Lameness is one of the most common and welfare-significant conditions in breeding sows, yet it is frequently underdiagnosed and inadequately treated in commercial herds.
Lameness pain in sows is chronic and progressive. A lame sow experiences pain at every step — to the feeder, to the drinker, and when getting up and lying down. Yet sows frequently continue to eat and function despite significant lameness because the motivation to feed is strong. This stoicism masks the severity of suffering from casual observation. Regular gait scoring using standardized scales catches lameness before it becomes severe, enabling earlier treatment. Hoof trimming, appropriate floor surfaces, and prompt veterinary treatment of digital infections are the foundations of sow lameness control — and directly improve both welfare and productivity.