Lecture 5: Management of Sows During Farrowing and Lactation

Question 1

pre-farrowing management

Answer 1

• prepare the farrowing pen
• deworm sows
• transfer the sow
• feed the sow
• wash sows

Question 2

preparing the farrowing pen

clean, disinfect, leave to dry for _ to _ days before arrival of sow

Answer 2

clean, disinfect, leave to dry for 3 to 5 days before arrival of sow

Question 3

deworming

deworm sows _ to _ days before transferring to the farrowing pen

Answer 3

deworm sows 10 to 14 days before transferring to the farrowing pen

Question 4

transfer of sows to the farrowing pen

it is done _ to _ days before EDF

Answer 4

it is done 5 to 7 days before EDF

Question 5

pre-farrowing

the sow is fed with a bulk or ____ diets 1 weeek before EDF to avoid constipation

Answer 5

the sow is fed with a bulk or laxative diets 1 weeek before EDF to avoid constipation

Question 6

signs of farrowing

Answer 6

• restlessness, nervousness
• swelling of the vulva and presence of meconium (piglets’ feces)
• nesting behavior
• distinct swelling of mammary gland
• slackening of abdomen
• milk let down – presence of milk when teats are stripped indicates that the sow will farrow within 24 hours

Question 7

pre-farming operations scheduling

cleaning of pens is done _ days before transfer

Answer 7

cleaning of pens is done 5 days before transfer

Question 8

pre-farming operations scheduling

deworming is done _ days before transfer

Answer 8

deworming is done 14 days before transfer

Question 9

pre-farrowing operations - true or false

antibiotic supplementation is done 4 days before and 5 days after transfer

Answer 9

false

antibiotic supplementation is done 4 days before and 5 days after EDF

Question 10

farrowing process

• it starts with the appearance of ____ ____ together with the fecal matter of the fetus
• the fetus follows within _ minutes
• ave. interval between fetal expulsion is _ minutes
• ave. farrowing time is _ hours
• it is finished upon expulsion of placenta

Answer 10

• it starts with the appearance of amniotic fluid together with the fecal matter of the fetus
• the fetus follows within 15 minutes
• ave. interval between fetal expulsion is 25 minutes
• ave. farrowing time is 4.5 hours
• it is finished upon expulsion of placenta

Question 11

indications of difficult birth

Answer 11

• gestation goes beyond normal limit
• sow has whitish, foul, vaginal discharge
• there is straining of the sow, but piglets are not farrowed
• extended farrowing time

Question 12

indications of difficult birth

an extended time of more than _ mins is an indication of difficult birth

Answer 12

an extended time of more than 30 mins is an indication of difficult birth

Question 13

true or false

normal interval for gilts is 15 to 20 mins

Answer 13

false

normal interval for gilts is 15 to 30 mins

Question 14

normal interval for sows is _ to _ mins

Answer 14

normal interval for sows is 15 to 20 mins

Question 15

advantages of having an attendant during farrowing

Answer 15

1. reduce stillbirth
2. minimize crushing
3. prevent starvation
4. acoid cannibalism
5. minimize dystocia

Question 16

how is calcium and oxytocin administered

• manual checking of piglets inside using a disporable catheter
• inject ____ ____
• inject the oxytocin on the ____ ____
• record the time of ____
• record the time when the last piglet comes out

Answer 16

• manual checking of piglets inside using a disporable catheter
• inject Calcium Borogluconate
• inject the oxytocin on the vulva lips
• record the time of administration
• record the time when the last piglet comes ou

Question 17

purpose of oxytocin

Answer 17

to stimulate uterine contractions

Question 18

management practices after farrowing

Answer 18

• keep the farrowing pen crlean
• health care

Question 19

management practices after farrowing

how is the pen cleaned?

Answer 19

• dead pigs are removed and discarded
• pen and sow is dry cleaned

Question 20

management practices after farrowing

health care practices

Answer 20

• give the sow a bath after 1 week
• monitor am and pm temp of sow few days after farrowing
• watch out for MMA (12 h to 3d)

MMA stands for Metristis, Mastitis, and Agalactia

Question 21

MMA

Metritis (inflammation of ____)
Mastitis (inflammation of ____)

Answer 21

metritis (inflammation of uterus)
mastitis (inflammation of udder)

Question 22

MMA

no milk let down, associated with inadequate water supply, overstimulation of milk production and udder not being

Answer 22

agalactia

Question 23

MMA

symptoms of metritis

Answer 23

• fever (>39 C)
• does not eat
• whitish or brownish discharghe from vulva

Question 24

MMAa

symptoms of mastitis

Answer 24

• discolaration of udder

cause: bacterial infection, may be due cuts from needle teeth of piglet

Question 25

feeding the lactating sow after farrowing

1. do not feed _ hrs from farrowing – cause ____ of milk
2. on the 2nd day, start building up its daily feed – gradual increase until full feeding is achieved on the _ day
3. avoid overfeeding and underfeeding the sow
4. free access to water – _ to _ L of water per day

Answer 25

1. do not feed 12 hrs from farrowing – cause overproduction of milk
2. on the 2nd day, start building up its daily feed – gradual increase until full feeding is achieved on the 7th day
3. avoid overfeeding and underfeeding the sow
4. free access to water – 15 to 30 L of water per day