Obstetrical And Surgical Abnormalities And Interventions In Swine

Question 1

Normal and abnormal farrowing

Answer 1

• Anterior and posterior presentations are normal
• dystocia is rare in sows (size difference) ~ ≤1%

Question 2

Signs of a difficult farrowing

Answer 2

• prolonged gestation
• no delivery within 1 or 2 hours after onset of labour OR interval between delivery of piglets is more than 1 hour
• lack of appetite
• straining without delivery
• foul-smelling, brown/grey discharge
• sow’s eyes become reddish
• bloody fluid and/or meconium are discharged without signs of straining

Question 3

What is meconium?

Answer 3

Thick, green, tar-like substance that lines foetus’s intestines during pregnancy
- is not released from the pig’s bowel until the beginning of the birth
- a pig will have a bowel movement prior to birth and excreting the meconium into the amniotic fluid

Question 4

Examination of the birth canal

Answer 4

When the time between the birth of pigs exceeds one hour —> intervention is necessary

Question 5

Main causes of dystocia

Answer 5

• myometral contractions (uterine inertia) (hormonal or nutritional abnormalities)
• obstruction of the birth canal

Question 6

Types of farrowing problems and methods of assistance

Answer 6

1. uterine inertia (uterus is unable to contract)
   - manual intervention, oxytocin (?)
2. Obstruction of the birth canal
   - manual intervention

Question 7

Indication of caesarean section in sows

Answer 7

• large foetuses
• emphysematous foetuses (dam is usually hypotensive and toxic)
• fetal monsters
• laceration of the vaginal canal (reduces the diameter of the birth canal)
• specific pathogen-free (SPS) pigs

Question 8

When prognosis for caesarean section in sows is good?

Answer 8

In labour for a minimum of 6 to 12 hours

Prognosis is poor if > 12 hours

Question 9

Anaesthesia in case of caesarean section in sows

Answer 9

General IV anaesthesia
- light sedation to remove the piglets followed by a deeper plane of anaesthesia for suturing + local anaesthesia

Lumbosacral epidural:
15 to 20 ml of 2% lidocaine for an average 120 to 145kg sow + local anaesthesia

Sedation:
250kg sow -> 12 ml Azaperone

Induction:
250kg sow -> 12,5 ml ketamine + 5 ml Midazolam

Question 10

Position for caesarean anaesthesia in swine