This is a condition where the newborn piglet is unable to hold the front and/or (more commonly) back legs together and up to 2 % of piglets can be affected. The mobility of the piglet is impaired which makes teat access difficult.
Symptoms
Piglets
- The piglets are unable to stand with the hind legs deflected laterally.
- As a result they often adopt a dog sitting position.
- Death usually ensues either due to starvation or crushing because the pig cannot move away from the sow.
- Poor / low viable piglets.
Sows, Weaners, Growers
- N/A
Causes / Contributing factors
- It is more common in the Landrace breed and in males.
- Disease is caused by immaturity of the muscle fibres in the hind legs, over the pelvis and occasionally in the front legs.
- The condition is exaggerated when piglets stand on very smooth or wet slippery floors.