Claw lesions in neonatal piglets: a case study

Claw lesions in piglets are common. The neonatal claw is sensible for factors such as floor temperature and roughness, and possible residuals from disinfectants. Also selenium (Se) intoxication and ergot alkaloids have been related to claw lesions. The present case describes the occurrence of hemorrhagic claw lesions in neonatal piglets of a commercial farrow-to-finish pig herd in Flanders.

The herd consisted of 270 JSR sows in a 4-week batch system. Gestating sows were fed ad libitum and housed on straw bedding. Lesions had been observed for two months, they developed 1 to 2 days after birth and were present in nearly all litters. If present, lesions were seen in claws and dewclaws of all limbs. Lesions tended to be painful and started as small hemorrhages in the white line area of the claw, and became more extensive and eventually ulcerative after 1 to 2 weeks. Also necrotic tail lesions were found in some of these piglets. Neonatal piglets showed increased levels of diarrhea, arthritis and mortality (up to 20%). The differential diagnosis includes piglet- and environmental related factors as well as intoxications. Samples were taken for diagnosis: spleen for bacteriological analysis, liver for Se analysis and the hemorrhagic lesions for bacteriological and histological investigation. Feed was analyzed for mycotoxins prior to our first visit.

Histological investigation revealed clear ulcerations of the coronary band’s epidermis with invasion of round shaped bacteria and neutrophils. In mild lesions, bacterial colonization was combined with parakeratosis and scabbing. Bacterial invasion of hair follicles was also noticed. No histological abnormalities were found in the regions of the claw without macroscopic lesions. Bacteriological examination showed co-infection of Staphylococcusspp. and Streptococcussuis in all samples. Spleen samples were bacteriologically negative. Se concentration in liver-samples were within normal ranges (1.7 mg/kg). Ergot alkaloids were present in gestation and lactation feed, with the highest concentration during the gestation period (633.21 mg/kg; ref: 200 mg/kg).

The primary reason remains unclear, but we hypothesize that ergot alkaloids in sow feed affected the epidermal integrity of the neonatal claws, allowing the ubiquitous pathogenic bacteria to invade. However, when a mycotoxin binding and biotransforming feed additive was added to the feed during gestation and lactation, the problems were not solved.

Currently, piglets are treated with an antibiotic and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug on day 1, the severity of the problem is significantly lower.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared.