Introduction Flashcards
Swine are the default models for what?
Surgery and translational research.
Pigs belong to what Order, Family, and Species?
O: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)
F: Suidae
S: Sus scrufa domestica
In the US, pig designation as SPF has a proprietary connotation that denotes what?
Eliminate or prevent disease that stunts growth.
At what age and weight do swine reach sexual maturity and commercial slaughter weight?
115-130 kg, 5-6 months of age
How much do piglets weigh at birth?
1.4 kg
Most pigs used in research are what age, what weight, and gain how much per week?
8-12 weeks, 15-30 kg, gain 2-5 kg/week
Generally, miniature swine should be used for most projects longer than?
Greater than 3 weeks
Generally, how does the health staff of miniature swine compare to SPF animals? How much do miniature swine generally weigh?
Health status generally higher. 30-50 kg at sexual maturity.
Swine should be free from what agents on purchase?
Brucellosis and pseudorabies
How often are piglets generally dewormed? Weanling pigs are generally vaccinated against what agents? Breeding animals should be vaccinated for what additional agents?
Every 4-6 weeks. Generally vaccinated against erysipelas and leptospirosis. Bordetella, Pasteurella, and E. coli.
What type of flooring should swine be housed on? Contact and raised recommendations?
Avoid smooth flooring, such as seamless epoxy. Contact flooring should have a rough surface to provide traction and provide wear to hooves, or should be covered with deep wood-chip bedding (cleanliness and satisfy rooting instinct). Raised slatted fiberglass floors with grit to provide hoof wear.
What methods of restraint are preferred and discouraged?
Slings, like Panepinto, manual restraint of small swine, leashes, and restraining with handheld panels. Discourage snout tying.
Most peripheral vessels are deep, and therefore:
Not visible, with knowledge of their anatomic location essential
Swine are susceptible to atherosclerosis. What models can be used to induce atherosclerosis?
a. Rapacz familial hypercholesterolemia model
2. Induced models with feeding of high-cholesterol and fat-enhanced diets to standard breeds
3. Rapid - Damage endothelium with a balloon catheter (balloon endarterectomy) to produce lesions at specific locations.
What are two genetic pigs models of disease?
- High-membranous ventricular septal defect and von Willebrand’s disease
