[Pathological indicators in sows relevant to animal welfare in modern housing systems]

Methods and problems are discussed evaluating pathological indicators potentially related to animal welfare in modern husbandry systems of brood sows. A variety of interrelationships of diseases and genetic dispositions concerning the locomotive and cardiovascular system interferes with the required forensic evidence between individual sickness and housing and/or neglected care. There are no defined pathological processes indicating disproportionate husbandry as well as insufficient ability of physical exercise. Highly restricted possibilities to move caused by modern housing may result in pathologically manifest alterations. Technopathic diseases (induced by housing systems) may be prevented by enhanced care concerning the health control of animals and the functioning of the technical equipment as well as by appropriate prophylaxis. Farmers and veterinary surgeons should co-operate for the needs of animal welfare. One of the resulting conclusions is to plan for and to provide more labour for specific care necessary to maintain animal welfare. One should consider such management calculations with major precaution in which the size of working units relative to manpower gets increasingly maximized.