A survey on the prevalence of lameness in sows from three commercial pig farms selected from in and around Harare in Zimbabwe

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of lameness and determine the risk factors for its occurrence in three commercial pig farms in and around Harare. During routine health checks, the sows were examined for lameness and foot lesions present recorded. Culling records from 2005 to 2007 were viewed and the reason for culling recorded. Prevalence for lameness ranged from 0.26% to 17.14% with sows in parities four and five having higher occurrence of lameness (P value = 0.001). Sows with hoof cracks, dew claw damage, foot rot and soft tissue injury were more predisposed to lameness compared to those without the lesions (OR 7.7 - 15.4). From this study it was concluded that management factors such as type of flooring, resulted in higher prevalence of lameness by increasing the frequency for the occurrence of risk factors.

Keywords: Lameness, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Pigs