Uittreksel
The aim of this study was to measure the mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MT) of lame and non-lame sows with two
methods. Two groups of sows at the same gestation stage (G1, n=12, G2, n=8) from one pig herd were used. Gait was scored on
a 150-mm tagged visual analogue scale (VAS); sows scoring > 30mm on the VAS were classified as “lame”. MT (defined as the
force in Newtons driving a 1 mm pin that elicited a withdrawal response) was measured on the dorsal aspect of the metatarsus/
metacarpus of each limb. A digital algometer driving a pneumatic actuator fixed to the leg (ProdPlus MT1, TopCat Metrology
Ltd; actuator) was used. The measurements were also taken with the hand-held version of the same instrument (ProD-Plus,
TopCat Metrology Ltd; probe). The average of 3 consecutive measurements was considered as MT for each limb with each
method on each of 3 testing days. In G1, the average MT (N) of the four limbs (lame vs. non-lame sows) was 14.3 (6.1) vs.
13.7 (5.9) with the actuator and 10.5 (6.2) vs. 10.2 (6.2) with the probe. In G2, the average MT (N) was 14.8 (6.5) vs. 17.9 (6.1)
with the actuator and 11.6 (5.5) vs. 17.4 (6.7) with the probe. The thresholds tended to be higher in the front than in the hind
legs. The actuator yielded consistently higher MT than the probe (average difference = 3.2 N, P<0.001); therefore the methods
should not be used interchangeably. There was low repeatability both within the same testing session and on different testing
days with both methods (average SD of the difference = 7.9 N). Lame sows in G2 had a significantly lower (P<0.01) average
MT than non-lame sows. This is in line with the findings of other studies on farm animals affected by lameness. There was no
difference in G1.
methods. Two groups of sows at the same gestation stage (G1, n=12, G2, n=8) from one pig herd were used. Gait was scored on
a 150-mm tagged visual analogue scale (VAS); sows scoring > 30mm on the VAS were classified as “lame”. MT (defined as the
force in Newtons driving a 1 mm pin that elicited a withdrawal response) was measured on the dorsal aspect of the metatarsus/
metacarpus of each limb. A digital algometer driving a pneumatic actuator fixed to the leg (ProdPlus MT1, TopCat Metrology
Ltd; actuator) was used. The measurements were also taken with the hand-held version of the same instrument (ProD-Plus,
TopCat Metrology Ltd; probe). The average of 3 consecutive measurements was considered as MT for each limb with each
method on each of 3 testing days. In G1, the average MT (N) of the four limbs (lame vs. non-lame sows) was 14.3 (6.1) vs.
13.7 (5.9) with the actuator and 10.5 (6.2) vs. 10.2 (6.2) with the probe. In G2, the average MT (N) was 14.8 (6.5) vs. 17.9 (6.1)
with the actuator and 11.6 (5.5) vs. 17.4 (6.7) with the probe. The thresholds tended to be higher in the front than in the hind
legs. The actuator yielded consistently higher MT than the probe (average difference = 3.2 N, P<0.001); therefore the methods
should not be used interchangeably. There was low repeatability both within the same testing session and on different testing
days with both methods (average SD of the difference = 7.9 N). Lame sows in G2 had a significantly lower (P<0.01) average
MT than non-lame sows. This is in line with the findings of other studies on farm animals affected by lameness. There was no
difference in G1.
| Oorspronkelijke taal | Engels |
|---|---|
| Titel | Programme & Abstract book 4th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management |
| Aantal pagina’s | 1 |
| Publicatiedatum | 25-apr-2012 |
| Pagina's | 114 |
| ISBN van geprinte versie | 9789079892037 |
| Publicatiestatus | Gepubliceerd - 25-apr-2012 |
| Evenement | 4th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management - Brugge, België Duur: 25-apr-2012 → 27-apr-2012 http://www.esphm2012.be |