Lameness in weaned pigs associated with tetracycline overdose

Summary

On a piglet producing farm severe lameness was observed in pigs which had been weaned 3 weeks and longer due to severe distortions of joints and claws of fore and/or hind legs. Splaying of claws as well as flexural limb deformations particularly in the carpal joints increased in degree the older and heavier the pigs were. Because of coughing in the weaners, which had started 7–8 weeks before any lameness or limb deformation had been apparent, tetracycline was applied via water as medication. During the course of an on-site investigation, a miscalculation of dosage – 129–168 mg tetracycline per kg body weight – was revealed. It was therefore suggested to the farmer and his veterinarian to immediately stop the application of tetracycline and to use a different antibiotic against the still present coughing and sneezing. During a follow-up evaluation 4 weeks later, the farmer reported a significant decrease in affected animals. While a direct correlation between the lameness in the weaned pigs and the tetracycline dosage could not be proven, the existing evidence supports the theory that the overdosage was at least a contributing factor.

Zusammenfassung

In einem Ferkelerzeugerbestand wurden bei Ferkeln ab 3 Wochen nach dem Absetzen zunehmend hochgradige Lahmheiten bedingt durch schwere Distorsionen der Gelenke und Klauen an den Vorder- und/ oder Hintergliedmaßen beobachtet. Das Spreizen der Klauen und die Durchbiegigkeit in den Gelenken der Gliedmaßen, besonders der Karpalgelenke, nahm mit dem Alter zu. Aufgrund von Husten, der 8 Wochen vor dem Auftreten erster Lahmheiten festgestellt wurde, bekamen alle Ferkel Tetracyclin über das Trinkwasser verabreicht. Während der Bestandsuntersuchung wurde eine Fehlkalkulation der Dosierung festgestellt: 129–168 mg Tetracyclin pro Kilogramm Körpergewicht. Dem Tierhalter und Tierarzt wurde empfohlen, die Anwendung von Tetracyclin umgehend zu beenden und stattdessen einen anderen Wirkstoff gegen die immer noch auftretenden Atemwegserkrankungen einzusetzen. Bei einer Nachuntersuchung 4 Wochen später wurde ein signifikanter Rückgang der Lahmheiten beobachtet. Obwohl die Kausalität zwischen Tetracyclin und den Lahmheiten nicht eindeutig nachzuweisen war, liegen doch Hinweise für eine ursächliche Beteiligung der Überdosierung an der Entstehung der Symptome vor.

Key words

Swine - medication - water supply - non-infectious - multi-factorial disease

Schlüsselwörter

Schwein - Medikamente - Wasserversorgung - nichtinfektiös - multifaktorielle Erkrankung

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