Pathological changes in the lumbar spine of boars

Lumbar vertebral columns from 73 boars were examined for pathological changes. While pathological changes were minimal at five months of age, several animals aged seven to 18 months of age had facet asymmetry and large osteophytes surrounding lumbar facets. In the adult group 36% had degeneration of intervertebral discs and 28% had ventrolateral vertebral osteophytes. Lesions characterized by irregular areas of cavitation in the annulus and adjacent vertebral epiphyses were also observed. Of animals submitted for necropsy with a history of clinical lameness. lesions included nonsuppurative polyarthritis, fracture of the sacrum and femoral head, osteochondrosis involving articular cartilage of the distal humerus and distal femur, vertebral osteomyelitis, meningeal abscess and ulnar osteomyelitis.