1
|
Stoffregen J, Winkelmann T, Schneider B, Fehrmann M, Gerdes K, Miller M, Reinmold J, Hennig-Pauka I, Kemper N, Kleinsorgen C, Tölle KH, Kreienbrock L, Wendt M, grosse Beilage E. Influences on the Decision to Euthanize a Compromised Pig. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2174. [PMID: 39123700 PMCID: PMC11311057 DOI: 10.3390/ani14152174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The decision to euthanize a compromised pig can be challenging for pig farmers and veterinarians. To understand more about the challenges in Germany, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted. Based on a hybrid design, the responses of 39 veterinarians and 62 pig farmers were analyzed to generate a list of common clinical signs associated with the euthanasia of sows, fatteners, and piglets. Moreover, a set of influences on the farm, due to economic and personal considerations, were found to shape the decision-making process. The two most salient reasons outlined for the delay of timely euthanasia were uncertainty and misinterpretation of the chance for healing. The lack of valid clinical signs or a sound justification was most frequently mentioned as a challenge to the general decision-making process. In summation, this study highlights the need to generate a valid taxonomy for clinical signs that includes their development in a compromised pig over time. Future studies should elaborate on the justification of euthanasia decisions to facilitate the resolution of ethical dilemmas among the involved pig farmers and veterinarians. Lastly, the results suggest that clinical reasoning and consultation skills should be included when decision-making behavior is to be trained.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Stoffregen
- Institute of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), WHO-CC for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Tristan Winkelmann
- Institute of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), WHO-CC for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Bettina Schneider
- Institute of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), WHO-CC for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michel Fehrmann
- Institute of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), WHO-CC for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Kathrin Gerdes
- Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Büscheler Str. 9, 49456 Bakum, Germany
| | - Moana Miller
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jennifer Reinmold
- Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Büscheler Str. 9, 49456 Bakum, Germany
| | - Isabel Hennig-Pauka
- Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Büscheler Str. 9, 49456 Bakum, Germany
| | - Nicole Kemper
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christin Kleinsorgen
- Centre for E-Learning, Didactics, Educational Research [ZELDA], University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Lothar Kreienbrock
- Institute of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), WHO-CC for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Wendt
- Clinic for Swine, Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Elisabeth grosse Beilage
- Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Büscheler Str. 9, 49456 Bakum, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Stoffregen J, Winkelmann T, Schneider B, Gerdes K, Miller M, Reinmold J, Kleinsorgen C, Toelle KH, Kreienbrock L, Grosse Beilage E. Landscape review about the decision to euthanize a compromised pig. Porcine Health Manag 2024; 10:27. [PMID: 39033174 PMCID: PMC11265101 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-024-00378-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Timely euthanasia of a compromised pig in farming practice has been identified as a critical topic in veterinary medicine. The questions 'why and when are pigs euthanized' and 'what influences the decision making process' need to be answered to improve the situation. In the past five years, work addressing these issues has been published in the literature, however, a synthesis of the findings is missing. With the help of a quantitative and qualitative analysis, this paper has generated a landscape review to outline major topics, the role of clinical signs and further influences on the decision to euthanize a pig. Due to the quantitative content analysis, 58 topics have been identified with the role of welfare as a justification and training for caretakers in making euthanasia decisions as the most frequently mentioned. The qualitative analysis of why and when a pig is euthanized generated a set of clinical signs for organ tracts, and a set of categories influencing the decision making process. The results outline the need to increase research on details specific to understanding how clinical signs evolve over time before euthanasia. In summary, the analysis provides an overview of work in the field and ideas on how to close knowledge gaps in the future. Moreover, the article contributes to harmonize efforts in the field and underlines the need for more research about the care of compromised and injured pigs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Stoffregen
- Institute for Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 2, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
| | - T Winkelmann
- Institute for Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 2, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - B Schneider
- Institute for Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 2, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - K Gerdes
- Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buescheler Str. 9, 49456, Bakum, Hannover, Germany
| | - M Miller
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hannover, Germany
| | - J Reinmold
- Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buescheler Str. 9, 49456, Bakum, Hannover, Germany
| | - C Kleinsorgen
- Centre for E-Learning, Didactics and Educational Research (ZELDA), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 2, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - K H Toelle
- ISN-Projekt GmbH, Kirchplatz 2, 49401, Damme, Germany
| | - L Kreienbrock
- Institute for Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing (IBEI), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 2, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - E Grosse Beilage
- Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buescheler Str. 9, 49456, Bakum, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mthana MS, Mthiyane DMN. Low dietary oyster mushroom spent substrate limitedly ameliorates detrimental effects of feeding combined marula seed cake and mucuna seed meal as soya bean replacements in broiler chickens. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024; 56:37. [PMID: 38194011 PMCID: PMC10776489 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03878-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated ameliorative effects of dietary oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) spent substrate (OMSS) in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with combined marula seed cake (MSC) and mucuna seed meal (MSM) replacing soya bean meal (SBM). In a completely randomised design (CRD), 400 day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to 5 iso-nitrogenous-energetic diets (control with 100% SBM, control with 60% MSC and 40% MSM replacing SBM (MSC + MSM), MSC + MSM with 1.25% OMSS, MSC + MSM with 2.5% OMSS, and MSC + MSM with 5% OMSS) each with 8 replicate pens of 10 during starter, grower and finisher phases. Dietary MSC + MSM decreased (P < 0.001) feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion efficiency (FCE); slaughter weight, hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW), breast weight, and back lengths (P < 0.001); serum SDMA and alanine transaminase (P < 0.05). In contrast, it increased the weights of the thigh (P < 0.001), wing (P < 0.01), liver (P < 0.001), proventriculus (P < 0.001), gizzard (P < 0.001), duodenum (P < 0.001), jejunum (P < 0.001), ileum (P < 0.001), and caecum (P < 0.01) and serum alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.01). Further, it increased meat redness and decreased its hue angle at 45 min post-slaughter (P < 0.01) whilst it decreased its pH (P < 0.01) and increased its shear force (P < 0.05) at 24 h post-slaughter. Compared to higher levels, low (1.25%) dietary OMSS improved, though limitedly, FI, BWG, and FCE at grower and finisher phases only (P < 0.001) whilst it reversed MSC plus MSM-induced deleterious effects on slaughter weight, HCW, and CCW (P < 0.001) and increases in gizzard weight (P < 0.001) and meat shear force at 24 h post-slaughter (P < 0.05). Otherwise, OMSS generally decreased (P < 0.05) serum SDMA and alanine transaminase whilst it abrogated and augmented increases in serum alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.01), respectively, and reversed the increase and decrease in meat redness (P < 0.01) and hue angle (P < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, dietary replacement of SBM with combined MSC plus MSM induced deleterious effects in broiler chickens that were limitedly abrogated by low (1.25%) inclusion level of OMSS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Makiwa Simeon Mthana
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University (Mahikeng Campus), Private Bag X 2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa
| | - Doctor Mziwenkosi Nhlanhla Mthiyane
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University (Mahikeng Campus), Private Bag X 2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa.
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University (Mahikeng Campus), Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Okandeji ME, Lijoka AD, Atiba FA, Adebiyi OA, Olopade JO. Dental Disorders in Wild and Domestic Pigs ( Sus Scrofa): A Review. J Vet Dent 2023; 40:47-56. [PMID: 36124401 DOI: 10.1177/08987564221125398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Teeth in the mouth of vertebrates represent the modified descendants of bony dermal plates of ancestral fishes. Dental disorders, which are deviations of dental tissues origins, are derived from any or all of the dental tissues; enamel, dentin or cementum, and include dental abnormalities and diseases. These disorders can be influenced by genetic or environmental factors, or an interplay of both factors. This article reviews disorders that have been reported in both wild and domestic pigs and the frequency of occurrence of these conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Efeturi Okandeji
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 58987University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Ayodeji David Lijoka
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 58987University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Foluso Ayobami Atiba
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, 58987University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | - James Olukayode Olopade
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 58987University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Engiles JB, Fanzone N, Wulster KB, Schumacher J, Pierdon MK. Gross, histopathologic, microbiologic, and radiologic characterization of lesions associated with clinical lameness in a cohort of group-housed sows euthanized for lameness. Vet Pathol 2022; 59:960-972. [PMID: 35938491 DOI: 10.1177/03009858221114470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Lameness in sows is reported as the most frequent cause of early culling from commercial farms and results in reduced productivity, economic losses, and a negative impact on animal welfare. Osteochondrosis was reported as the leading cause of lameness in North American sows and, although more recent European studies report infectious arthritis as the leading cause, lameness in US production facilities using group housing for gestating sows has not yet been evaluated. This study's aim was to characterize lesions associated with lameness in the appendicular musculoskeletal system of 26 sows euthanized for lameness using pathologic, radiologic, and microbiologic analyses. Of 178 total lesions, infectious lesions were most common (54%), predominated in distal limb segments (ie, at or distal to carpi and tarsi) and more often correlated with the clinically lame limb, whereas osteochondrosis and degenerative osteoarthritis predominated in proximal limb segments (ie, at or proximal to cubital and stifle joints) and rarely correlated with the clinically lame limb. The location and characteristics of infectious lesions, including mixed bacterial growth isolated from 22/22 orthopedic sites representing 19 sows with Trueperella pyogenes isolated in 16/22 (73%) of samples, suggest an etiologic component involving trauma. Radiography had a 70.6% sensitivity and 93.9% specificity for detecting infectious lesions affecting tarsocrural, antebrachiocarpal, and digital (ie, claw) regions combined. The frequency, type, and location of infectious lesions identified in this cohort of sows euthanized for lameness differ from previous reports, indicating the need for further investigation of the etiopathogenesis, earlier detection methods, and prevention.
Collapse
|
6
|
Monteiro MS, Matias DN, Poor AP, Dutra MC, Moreno LZ, Parra BM, Silva APS, Matajira CEC, de Moura Gomes VT, Barbosa MRF, Sato MIZ, Moreno AM. Causes of Sow Mortality and Risks to Post-Mortem Findings in a Brazilian Intensive Swine Production System. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:1804. [PMID: 35883351 PMCID: PMC9312163 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for post-mortem findings and causes of sow mortality. A post-mortem examination and microbiological investigation were conducted on 123 sows from a breeding herd with 15,000 dams. The mortality of spontaneous death in sows occurred mostly in the peripartum period (53%; p < 0.05). The spontaneous deaths were associated with heart failures, hemorrhagic and perforating gastric ulcers, and liver torsion, while in the euthanized sows, the post-mortem findings were associated with locomotor disorders. A higher body condition score (BCS ≥ 3.5) increased (p < 0.05) heart failure on the post-mortem examination. The excessive use of manual obstetric interventions increased sow deaths resulting from cervix/uterus ruptures and increased the odds of death (p < 0.05) due to metritis. Sow mortality had a multifactorial etiology. Infections were polymicrobial. The main microbial agents identified from a septic lesion in locomotor, genitourinary, and respiratory systems were Trueperella pyogenes, Escherichia coli, and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, respectively. In conclusion, sow mortality involved multiple risk factors and several bacterial agents. These results indicate that better management practices can reduce sow mortality in swine production and increase sow welfare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Saliba Monteiro
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil; (M.S.M.); (A.P.P.); (M.C.D.); (L.Z.M.); (B.M.P.); (A.P.S.S.); (C.E.C.M.); (V.T.d.M.G.)
| | - Débora Novais Matias
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras 37200-000, MG, Brazil;
| | - André Pegoraro Poor
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil; (M.S.M.); (A.P.P.); (M.C.D.); (L.Z.M.); (B.M.P.); (A.P.S.S.); (C.E.C.M.); (V.T.d.M.G.)
- Phibro Animal Health Corporation–Av. Pres. Tancredo de Almeida Neves, 1063, São Paulo 071112-070, SP, Brazil
| | - Maurício Cabral Dutra
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil; (M.S.M.); (A.P.P.); (M.C.D.); (L.Z.M.); (B.M.P.); (A.P.S.S.); (C.E.C.M.); (V.T.d.M.G.)
| | - Luisa Zanolli Moreno
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil; (M.S.M.); (A.P.P.); (M.C.D.); (L.Z.M.); (B.M.P.); (A.P.S.S.); (C.E.C.M.); (V.T.d.M.G.)
- Phibro Animal Health Corporation–Av. Pres. Tancredo de Almeida Neves, 1063, São Paulo 071112-070, SP, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Martins Parra
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil; (M.S.M.); (A.P.P.); (M.C.D.); (L.Z.M.); (B.M.P.); (A.P.S.S.); (C.E.C.M.); (V.T.d.M.G.)
| | - Ana Paula Santos Silva
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil; (M.S.M.); (A.P.P.); (M.C.D.); (L.Z.M.); (B.M.P.); (A.P.S.S.); (C.E.C.M.); (V.T.d.M.G.)
| | - Carlos Emílio Cabrera Matajira
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil; (M.S.M.); (A.P.P.); (M.C.D.); (L.Z.M.); (B.M.P.); (A.P.S.S.); (C.E.C.M.); (V.T.d.M.G.)
- Faculty of Basic Science, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Calle 5 #62-00, Cali 4102, Colombia
| | - Vasco Túlio de Moura Gomes
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil; (M.S.M.); (A.P.P.); (M.C.D.); (L.Z.M.); (B.M.P.); (A.P.S.S.); (C.E.C.M.); (V.T.d.M.G.)
| | - Mikaela Renata Funada Barbosa
- Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo (CETESB), Av. Prof. Frederico Hermann Júnior 345, São Paulo 05459-900, SP, Brazil; (M.R.F.B.); (M.I.Z.S.)
| | - Maria Inês Zanoli Sato
- Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo (CETESB), Av. Prof. Frederico Hermann Júnior 345, São Paulo 05459-900, SP, Brazil; (M.R.F.B.); (M.I.Z.S.)
| | - Andrea Micke Moreno
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo 05508-270, SP, Brazil; (M.S.M.); (A.P.P.); (M.C.D.); (L.Z.M.); (B.M.P.); (A.P.S.S.); (C.E.C.M.); (V.T.d.M.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Campler MR, Cox JL, Walker HL, Arruda AG. Description of on-farm treatment compliance and risk factors for culling in sows. Porcine Health Manag 2021; 7:59. [PMID: 34823594 PMCID: PMC8613945 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-021-00238-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In commercial pig farming, sick or injured sows are often treated by producers or hired staff. To date, limited quantitative data exists on treatment compliance and the possible effect on sow longevity post-treatment. The objective of the study was to quantify on-farm compliance of treatment selection, frequency, and dosage, as well as to investigate the association between body condition scores (BCS) and other sow-level factors on post-treatment cull risk. Results On-farm treatment records, including culling reason or reason of death up to 6 months post-treatment, production records and sow characteristics were obtained for 134 sows over an 8-week period. Treatment compliance was based on the accuracy of recorded treatments compared to the herd veterinarian’s established treatment guidelines. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models including treatment reason, treatment compliance, BCS, parity, production stage and production metrics, were constructed to investigate associations between those variables and sow culling or death. This study found low compliance for on-farm sow treatment protocols, with only 22.4% (30/134) of the sows receiving correct and complete treatment during the duration of the study. No effect of individual treatment components (drug, dosage, or frequency) on sow culling was observed. A trend for an interaction between treatment compliance and BCS was found, and parity and number of piglets born alive were identified as predictors for sow maintenance in the herd. Conclusions On-farm sow treatment compliance was low, resulting in that approximately 80% of the enrolled sows were not treated according to existing guidelines. Non-compliance of treatment guidelines did not seem to affect the risk of culling in treated sows but may have prolonged any associated pain, recovery time and negatively impacted the sow welfare during that time period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magnus R Campler
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jeremiah L Cox
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Heather L Walker
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Andréia G Arruda
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Causes of spontaneous sow deaths in the farrowing units of 10 Danish sow herds. Res Vet Sci 2021; 139:127-132. [PMID: 34298286 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study established the causes and timing of spontaneous sow deaths in the farrowing units of ten Danish sow herds. Herds participated for seven to 15 months during 2018-19. We received data (production data and detailed information on the sows that died) on a total of 126 sows. Fifty-three sows were necropsied, and tissues were evaluated histopathologically. Twenty-four percent of the sows died 0-5 days postpartum. The main cause of death in the study was liver lobe torsion, which was diagnosed in 22 of 53 necropsied sows (42%). Deaths caused by liver lobe torsions were less often seen during the 0-5 day postpartum period compared to deaths caused by other reasons (P = 0.002). Seven of the necropsied sows (13%) died from endotoxaemic shock from retained foetuses. This cause of death was seen in seven of ten herds. These sows typically died 1-3 days postpartum. Pneumonia accounted for 13% of deaths in the necropsied sows, but the majority of these sows originated from one herd experiencing a respiratory outbreak caused by the introduction of M. hyopneumonia. Less prevalent causes of death in the study were torsion of the intestinal segment (8%), suspected cardiovascular collapse (8%), rupture of blood vessels (uterine and nonuterine) (8%), gastric ulcer (4%), sepsis (2%) and liver abscess (2%). We concluded that liver lobe torsion needs further attention to establish the background of this surprisingly prevalent cause of death. Furthermore, a need for procedures that ensure efficient farrowing was identified.
Collapse
|
9
|
Malmsten A, Lundeheim N, Dalin AM. Dental disorders in sows from Swedish commercial herds. Acta Vet Scand 2020; 62:27. [PMID: 32498715 PMCID: PMC7273662 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-020-00521-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge on dental disorders in commercial sows is limited although such conditions may have important animal welfare implications. In a pilot study, the dental and periodontal health of 58 sows (Landrace*Yorkshire-crosses) from 8 Swedish commercial pig herds, slaughtered at one abattoir, were investigated. The oral cavity was inspected and abnormalities were recorded on a dental chart modified for pigs. Dental abnormalities, absence of teeth, supernumerary teeth, tooth fractures, signs of caries, and malalignment were recorded. The study revealed that 19% of the sows had supernumerary teeth and 59% of the sows missed at least one tooth. Periodontitis, calculus and malalignment were observed in 33%, 45% and 17%, respectively. Tooth wear was very common both in incisors (total 83%) and in premolars/molars (total 84%). One or more tooth fractures (between 1 and 6 per sow) was found in 41%. Signs of caries was found in 9%. In order to assess oral health, three indices were used: calculus index (CI), periodontal index (PDI) and tooth wear index (TWI). Severe periodontitis, tooth wear in incisors and tooth wear in premolars/molars were found in 7%, 34% and 35%, respectively. With respect to animal welfare, the etiology and the effects of the disorders on health, stress and pain need to be investigated.
Collapse
|