Feet First® Swine Claw Lesion Identification

The Feet First® team has developed an easy-to-use lesion scoring system to help veterinarians, nutritionists and producers accurately identify and record claw lesions in their sow herds. This system helps visually rank the seven more common claw lesions, based on the type of lesion and its level of severity (1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe). 

Feet First® Lesion Scoring System

For more information about the Feet First® Lesion Scoring system, request your free copy of the Feet First Lesion Identification Guide. It features close-up color photographs and detailed descriptions for all seven major types of lesions. This guide is a valuable resource for helping develop a deeper understanding of foot anatomy, while also allowing lesions to be identified at earlier (less severe) stages.

Sow Lesion Identification and Scoring System

Following is a summary of the Feet First® sow lesion identification and scoring system. This includes names, descriptions and scores of the seven most common claw lesions in sows.  

Toes (T)

1 (mild)

One or more toes slightly longer than normal

2 (moderate)

One or more toes significantly longer than normal

3 (severe)

Long toes that affect gait when walking

Dew Claws (DC)

1 (mild)

Slightly longer than normal

2 (moderate)

Claws extend to floor surface when the pig is standing

3 (severe)

Claw is torn and/or partially or completely missing

Heel Overgrowth and Erosion (HOE)

1 (mild)

Slight overgrowth and/or erosion in soft heel tissue

2 (moderate) 

Numerous cracks with obvious overgrowth and erosion

3 (severe)

Large amount of erosion and overgrowth with cracks throughout

Heel-Sole Crack (HSC)

1 (mild)

Slight separation at the juncture

2 (moderate)

Long separation at the juncture

3 (severe)

Long and deep separation at the juncture

White Line (WL)

1 (mild)

Shallow and/or short separation along white line

2 (moderate) 

Long separation along white line

3 (severe)

Long and deep separation along white line

Cracked Wall Horizontal (CWH)

1 (mild)

Hemorrhage evident, short/shallow horizontal crack in toe wall

2 (moderate)

Long but shallow horizontal crack in toe wall

3 (severe)

Multiple or deep horizontal crack(s) in toe wall

Cracked Wall Vertical (CWV)

1 (mild)

Short/shallow vertical crack in wall

2 (moderate)

Long but shallow vertical crack in wall

3 (severe)

Multiple or deep vertical crack(s) in wall

The Role of Trace Minerals

Availa®Sow, from Zinpro Performance Minerals®, contains a unique combination of zinc, manganese and copper specifically formulated to help optimize the foot health and reproductive performance of sows, gilts and boars. Each mineral has multiple roles, some specific and some synergistic. The goals are to grow strong, elastic claws, which are better able to withstand injury, abrasion and cracking; and sound joints and bones to help support the fast growing body mass of sows, gilts and boars.