Week of 10-Aug-2018
An increase of “humpy-back” pigs from 6 to 8 weeks of age was detected in this unit afecting up to 5% of the feeding herd with irrelevance of the sex. What is the cause of this lesion?
Results
incorrect answer
The present form of lordosis and kyphosis was affecting up to 5% of the feeding herd with irrelevance of the sex, although males were more affected than females. This could be related to the fast growth rate of them over the females. The finding of bony exostoses in the ribs and the thickened costochondral junctions at post-mortem examination leaded to a metabolic disorder related to the diet by causing decreased mineralisation of the bone. The early onset of the problem combined with lameness from 5 weeks of age made the suspicion that the problem could have started during the foetal stage. Therefore, dry sow diets were the main focus of investigation. High levels of vitamin A and poor Ca:P ratio were detected in the dry sow diets. The correction of the diets improved the situation.
Kyphosis in pigs may develop secondary to a number of different primary lesions located in the vertebrae, such as osteomyelitis, fractures, neoplasm and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, painful conditions of the legs and back, musculo-mechanical stress on the lumbar spine, early onset of puberty in male pigs and intrauterine viral infections have been proposed as causes of kyphosis in pigs. Suggestions of genetic involvement have been suggested.
Kyphosis and lordosis could be a factor of carcass downgrading as a consequence of the difficulty of processing the muscles around the backbone by the butcher.
Photo of the week
Week of 19-Apr-2024
Which disease could cause this type of lesion?
Week of 12-Apr-2024
What is the likely cause of this lesion seen in >10% of lungs in slaughter pigs each week from a breeder feeder farm?
Week of 05-Apr-2024
The ulcer shown is in the preputial diverticulum of an adult boar culled due to persistent haemorrhage in the ejaculate. What is the likely cause?
Week of 28-Mar-2024
This non-fatal scour is seen in piglets from 10 days of age. What is the most likely primary cause?
Week of 22-Mar-2024
Which infectious disease is the most likely cause of the haemorrhages visible on the serosal surfaces of this growing pig which was found dead?
Week of 15-Mar-2024
What is the cause of the liver lesion in this heavily pregnant sow found dead?
Week of 08-Mar-2024
Is there anything strange about any of the pigs in the photo?
Week of 23-Feb-2024
This 6-week-old pig has non-pruritic lesions on the skin. What can it be?
Week of 16-Feb-2024
What is the most likey cause of the lesion seen in a single 10 day old piglet on an outdoor pig unit in January?
Week of 08-Feb-2024
A first parity weaned sow can not hold her weight. It shows poor response to antibiotics and NSAIDS. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
Week of 02-Feb-2024
What is the most likely cause of this condition?
Week of 19-Jan-2024
There is a disease outbreak with sudden deaths, inappetence, high fever and difficult breathing in pigs from 15 weeks until slaughter. The slaughterhouse inspection shows lungs like those in the image. What is the most likely cause?
Week of 12-Jan-2024
There is an arthritis and skin lesion associated increase in condemnation rates at the slaughterhouse. What is the most likely cause of this problem?
Week of 05-Jan-2024
This is a 7 day old piglet that was born with this condition on the skin. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
Week of 29-Dec-2023
This lesion is caused by:
Week of 22-Dec-2023
This lesion is caused by:
Week of 08-Dec-2023
This piglet is lethargic and non-pruritic. What is the cause of this condition?
Week of 01-Dec-2023
The following lesion is occasionally seen on the placenta following a normal full term farrowing. What is it and what is its significance?
Week of 24-Nov-2023
In this confinement stall the slat level is below the passageway and the rear door is tight to the floor. Which of the following comments is true
Week of 17-Nov-2023
A dry white deposit is evident on the mucosal surface of the vulva of a sow served 25 days previously. What is it and what is its significance?
Week of 10-Nov-2023
There is an increase in pigs with a swollen mass behind the rear legs, below the anus. It is most frequently located on the side. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
Week of 03-Nov-2023
What caused the sudden death of this 8 week old weaner?
Week of 20-Oct-2023
Mesenteric lymph nodes enlargement are more likely consistent with:
Week of 13-Oct-2023
In which production phase is this finding more frequently observed?
Week of 06-Oct-2023
What is the aetiological cause of this lesion?
Week of 29-Sep-2023
How is the texture of these organs?
Week of 22-Sep-2023
The turbinate lesion is due to: