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Foot lesions and forelimb skin abrasions in suckling piglets: development and risk factors.

Marcus HeimannMaria HartmannFritjof FreiseLothar KreienbrockElisabeth Grosse Beilage
Published in: Porcine health management (2024)
Foot and forelimb lesions in new-born piglets are mainly induced by the floor. The effect of slatted plastic floors on heel bruising showed an overwhelming OR of 52.89 (CI 26.29-106.43). Notably, coronary band lesions in young suckling piglets occur on slatted as well as non-slatted floors, indicating that the piglets incur these injuries not only from the wedging of their feet into the gaps between slats but also from contact with the floor while suckling. Based on these findings, preventive measures should be redirected to the improvement of the floor in the farrowing pen, particularly in the area under the sow's udder.
Keyphrases
  • risk factors
  • coronary artery
  • gestational age
  • ejection fraction