The use of kinematic and nociceptive threshold tests to discriminate between lameness phases in multiparous sows

The objective of this thesis was to determine if four tools were able to quantify differences in lameness phases in multiparous sows. The tools evaluated in this study included thermal and mechanical nociceptive threshold tests, an embedded force plate and a GAITFour gait analysis walkway system. Observed results from these studies indicate that all four tools were able to quantify differences between sound and most lame phases in multiparous sows. In conclusion, this research provides additional tools that can be used to detect varying lameness states in multiparous sows