Validation of Standing and Locomotion Scoring, Behavioral Assessments, and Mechanical Nociceptive Threshold Testing on Naturally Occurring Sow Lameness
Anna K. Forseth,
Locke A. Karriker,
Suzanne T. Millman,
Kenneth J. Stalder,
Rebecca L. Parsons,
Samaneh Azarpajouh,
Anna K. Johnson
Affiliations
Anna K. Forseth
Swine Medicine Education Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Locke A. Karriker
Swine Medicine Education Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Suzanne T. Millman
Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine and Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Kenneth J. Stalder
Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Rebecca L. Parsons
Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine and Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Samaneh Azarpajouh
Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Anna K. Johnson
Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
The objective of this study was to validate standing and locomotion lameness scoring, mechanical nociceptive threshold testing, and behavioral profile tools for the diagnosis of naturally occurring lameness etiologies in pigs. A total of 55 crossbred gilts and sows obtained from a commercial farm were enrolled in the study; with sound pigs classified as controls (8) and the remainder as lame due to integumentary (20), musculoskeletal (15), and combinations of integumentary and musculoskeletal (12) etiologies. Standing and locomotion lameness, mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) test, pig-human interventions, and latency to complete an obstacle course were evaluated. Standing and locomotion lameness scoring systems, MNT, and pig behavior (latency) were capable of discriminating between animals with mild organic lameness and animals that were sound and may have utility on the farm for staff to use to identify and manage lame animals. In rare instances, the tools used here were able to discriminate between broad categories of lameness etiology.
