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Introduction: Claw lesions significantly contribute to lameness, greatly affecting sow welfare. This study investigated different factors that would impact the severity of claw lesions in the sows of Brazilian commercial herds. Methods: A total of 129 herds (n = 12,364 sows) were included in the study. Herds were in the Midwest, Southeast, or South regions of Brazil. Inventory sizes were stratified into 250-810 sows, 811-1,300 sows, 1,301-3,000 sows, and 3,001-10,000 sows. Herds belonged to Cooperative (Coop), Integrator, or Independent structures. The herd management was conducted either maintaining breeds from stock on-site (internal), or through purchase of commercially available genetics (external). Herds adopted either individual crates or group housing during gestation. Within each farm, one randomly selected group of sows was scored by the same evaluator (two independent experts evaluated a total of 129 herds) from 0 (none) to 3 (severe) for heel overgrowth and erosion (HOE), heel-sole crack (HSC), separation along the white line (WL), horizontal (CHW) and vertical (CVW) wall cracks, and overgrown toes (T), or dewclaws (DC) in the hind legs after parturition. The study assessed differences and similarities between herds using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering (HAC) analysis. The effects of factors (i.e., production structure, management, housing during gestation, and region) were assessed using the partial least squares method (PLS). Results and discussion: Heel overgrowth and erosion had the highest prevalence, followed by WL and CHW, while the lowest scores were observed for T, DC, and CVW. Herds were grouped in three clusters (i.e., C1, C2, and C3). Heel overgrowth and erosion, HSC, WL, CHW, CVW, and T were decreased by 17, 25, 11, 25, 21, and 17%, respectively, in C3 compared to C1 and 2 combined. Independent structure increased the L-Index in all three clusters. Furthermore, individual housing increased the L-Index regardless of the cluster. The results suggest that shifting toward larger, more technologically advanced herds could potentially benefit claw health. Additionally, adopting group gestation housing appears to mitigate the adverse effects on claw health, although further validation is necessary, as Brazil has only recently transitioned from individual housing practices.

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Lameness affects animal mobility, causing pain and discomfort. Lameness in early stages often goes undetected due to a lack of observation, precision, and reliability. Automated and non-invasive systems offer precision and detection ease and may improve animal welfare. This study was conducted to create a repository of images and videos of sows with different locomotion scores. Our goal is to develop a computer vision model for automatically identifying specific points on the sow's body. The automatic identification and ability to track specific body areas, will allow us to conduct kinematic studies with the aim of facilitating the detection of lameness using deep learning. The video database was collected on a pig farm with a scenario built to allow filming of sows in locomotion with different lameness scores. Two stereo cameras were used to record 2D videos images. Thirteen locomotion experts assessed the videos using the Locomotion Score System developed by Zinpro Corporation. From this annotated repository, computational models were trained and tested using the open-source deep learning-based animal pose tracking framework SLEAP (Social LEAP Estimates Animal Poses). The top-performing models were constructed using the LEAP architecture to accurately track 6 (lateral view) and 10 (dorsal view) skeleton keypoints. The architecture achieved average precisions values of 0.90 and 0.72, average distances of 6.83 and 11.37 in pixel, and similarities of 0.94 and 0.86 for the lateral and dorsal views, respectively. These computational models are proposed as a Precision Livestock Farming tool and method for identifying and estimating postures in pigs automatically and objectively. The 2D video image repository with different pig locomotion scores can be used as a tool for teaching and research. Based on our skeleton keypoint classification results, an automatic system could be developed. This could contribute to the objective assessment of locomotion scores in sows, improving their welfare.

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Swines raised in intensive systems are highly susceptible to claw lesions. Moderate to severe lesions trigger an inflammatory response, causing pain and impairing reproductive and economic performance. Foot lesions in sows can cause considerable losses owing to reduced fertility and herd longevity. Proper diagnosis is an important step in correcting this problem; however, the seriousness of the impact of these lesions on swine herds remains unclear to most farm owners. Health monitoring has become an essential tool for veterinarians because it enables the detection of disease incidence and severity. In this study, we assessed claw lesions in sows reared under an intensive system to ascertain the prevalence and severity of lesions in Brazilian herds. The hind limb claws of 2,660 sows from 30 farms were examined for the following lesions: heel overgrowth and erosion (HOE), heel-sole cracks, white line lesions (WL), horizontal and vertical cracks in the toe wall, overgrown toes, and overgrown or missing dew claws. Claws were classified as normal (score = 0), mild (score = 1), moderate (score = 2), or severe (score = 3). At least one type of lesion was observed in 99.1% of the sows, whereas 29.7% displayed severe lesions. HOE was the most common lesion (89.9% of sows) and severe WL was observed in 16.8% of the sows. Lesions increased in prevalence and severity with parity, except for WL. In young females, lesions on the volar surface were more common than those on cracked walls or overgrown toes, which should be considered when selecting gilts for breeding. A high prevalence of claw lesions was observed in Brazilian sows. Monitoring of these lesions is fast and simple. Regular monitoring provides information on claw health in a herd over time, allowing us to take measures to control and treat claw lesions, avoiding worsening of the problem, early culling of animals, and the associated productive and economic losses.

Suínos criados em sistemas intensivos são altamente suscetíveis a lesões de casco. Quando moderadas a graves, essas lesões desencadeiam uma resposta inflamatória, causando dor e prejudicando o desempenho reprodutivo e econômico. Em porcas, as lesões nos cascos podem causar consideráveis perdas devido à redução da fertilidade e longevidade do rebanho. O diagnóstico adequado é um dos passos mais importantes para corrigir esse problema, mas a gravidade do impacto dessas lesões nos rebanhos suínos passa despercebida na maioria das propriedades. O monitoramento sanitário tornou-se uma ferramenta essencial para os médicos veterinários, pois possibilita a detecção da incidência e gravidade da doença. O presente estudo utilizou um método de avaliação de lesões de casco em porcas criadas em sistema intensivo para verificar a prevalência e gravidade das lesões em rebanhos brasileiros. Os cascos dos membros pélvicos de 2.660 porcas, de 30 granjas, foram examinados para as seguintes lesões: crescimento e erosão da almofada plantar (AP), rachadura entre almofada plantar e sola, lesão na linha branca (LB), rachaduras horizontal e vertical da parede do casco, sobrecrescimento da unha principal e sobrecrescimento ou amputação da unha acessória. Os cascos foram classificados como normais (escore = 0) ou apresentando lesões leves (escore = 1), moderadas (escore = 2) ou graves (escore = 3). Pelo menos um tipo de lesão foi observado em 99,1% das porcas, enquanto 29,7% apresentaram lesões graves. AP foi a lesão mais comum (89,9% das porcas) e LB severa foi observada em 16,8% das porcas. As lesões aumentaram em prevalência e severidade com as ordens de parto, com exceção para LB. Em fêmeas jovens, as lesões na face plantar foram mais comuns do que as rachaduras ou sobrecrescimento das unhas, algo que deve ser levado em consideração na seleção de leitoas para reprodução. Alta prevalência de lesões de casco foi observada em porcas brasileiras. A avaliação dessas lesões é rápida e simples. O monitoramento frequente fornece informações sobre a saúde dos cascos de um rebanho ao longo do tempo, permitindo tomar medidas para o controle e tratamento das lesões dos cascos, evitando o agravamento do problema, o descarte precoce dos animais e as perdas produtivas e econômicas associadas.

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Supplementation with complexed minerals influences the growth performance and the integrity of the locomotor system of animals. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a complex supplementation of organic minerals (metal-amino acids) consisting of Zn (50 ppm), Mn (20 ppm), and Cu (10 ppm) (Availa® Sow FF Zinpro Corp.) on the growth performance and integrity of the locomotor system in pigs. One hundred and eighty 61-day-old animals, comprised of females (n=90) and castrated males (n=90), were used in a randomised block factorial design with ten replicates per treatment and sex. The experimental design consisted of two treatments: control (T1) animals without supplementation and treatment (T2) animals that were supplemented with organic minerals (0.75 g kg-1). At 112 days of housing (D112), the pigs were subjected to a hoof evaluation, at D115 they were weighed, and at D117, they were slaughtered (178 days of age). After boning, a blind analysis was performed on the medial and lateral condyles of the distal humerus. The supplemented animals (T2) had higher scores for the performance parameters of final weight (P=0.03), weight gain (WG) (P=0.02), and average daily weight gain (DWG) (P=0.021). For WG, T2 showed 3.10 kg more gain than the control; the increase in females was on average 4.07 kg and in males 2.45 kg. The prevalence of hoof lesions was 100% in both groups. The supplementation reduced the incidence of damage to the dew claws (P=0.02) and heel-sole cracks (P=0.02). The incidence of osteochondrosis was 19.13%, with no influence of supplementation. Supplementing pigs with the organic minerals Zn, Mn, and Cu during the finishing phase improved the WG, DWG, final weight, and hoof integrity.

A suplementação de minerais complexados influencia o desempenho produtivo e a integridade do aparelho locomotor dos animais. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o efeito da suplementação de complexo de minerais orgânicos (metal-aminoácidos) composto por Zn (50ppm), Mn (20ppm) e Cu (10ppm) (Availa® Sow FF, Zinpro Corp.) no desempenho produtivo e integridade do aparelho locomotor de suínos. Cento e oitenta animais de 61 dias de idade, compostos por fêmeas (n=90) e machos castrados (n=90), foram usados em um delineamento fatorial em blocos casualizados com dez repetições por tratamento e sexo. O desenho experimental foi composto por dois tratamentos, controle (T1) animais que não receberam suplementação e tratamento (T2) animais que foram suplementados com minerais orgânicos (0,75 g kg-1). Aos 112 dias de alojamento (D112) os suínos foram submetidos à avaliação de casco, no D115 foram pesados e no D117 foram abatidos (178 dias de idade). Após a desossa, análise às cegas foi realizada nos côndilos mediais e laterais da porção distal do úmero. Os animais suplementados (T2) apresentaram melhor desempenho para os parâmetros de desempenho de peso final (P=0,03), ganho de peso (GP) (P=0,02) e média de ganho de peso diário (GPD) (P=0,021). Com relação ao GP, T2 apresentou ganho de 3,10 kg a mais do que o controle; o aumento nas fêmeas foi em média 4,07 kg e nos machos 2,45 kg. A prevalência de lesões de casco foi de 100% em ambos os grupos. A suplementação reduziu a incidência de lesões na unha acessória (P=0,02) e rachadura no talão-sola (P=0,02). A incidência de osteocondrose foi 19,13%, sem influência da suplementação. Suplementar suínos com minerais orgânicos Zn, Mn e Cu durante a fase de terminação melhora o GP, GPD, peso final e integridade do casco.

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RESUMEN

Supplementation with complexed minerals influences the growth performance and the integrity of the locomotor system of animals. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a complex supplementation of organic minerals (metal-amino acids) consisting of Zn (50 ppm), Mn (20 ppm), and Cu (10 ppm) (Availa® Sow FF Zinpro Corp.) on the growth performance and integrity of the locomotor system in pigs. One hundred and eighty 61-day-old animals, comprised of females (n=90) and castrated males (n=90), were used in a randomised block factorial design with ten replicates per treatment and sex. The experimental design consisted of two treatments: control (T1) animals without supplementation and treatment (T2) animals that were supplemented with organic minerals (0.75 g kg-1). At 112 days of housing (D112), the pigs were subjected to a hoof evaluation, at D115 they were weighed, and at D117, they were slaughtered (178 days of age). After boning, a blind analysis was performed on the medial and lateral condyles of the distal humerus. The supplemented animals (T2) had higher scores for the performance parameters of final weight (P=0.03), weight gain (WG) (P=0.02), and average daily weight gain (DWG) (P=0.021). For WG, T2 showed 3.10 kg more gain than the control; the increase in females was on average 4.07 kg and in males 2.45 kg. The prevalence of hoof lesions was 100% in both groups. The supplementation reduced the incidence of damage to the dew claws (P=0.02) and heel-sole cracks (P=0.02). The incidence of osteochondrosis was 19.13%, with no influence of supplementation. Supplementing pigs with the organic minerals Zn, Mn, and Cu during the finishing phase improved the WG, DWG, final weight, and hoof integrity.(AU)

A suplementação de minerais complexados influencia o desempenho produtivo e a integridade do aparelho locomotor dos animais. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o efeito da suplementação de complexo de minerais orgânicos (metal-aminoácidos) composto por Zn (50ppm), Mn (20ppm) e Cu (10ppm) (Availa® Sow FF, Zinpro Corp.) no desempenho produtivo e integridade do aparelho locomotor de suínos. Cento e oitenta animais de 61 dias de idade, compostos por fêmeas (n=90) e machos castrados (n=90), foram usados em um delineamento fatorial em blocos casualizados com dez repetições por tratamento e sexo. O desenho experimental foi composto por dois tratamentos, controle (T1) animais que não receberam suplementação e tratamento (T2) animais que foram suplementados com minerais orgânicos (0,75 g kg-1). Aos 112 dias de alojamento (D112) os suínos foram submetidos à avaliação de casco, no D115 foram pesados e no D117 foram abatidos (178 dias de idade). Após a desossa, análise às cegas foi realizada nos côndilos mediais e laterais da porção distal do úmero. Os animais suplementados (T2) apresentaram melhor desempenho para os parâmetros de desempenho de peso final (P=0,03), ganho de peso (GP) (P=0,02) e média de ganho de peso diário (GPD) (P=0,021). Com relação ao GP, T2 apresentou ganho de 3,10 kg a mais do que o controle; o aumento nas fêmeas foi em média 4,07 kg e nos machos 2,45 kg. A prevalência de lesões de casco foi de 100% em ambos os grupos. A suplementação reduziu a incidência de lesões na unha acessória (P=0,02) e rachadura no talão-sola (P=0,02). A incidência de osteocondrose foi 19,13%, sem influência da suplementação. Suplementar suínos com minerais orgânicos Zn, Mn e Cu durante a fase de terminação melhora o GP, GPD, peso final e integridade do casco.(AU)

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