Forensic Cases of Ulcerations in Pigs

Ulcerations in the skin of a pig may be painful and hamper the welfare of the animal if neglected. Serious and untreated ulcerations are reported to the police by veterinary enforcement officers, and often an examination carried out by a veterinary pathologist is requested. A retrospective study of forensic case files concerning ulcerations in Danish pigs from 2000 to 2014 was carried out. The aim of the study was to evaluate the number of cases, the number of pigs involved, the anatomical localization of ulcerations and the changes during the years.

Case files regarding ulcerations submitted for forensic examination from 2000 to 2014 were evaluated retrospectively. In the files, the following information was analysed: the age and the sex of the animals and the size and the anatomical localization of ulcerations.

In total, 209 case files concerning 283 pigs or parts of these with 459 ulcerations were included. Despite a decline in cases since 2004 the number of pigs remained fairly constant. The case files included between 1 and 10 pigs with an average (X) ± standard deviation (SD) of 1.4±1.2 pigs and each pig had 1 to 60 ulcerations (1.7 ±3.7, ±SD). The pigs were registered as females (53%), males (5%) and of unknown sex (42%). Approximately half of the pigs were sows (51.2%), while 34.3%, 6.7%, 0.4% and 7.4% were slaughter pigs (5 to 6 months), younger pigs (< 5 months), adult boars and pigs of unknown age, respectively. In 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011, sows with shoulder ulcerations were the most frequent while in 2014 pigs with ulcerations on umbilical outpouchings dominated. Since 2011 the number of sows with shoulder ulcerations has declined. Ulcerations on the body, limbs or tail were less frequent but present throughout the entire study period.

Despite a decline in the number of case files the annual number of pigs remained constant suggesting fewer but more serious offenders. Sows with shoulder ulcerations were the most frequent; however, from 2011 the number declined most likely reflecting an increased focus on this type of lesion in Danish sows during the last 10 years.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared.