Week of 25-Mar-2026
An increase of “humpy-back” pigs from 6 to 8 weeks of age was detected in this unit afecting up to 5% of the feeding herd with irrelevance of the sex. What is the cause of this lesion?
The present form of lordosis and kyphosis was affecting up to 5% of the feeding herd with irrelevance of the sex, although males were more affected than females. This could be related to the fast growth rate of them over the females. The finding of bony exostoses in the ribs and the thickened costochondral junctions at post-mortem examination leaded to a metabolic disorder related to the diet by causing decreased mineralisation of the bone. The early onset of the problem combined with lameness from 5 weeks of age made the suspicion that the problem could have started during the foetal stage. Therefore, dry sow diets were the main focus of investigation. High levels of vitamin A and poor Ca:P ratio were detected in the dry sow diets. The correction of the diets improved the situation.
Kyphosis in pigs may develop secondary to a number of different primary lesions located in the vertebrae, such as osteomyelitis, fractures, neoplasm and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, painful conditions of the legs and back, musculo-mechanical stress on the lumbar spine, early onset of puberty in male pigs and intrauterine viral infections have been proposed as causes of kyphosis in pigs. Suggestions of genetic involvement have been suggested.
Kyphosis and lordosis could be a factor of carcass downgrading as a consequence of the difficulty of processing the muscles around the backbone by the butcher.
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Week of 18-Mar-2026
There are sudden deaths in sows and finishing pigs. The only lesion detected is in the liver with discoloration, enlargement and full of gass. What is the causative agent of this lesion?
Week of 11-Mar-2026
Sudden dead is described in growing pigs. There are no other post-mortem findings other than valvular endocarditis. What is the cause of this lesion?
Week of 04-Mar-2026
There is blood stain in the costocondral area affecting the pleura. What is the cause of this lesion?
Week of 25-Feb-2026
This sow has a mass protruding from behind. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
Week of 18-Feb-2026
Spinal chord compression was detected when inspecting this pig carcass. What is the cause of this lesion?
Week of 11-Feb-2026
The unit has an increase of coughing and poor growth rates. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
Week of 04-Feb-2026
Many piglets in different litters show erythema in the skin. What is the cause of this condition?
Week of 28-Jan-2026
The vet in the slaughterhouse condemns a sow with this skin lesions under welfare grounds and reports the farmer. What is the cause of these lesions?
Week of 21-Jan-2026
Widespread petechiation and congestion of the lung. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
Week of 14-Jan-2026
A weaner pig is laying on its side unable to walk, making paddling movements, eyes rolling and with opisthotonus. What is the cause of the problem in this case?
Week of 07-Jan-2026
A batch of finishing pigs is presented to the slaughterhouse with skin lesions around the perineal area and lower body parts. What is the cause of this lesion?
Week of 17-Dec-2025
A heavily pregant sow is found in the pen with blood in the vulva. What is the cause of it?
Week of 10-Dec-2025
A first parity sow is weaned and is lame in the hindleg. There is poor response to treatment with antibiotics and NSAIDS. Separation of the head of the femur has occurred through the growth plate at post-motem. What is the cause of this condition?
Week of 03-Dec-2025
These piglets died within 24 hours after injecting dextran iron in the leg at 2 days old. What is the cause of this condition?
Week of 26-Nov-2025
What pathogens are involved?
Week of 19-Nov-2025
The weaner pig on the left is pale when compared with a normal weaner on the right. These pale pigs are slow growing. What is the cause of the problem in this case?
Week of 12-Nov-2025
These piglets are stunt with distended abdomens. The perineal area in these pigs is abnormal at inspection. What is the cause of this condition?
Week of 05-Nov-2025
Which lesions are present in this lung?
Week of 29-Oct-2025
What is the name of this parasite?
Week of 22-Oct-2025
This image of a cross-section of a pig lung is characteristic of a pneumonia caused by:
Week of 15-Oct-2025
What could be causing these lesions?
Week of 08-Oct-2025
Most of the pigs in this pen have dark coloured over the skin. What is the cause of this condition?
Week of 01-Oct-2025
A number of weaners died suddenly within the first 4 weeks post-weaning. All them have oedema of mesocolon at post-mortem examination. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
Week of 24-Sep-2025
Which pathogen causes this lesion?
Week of 17-Sep-2025
What lesion is seen?
Week of 10-Sep-2025
Some pigs have swollen ears and walk with their heads tilted to one side. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
Week of 03-Sep-2025
A piglet is born alive with 6 legs. What is the cause of this finding?