title: [Prevalence of herd specific factors and limb disorders, and their associations in intensive swine production].
abstract: A longitudinal observational study in 180 pig breeding herds was performed to calculate prevalences of herd specific factors as well as typical limb disorders and to estimate their associations in a 2-step regression analysis. Regarding herd size, genetics, feeding and weight gain herds were distributed almost equal. The population density and the hygiene status were considered proper in most herds. In the farrowing units partially slatted floors of metal or plastic with slats > 9 mm, in the weaning units fully slatted floors of plastic, and in the rearing units fully slatted floors of concrete were most common. Less than 6% of the farms housed their pigs on solid concrete with straw bedding. Herd prevalences of fault floors varied between 18 and 43%. As a herd health problem (morbidity > 25%) claw hematomas and limb abrasions in just 1-week old piglets, overgrown claws and bursa swellings in weaned pigs, and bursa swellings in rearing pigs were wide spread. Leg deformations by osteopathy or arthritis occurred only sporadically. In the risk analysis claw hematomas of piglets were associated with slatted floors, particulary with slats < 10 mm. Abrasions were associated with concrete and rough floor surfaces at all. Overgrown claws and bursa swellings in weaned and in rearing pigs were associated with damaged, slippery or rough floor surfaces. Other associations were not detected. The quality of floor might be more important than the type of housing.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Klauentiere, Freie Universität, Berlin.
authors.forename: Karl Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lahrmann
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dahms
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Heller
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D005121:Extremities / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006724:Hoof and Claw / Q000293:injuries*; D006799:Housing, Animal; D006920:Hygiene; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011156:Population Density; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013552:Swine / Q000293:injuries*; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*