Diseases of the urogenital tract

Question 1

Congenital diseases of the urogenital system

Answer 1

Renal hypoplasia

Cystic kidneys

Cryptorchidism

Inguinal hernia

Question 2

Infectious diseases of the urogenital system

Answer 2

Cystitis / pyelonephritis

Metritis

Vulval discharges

Nephritis in slaughter pigs

Question 3

Nutritional diseases of the urogenital system

Answer 3

Urolithiasis

Mycotoxins

Question 4

Physical causes of urogenital disease

Answer 4

Pelvic organ prolapse

Vulval / penile injury

Question 5

Diseases of the mammary gland

Answer 5

Agalactia

Acute mastitis

Mastitis metritis agalactia complex

Chronic mastitis

Question 6

Bilateral renal hypoplasia

Answer 6

Uncommon and not compatible with life.

Caused by an autosomal recessive gene and restricted mainly to Large White pigs.

Piglets may live for up to 8 weeks.

Occasionally see complete absence of kidneys in renal agenesis.

Question 7

Cystic kidneys

Answer 7

Found occasionally at slaughter in Landrace and Large White; prevalence can reach 10% in some batches of finishers.

Caused by autosomal dominant gene.

Multiple cysts found in tubular parts of the kidney.

Often no clinical signs unless there is renal failure.

Very occasionally may result in obstruction of the renal pelvis with hydronephrosis.

Question 8

Cryptorchidism

Answer 8

Quite commonly seen especially when pigs were routinely castrated.

Caused by a sex linked autosomal recessive gene.

May see several affected male piglets in a litter.

Missing testis may be within peritoneal cavity or within the inguinal ring.

Mostly involves the left testis.

Should not be used for breeding.

Question 9

Hermaphroditism and pseudohermaphroditism

Answer 9

Quite commonly seen as male pseudohermaphrodites with testes but female external genitalia.

When castration was routine uterine horns were seen attached to the spermatic cords.

Infertile.

Hereditary predisposition.

True hermaphrodites have ovarotestes.

Question 10

Scrotal hernia

Answer 10

Check for boar/dam effect

Potential for strangulation or trauma

Surgical correction is possible

Euthanasia may be more appropriate depending on size of hernia and value

Special consideration at transport for slaughter

Question 11

Cystitis and pyelonephritis

Answer 11

Actinobaculum suis

A. suis is usually responsible for multiple case outbreaks in sows soon after natural service.

E. coli associated cases are linked to the post-farrowing period of 2-3 weeks

A. suis organism transmitted by the boar at service. Organism found in the prepuce and prepucial diverticulum of up to 90% of boars

More common in older animals and where water intake low.

Dullness, discomfort and anorexia one to three weeks after service.

Urination painful and urine bloody and contains pus.
May stand with back arched. Temperature initially raised to 40 - 41 C but quickly move into renal failure and shock so sow may have a low T when first presented.
If untreated the animal often deteriorates rapidly as renal failure develops.
May see sudden death if sows are not closely observed daily.

Post mortem - thickened, inflamed bladder wall, obstructed ureters in some cases and pyelonephritis.

Treatment: Parenteral antibiotic - penicillin / streptomycin; ampicillin, or TMPS. NSAIDs, fluids.

Poor prognosis - euthanasia in terminal cases

Question 12

Acute metritis after farrowing

Answer 12

Serious and potentially life threatening disease.

Commonly E. coli is involved. (E. coli, T pyogenes, Staphs., Streps., Proteus)

It may also be associated with the retention of piglets at the end of farrowing.

Such sows become seriously ill with pyrexia, anorexia and a foul smelling vaginal discharge within 24-48 hours of farrowing.

Mortality is high.

Treatment requires aggressive gram negative-targeting antibiotic– e.g. spectinomycin, apramycin, or even fluoroquinolone and NSAID treatment.

Offer oral fluid replacement or even iv fluids may be attempted.

Oxytocin may help empty uterus of toxic material.

Supplementary milk replacer for piglets.

Question 13

Chronic metritis

Answer 13

Retained piglets may become mummified - they may then cause no adverse clinical signs or a low-grade vaginal discharge.

Other cases may arise from poor hygiene at service.

However, the sow will not show regular returns to oestrus or may not cycle / be sub-oestrus.

Treatment usually unsuccessful.

Cases may respond to prolonged antibiotic therapy, or even to 18d altrenogest to induce oestrus and possible expulsion of uterine contents.

Question 14

Post farrowing vulval disharges

Answer 14

Normal in first 5 d post-farrowing

Foul/bloody opaque
- acute metritis
- vulvitis, vaginitis

Question 15

Vulval discharges post weaning/service

Answer 15

Normal post mating 1-2d

Blood stained urine/discharge - cystitis/pyelonephritis (actinobaculum)

Creamy profuse: chronic metritis
- unhygienic AI/cervical injury or ascending environmental infection
- likely reduced fertility - cull

Question 16

Vulval discharge during gestation

Answer 16

Blood stained urine/discharge - cystitis/pyelonephritis (environmental)

Creamy profuse: chronic metritis (i.e. not pregnant)
- poor hygiene
- likely reduced fertility - cull

Question 17

Nephritis lesions in porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome

Answer 17

one of the porcine circovirus associated diseases (PCVAD).

It can result in terminal renal failure in affected pigs but more typically presents are low grade nephritis on PM examination at slaughter.

Question 18

Multifocal interstitial nephritis

Answer 18

‘White spotted kidneys’ - one of the commonest findings at abattoir

Presumed to be caused by Leptospira spp.

Question 19

Urolithiasis

Answer 19

Unbalanced calcium : phosphate ratios (greater then 2:1)

Usually an excess of phosphate

Uroliths usually phosphate-based but may be calcium carbonate

Usually a castrated male growing pig.

Non-specific straining tail flicking, straining.
Depression and inappetence.
Later abdominal enlargement and more severe depression and recumbency following bladder rupture and uraemia.

Urethral catheterisation may help but cannot reach bladder due to the urethral diverticulum in pelvis.

Euthanasia is indicated for affected pigs in commercial situations.

Question 20

Pelvic organ prolapse

Answer 20

Likely multifactorial

Risk factors:
· High perineal score (PS3)
· Low body condition score
· Absence of water purification
· Vaginal microbiome:
§ Prevotella spp. over-growth
· Serum metabolome
§ Butyrate derivatives increased
· Other: mycotoxins (zearalenone), constipation, enteritis

Early stage rectal or vaginal prolapse may be cleaned and replaced and mattress (vulva) or purse string suture around anus (rectal).
Nevertheless, these animals may experience repeat problems and should not be rebred.
Full uterine prolapse requires euthanasia, as do most vaginal or rectal prolapses with secondary damage.

Question 21

What BCS are you aiming for at farrowing?

Answer 21

3-3.5

Question 22

Penile injuries in the boar

Answer 22

Mainly an issue at natural service only, but can also occur following penile prolapse (and associated injury) associated with heavy sedation.

These occur as lacerations of the body of the penis (bite / trauma) or ulcerations often at the preputial reflection.

Use azaperone and ketamine to sedate boar for exam

Debridement and repair surgically if needed. Replace penile prolapses with purse string suture.

Keep off work for 4 weeks

Question 23

Preputial diverticulitis

Answer 23

uncommon.

May see blood after service but not coming from penis.

Diverticulum swollen and firm, if opened may see ulceration.

Exact cause unknown - Chlamydia and Actinobaculum suis suspected but not proven.

Treatment: can attempt antimicrobial lavage with e.g. oxytetracycline.

Prognosis poor.

Surgical resection of diverticulum possible in high value animals.

Question 24

Mammary gland causes of agalactia in sows

Answer 24

Mammary aplasia - rare, may be seen in ergot toxicity

Inversion of nipples

Nipple necrosis (damage)

Mastitis

Question 25

Systemic causes of agalactia in the sow

Answer 25

Sow unwell - can affect milk production and willingness to feed

Dehydration

Insufficient feed

Litter savaging by sow - puerperal psychosis, sedate with azaperone or pentobarbitone

Other stress - supplement piglets to reduce stress

Question 26

Environmental causes of agalactia in the sow

Answer 26

Poor crate/creep design

Cold environment

Question 27

Piglet causes of agalactia in the sow

Answer 27

Unwell so not trying hard enough to stimulate milk let down

Question 28

Acute mastistis vs MMA syndrome

Answer 28

Acute mastitis is potentially life threatening to the sow whilst MMA is a relatively mild disease.

Both result in severe reduction of the milk supply and if untreated may rapidly be accompanied by heavy piglet losses.

Acute mastitis usually only involves a few (1 - 6) of the mammary glands. MMA usually produces induration in all of the mammary glands.

Acute mastitis usually presents with an elevated temperature initially whilst MMA usually has a low temperature.

Question 29

Acute mastitis

Answer 29

Klebsiella spp, E. coli and possibly gram positive organisms

Saw dust bedding is particularly likely to harbour Klebsiella spp.

Gain access through one or more streak canals- Sow has two glands per teat and hence two streak canals per teat

One or both glands may be affected. Wet, dirty saw dust bedding particularly dangerous. Bites by unclipped piglet teeth may allow organisms to enter udder. Infection usually seen 1 - 3 days after farrowing.

Sow dull, depressed and anorexic. T initially elevated 40 - 42 C but in toxaemic animal T falls rapidly and may soon become subnormal.

purple blotches associated with septicaemia and toxaemia over the skin of the jowl, flanks and caudal aspects of hind legs. Sow reluctant to stand. Her gait may be hesitant and ataxic. Milk in affected glands may be watery, blood stained or purulent.

Antibiotic – penicillin/streptomycin combination, or TMPS works well. Also clavulanic acid / amoxycillin. NSAIDs or corticosteroids are beneficial. Fluid therapy i/v

Prognosis: Very guarded in very sick sow

Question 30

Mastitis - Metritis - Agalactia Complex

Answer 30

common

possibly an endotoxaemia, with E coli involvement. Toxin may come from the organism in the gut or the uterus. Beta haemolytic streptococci have also been implicated

Usually seen 12 hrs - 3 days after farrowing. Affected sows often thought to have excessive milk at farrowing time

Lack of periparturient exercise, excessive feeding around farrowing, fat sows, very finely ground food and poor hygiene

Suppression of prolactin production by endotoxins may be one cause of lack of milk. Anorexia and failure to drink may also be involved

Sow goes off her food and is unwilling to feed her piglets. Lies in sternal recumbency

Piglets appear hungry

May be a slight, white or occasionally yellow vaginal discharge.

Udder generally indurated

Less milk than normal can be expressed from the teats

Prognosis: Good for the sow but bad for the litter

Treatment: Steroid therapy using dexamethasone is very helpful. Antibiotic (pen / strep may be helpful)