Benchmarking of anatomopathological lesions assessed at slaughter and their association with tail lesions and carcass traits in heavy pigs

Recording lesions at the abattoir provides information for benchmarking pig health and welfare conditions. The study involved 79 batches of Italian heavy pigs, mainly tail-docked. The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of anatomopathological lesions and to identify relationships with carcass traits. The scoring of enzootic pneumonia-like lesions (EP), chronic pleuritis (CP), dorso-caudal pleuritis, white spots on the liver and tail lesions (TLs) was carried out. Relationships among the lesions, the season of slaughter, slaughtering age and carcass traits were tested using logistic regression. Enzootic pneumonia-like lesions were observed on 30.20% (±14.94) of the lungs with an average score of 0.91 (±0.77). The prevalence of CP was 38.07% (±15.86) with an average score of 0.83 (±0.34) and an A. pleuropneumoniae index (APPI) of 0.71 (±0.39). The prevalence of pericarditis and peritonitis was 5.5% (±3.73) and 1.09% (±0.64), respectively. White spots on the liver showed a prevalence of 12.94% (±23.60) and an average score of 0.02 (±0.04). The prevalence of TLs was 34.08% (±11.21); 29.64% (±11.21) showed moderate damage, and 4.44% (±5.02) severe damage, not associated with pulmonary lesions or carcass traits. Dorso-caudal pleuritis, suggestive of previous Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection, remained similar and was strongly associated with a higher lean meat percentage. Additional studies are necessary to better understand this association. The results showed that preventive measures against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae are deemed necessary to reduce dorso-caudal pleuritis and to improve pig health and carcass value.Highlights Cardiopulmonary lesions and tail lesions are indicative of poor welfare and loss of profit in the pork chain and could share common risk factors; Dorso-caudal pleuritis, suggestive of previous Actinobacillus pneumoniae infection, was associated with carcass traits; Tail lesions were not associated with lung lesions or carcass traits. Both lesions can share similar risk factors but have different aetiologies.