The prevalence and risk factors associated with forelimb skin abrasions and sole bruising in preweaning piglets

The presence of skin abrasions and sole bruising in 264 preweaning piglets (1-30 days old) from 13 breeding units in south west England was investigated in 1995. The mean prevalence of forelimb skin abrasions among the pigs on the study farms was 36% (range 0-59%) and sole bruising was 50% (range 0-95%). Skin abrasions were located on three aspects on the front limbs: the carpus, the metacarpus and the digit. Lesions occurred early in a piglet's life; the modal ages for sole bruising was 4 days and for skin abrasions were 5 and 10 days. The presence of skin abrasions on the front limbs was significantly associated with the presence of sole bruising on the front feet. Logistic regression indicated that part-concrete, part-round-mesh (OR 56.4) and part-concrete, part-metalrods floors (OR 15.9) and exposed aggregate (OR 4.6) were associated with an increased odds of sole bruising while the presence of sparse straw (OR 0.12) or deep straw (OR 0.12) in the pen was associated with lower odds of sole bruising. The same floor type (part-concrete, part-round-mesh) was associated with increased odds of forelimb skin abrasions (OR 2.2). A worn floor surface where the solid adjoined the perforated area (OR 4.6) and the presence of sparse shavings (OR 1.7) were also associated with an increased risk of skin abrasions.