksteriør

I. Incidence and Relationship to Skeletal Lesions, Feed Level, Protein and Mineral Supply, Exercise and Exterior Conformation

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 15, pages 555–573 (1974)Cite this article

Abstract

Out of 373 Landrace boars and gilts involved in feeding experiments, 18.2 % showed severe degree leg weakness and 30 % mild degree leg weakness at 100 kg live weight. Of the boars at pig A.I. stations 23.9 % were slaughtered because of leg weakness, 75 % of these being under 1½ years. The practical significance of leg weakness is greatest in young breeding stock. High feed level in slaughter pigs resulted in poorer locomotory ability than medium feed level. Exercise resulted in pigs showing better movements. Variations of minerals and protein within limits used in practical feeding did not have any influence on the incidence of leg weakness. There was no statistically significant relationship (P > 0.05) between joint lesions and locomotory ability in pigs at 100 kg live weight, although severe lesions seemed to lead to poorer mobility. The joint regions which seemed to be mainly involved in severe degree leg weakness in boars were the elbow and stifle joints (31.3 %), the lumbar intervertebral joints (28.1 %) and the hip region (15.6 %). There was a significant relationship between narrow lumbar region, broad hams, large relative width between the stifle joints, and poor locomotory ability in slaughter pigs.

Sammendrag

Av 373 landsvinråner og -purker i foringsforsøk viste 18,2 % sterk grad og 30 % svak grad “leg weakness” ved 100 kg levende vekt. 23,9 % av avlsråner fra seminstasjonene ble slaktet p.g.a. sterk grad “leg weakness”. 75 % av disse var under 1% år. Den praktiske betydning av “leg weakness” er størst hos unge avlsdyr. Sterk foring av slaktegriser førte til dårligere bevegelsesevne enn middels sterk foring. Mosjon ga grisene sikrere og spenstigere bevegelser. Variasjon i mineral- og proteinmengden innenfor praktiske grenser for foring hadde ingen innflytelse på forekomst av “leg weakness”. Det var ingen statistisk sikker sammenheng (P > 0,05) mellom leddlesjoner og bevegelsesevne hos griser ved 100 kg levende vekt, men store lesjoner syntes å føre til nedsatt bevegelsesevne. Hos avlsdyr var det sterk sammenheng mellom leddlesjoner og bevegelsesevne. De leddavdelinger som syntes å være mest ansvarlige for sterk grad „leg weakness“ hos råner var albue- og bakkneledd (31,3 %), intervertebralledd i lumbalregionen (28,1 %), og hofteledd (15,6 %). Slaktegris med smalt lendeparti, brede skinker og stor relativ bredde mellom bakkne syntes å være predisponert for “leg weakness”.

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  1. Department of Pathology, Veterinary College of Norway, Postboks 8146, Oslo Dep., Oslo 1, Norway

    Trygue Grøndalen

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Grøndalen, T. LEG Weakness In Pigs. Acta Vet Scand 15, 555–573 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03547226

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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

ISSN: 1751-0147