Understanding and reducing sow lameness — a leading cause of premature culling and chronic welfare impairment.
Sow lameness represents one of the most significant and persistent welfare challenges in pig production. A lame sow cannot move to food and water freely, is often bullied by pen-mates, cannot express normal social behaviour, and experiences chronic pain from foot lesions or joint infection. The welfare compromise of a lame sow maintained in the breeding herd is substantial.
Foot lesions — overgrown claws, white line disease, and sole ulcers — are the most common cause of sow lameness. These are directly analogous to dairy cow lameness and cause similar levels of pain. Joint infections (particularly from Streptococcus suis and Erysipelothrix) cause acute severe lameness with swollen, hot joints.
Prevention requires good flooring (appropriate slat width and gap, with rubber mats in key areas), regular hoof trimming, body condition management, and prompt treatment of any emerging lameness. Euthanasia should be implemented without delay for sows where treatment has failed and welfare is severely compromised.