Reducing risk of bursitis
Reducing risk of bursitis
DEEP straw bedding reduces risk of adventitious bursitis, and other foot lesions, in finishing pigs.
Research by Bristol Universitys Niki Mouttotou and colleagues, reported in Vet Record (Jan 31, 1998), shows that pigs kept on a solid concrete floor with deep straw are at least risk of developing bursitis, but incidence increased successively on solid concrete with sparse straw, semi-slatted and fully slatted floors.
Adventitious bursitis, a fluid-filled sac which occurs on the hock, is common in finishing pigs and breeding stock. This affects welfare and productivity, but little research has been done on the subject.
The paper reports a link between bursitis and the presence of foot lesions, and says there is likely to be a link between flooring material and physical characteristics of the floor which can affect pigs feet and limbs.
The researchers conclude that the results prove that bursitis in finishing pigs is associated with lack of bedding and use of slats but more research is needed. *