CONGENITAL MALFORMATION OF THE FRONT CLAWS OF A PIG

Background and Objectives
During a sow farm visit, a lame piglet was noticed with a malformation of both claws of both front legs. Other pigs in the litter and in the compartment did not show abnormalities. The pig was transported to the Farm Animal Health clinic to exactly diagnose which abnormalities were present.
Material and Methods
After arrival, the pig was examined clinically and X-ray examination was performed. After four days, the pig was euthanized and necropsy was performed.
Results
Clinically, breathing frequency, and heartrate were slightly elevated during the 4 days, whereas body temperature was only elevated on day 1. Because of the fever on D1 Meloxicam was administered on D1 and D3. All four hoofs in the front legs were absent and the dew claws were absent or distorted. The legs were, however, not painful. X-ray examination revealed that left front leg missed phalanges 2 and 3 of digit 3 and 5 and phalanges 1, 2, and 3 of digit 4.
The right front leg missed phalanx 3 of digit 3 and phalanges 3 and 4 of digit 4.
In addition, the middle phalanx of the fifth toe had signs of osteomyelitis.
At necropsy, in addition to the missing bones in the left front leg an abscess was observed, originating from a pododermatitis as well as signs of an osteomyelitis.
Discussion and Conclusion
This case study describes a malformation of the claws of both front legs combined with missing phalanges on both front legs. The malformation is probably due to a defect of the dermal ossification of the phalanges. As far as the authors know, this anomaly has been described for foals, but not for pigs.