Clinical signs of foot-and-mouth disease in pigs

A range of clinical signs may indicate the presence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in pigs.

Pigs with FMD snout lesions.

Pig with FMD snout lesions. © UK DEFRA.

Typical clinical signs of FMD in pigs include:

  • pyrexia, though this clinical sign is inconsistent
  • severe foot lesions and lameness, with detachment of the claw horn, especially when housed on concrete
  • vesicles on pressure points of limbs, especially along the carpus, resulting in knuckling
  • vesicular lesions on the snout
  • abortion.
Pig's snout, gum and lips with 1-day-old vesicles.

Pig's snout, gum and lips with 1-day-old vesicles.

Pig's snout with 2-day-old vesicles. Note necrosis of epithelium at lesion sites.

Pig's snout with 2-day-old vesicles. Note necrosis of epithelium at lesion sites.

Pig's snout with 3-day-old lesions. Note extensive necrosis of affected epithelium.

Pig's snout with 3-day-old lesions. Note extensive necrosis of affected epithelium.

Pig's tongue with 3-day-old lesions. Note sero-fibrinous in-filling and early healing evident in lesions at edge.

Pig's tongue with 3-day-old lesions. Note sero-fibrinous in-filling and early healing evident in lesions at edge.

Pig's snout with 4-day-old lesions. Scab formation and healing evident.

Pig's snout with 4-day-old lesions. Note scab formation and healing.

Pig's tongue with 4-day-old lesions. Note extensive fibrinous in-filling.

Pig's tongue with 4-day-old lesions. Note extensive fibrinous in-filling.

Pig’s feet with 3-day-old lesions along coronary bands of main and supernumerary digits.

Pig’s feet with 3-day-old lesions along coronary bands of main and supernumerary digits.

Pig’s feet with 6-day-old lesions. Note sero-fibrinous in-filling.

Pig’s feet with 6-day-old lesions. Note sero-fibrinous in-filling.

Pig’s feet with 9-day-old lesions.

Pig’s feet with 9-day-old lesions.

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