114.Most important disturbances in the farrowing unit

Question 1

List the 13 Most important disturbances in the farrowing unit?

Answer 1

Mainly seen in primiparous (maiden) sows (gilts)

1. Weak contractions after 7-8 piglets
2. Jamming of the piglets at the uterine bifurcation/cervix → Assist by hand/C- section
3. Poor birth weight of piglets → 750-800g
4. Hypothermia of the piglets → Colostrum
5. Aggression of the sow → Common in primiparous sows
6. More piglets than number of teats → Nursing
7. Agalactia (rare after a normal farrowing)
8. MMA(Mastitis, metritis & agalactia) / PPDS(Post-partum dysgalactia syndrome)

Prolonged farrowing; Dead foetuses

→ Pregnant sow feed → Suckling feed

E. coli → Immediate Abx treatment

9. Infertility → Biggest economic loss
10. Parvovirus infection (SMEDI) - Stillborn mummification, embryonic death, infertility
11. Other pathogens: Leptospira pomonoa; Leptospira hyos; E. coli; E. rhusiopathiae; African Swine

Fever; Fusarium (T2 toxin); Aspergillus → Abortus should be sent to the government lab should

ASF be suspected

12. PRRS (Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome) → Impacts the 3rd trimester

→ transplacental infection

Mummies; Splay leg piglets; Weak/dead piglets Low

fertilization rate

→ Prevention; Farm level hygiene; National program

13. Prolapse → Vaginal; Cervical; Uterine → Treatment is usually farm-specific

Question 2

Summarise the most important disturbances with treatment and notes on each!?

Answer 2

Question 3

What can be done for prevention?

Answer 3

What can be done

1. Herd diagnosis & herd health management
2. Genetic studies
3. Feed control
4. “Interesting methods”
   a. Intermittent suckling from week 3-4; Piglets taken away from sow every day for

several hours

b. Kinder garden: From week 3 → Open connection of farrowing cages
c. Both methods result in longer suckling periods → Better for involution
5. Control work of the vet:
a. Hygiene
b. Order of labour & rotation
c. Inspection of installed equipment
d. Storage of feed samples
e. Weaning not before 4 weeks
f. AI
g. Conditions of involution & re-fertilization
6. (Individual therapy)