Week of 28-Feb-2025
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
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Week of 21-Feb-2025
There are sudden deaths in sows and finishing pigs. The only lesion detected is in the liver with discoloration, enlargement and full of gass. What is the causative agent of this lesion?
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Week of 14-Feb-2025
Sudden dead is described in growing pigs. There are no other post-mortem findings other than valvular endocarditis. What is the cause of this lesion?
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Week of 07-Feb-2025
Many piglets in different litters show erythema in the skin. What is the cause of this condition?
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Week of 31-Jan-2025
There is blood stain in the costocondral area affecting the pleura. What is the cause of this lesion?
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Week of 24-Jan-2025
This sow has a mass protruding from behind. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
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Week of 17-Jan-2025
Spinal chord compression was detected when inspecting this pig carcass. What is the cause of this lesion?
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Week of 10-Jan-2025
The unit has an increase of coughing and poor growth rates. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
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Week of 03-Jan-2025
The vet in the slaughterhouse condemns a sow with this skin lesions under welfare grounds and reports the farmer. What is the cause of these lesions?
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Week of 27-Dec-2024
Widespread petechiation and congestion of the lung. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
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Week of 20-Dec-2024
A weaner pig is laying on its side unable to walk, making paddling movements, eyes rolling and with opisthotonus. What is the cause of the problem in this case?
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Week of 06-Dec-2024
A batch of finishing pigs is presented to the slaughterhouse with skin lesions around the perineal area and lower body parts. What is the cause of this lesion?
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Week of 29-Nov-2024
A heavily pregant sow is found in the pen with blood in the vulva. What is the cause of it?
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Week of 22-Nov-2024
A first parity sow is weaned and is lame in the hindleg. There is poor response to treatment with antibiotics and NSAIDS. Separation of the head of the femur has occurred through the growth plate at post-motem. What is the cause of this condition?
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Week of 15-Nov-2024
Pigs around 15 weeks old develop purple patches over the hindquarters extending to all over the body. Mortality is high. What is the cause of this lesion?
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Week of 08-Nov-2024
These piglets died within 24 hours after injecting dextran iron in the leg at 2 days old. What is the cause of this condition?
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Week of 01-Nov-2024
The weaner pig on the left is pale when compared with a normal weaner on the right. These pale pigs are slow growing. What is the cause of the problem in this case?
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Week of 25-Oct-2024
These piglets are stunt with distended abdomens. The perineal area in these pigs is abnormal at inspection. What is the cause of this condition?
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Week of 18-Oct-2024
This pregnant sow is constantly biting the bar above the feeder. What is the most likely cause of this condition?
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Week of 11-Oct-2024
This sow has large brown scales on the skin over the back. What is the cause of this condition?
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Week of 04-Oct-2024
This gilt is pale and has a bloody diarrhoea. What is the cause of this condition?
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Week of 27-Sep-2024
Multiple lung abscessation (Pyaemia) is detected when doing a post-mortem in a finishing pig. What is the cause of this lesion?
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Week of 20-Sep-2024
There is an increase of regular and irregular returns in the breeding herd accompanied by abortions, stillborns and mummified piglets. All parities are affected. What is the cause of abortion in this picture?
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Week of 13-Sep-2024
Sudden death in 6 – 8 weeks old weaner pigs. Carcasses are pale. There is haemorrhagic abdominal fluid with clotted blood strands and hepatic rupture. Excess of fluid in the thorax. Heart and muscles are pale. What is the most likely cause?
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Week of 06-Sep-2024
This pig had a good body condition, was anaemic and died suddenly. The intestinal content is dark black. What is the most likely cause?
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Week of 30-Aug-2024
This sow has reddening of skin and considerable pain. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
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Week of 23-Aug-2024
This pig had a good body condition, was anaemic and died suddenly. The stomach had a dark black content inside.
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Week of 16-Aug-2024
Necrotic lesions in the feet of a weaner pig. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?