Pigs Flashcards
What are the names that go with this basic big terminology?
1. Of or resembling a pig
2. Young female before first litter
3. A female pig that has a litter of piglets
4. Pregnant sow but not lactating
5. A vasectomised boar
6. A castrated male pig
7. Male pig of breeding age
8. The process of a gilt/sow giving birth
9. Animal from birth to weaning
10. Unusually small piglet
11. Animal taken off its mothers milk
- Porcine
- Gilt
- Sow
- Dry Sow
- V-boar
- Barrow
- Boar
- Farrowing
- Piglet
- Runt
- Weaner
What is the purpose of a V-boar?
Used for heat detection in sows
Are castrated pigs common in the UK?
No
What are the 3 different names given to a group of pigs?
Herd (most common)
Passel
Sounder
What is there only 1 of in a litter?
A runt
Whats the purpose of teeth clippers?
To clip piglets teeth reduce harm to each other and the mother
When can pigs teeth be clipped?
It must be done before the piglets reach seven days old (some farm assurance schemes do not permit this procedure before 3 days old)
What is the purpose of a tail cauterisation?
To dock pigs tails
When can pigs tails be cauterised?
before 7 days old
What is the purpose of a pig slapper?
It is an ink based identifier used on the pigs shoulder as a form of identification
How is a pig slapper used?
It is inked up and then it is used to slap each shoulder on the pig penetrating the skin slightly to ensure a eligible mark is left
What is the purpose of a sorting board?
Its used as an aid to move pigs
What id the purpose of a rattle paddle?
Its an aid for moving pigs
What is the purpose of a snout snare?
For the restraint of pigs for vaccines etc.
Why are scales often used with young pigs?
As its a good health indicator
What is the purpose of a syringe gun?
To easily administer the correct volume of medication
What is the purpose of a slapshot vaccinator?
Allows you to vaccinate the animal without the worry the it will move and the needle will snap off
What equipment is banned on organic farms>
teeth clippers and tail cauterisations
What can you not use on a piglet that weighs under 10kg?
A snout snare
If performing a tail customisation after 7 days of age what must be done?
The pig must go under anaesthetic and be administered and additional prolonged analgesia
Who can perform tail cauterisations?
vets or trained stock people
How must the tail cauterisation process go?
It must involve a quick and complete severance of the tail
Why would you need to cauterise a piglets tail?
To try and stop tail biting behaviour, you can only cauterise tails if there has been evidence of this behaviour and it is a last resort
In a group of pigs which would you use the pig rattle on to move them along?
The pig behind the pig first in line
How should you use a snout snare?
Snare loop should be positioned in the mouth, over the top of the jaw and snout of the animal. The loop should be as far back into the mouth as possible before it is tightened. Th handler should always have one hand on the handle and one on the closing clasp. Do not use to drag or move pig.
How do you handle a piglet weighing less and 10kg?
Crouch and grasp hind eg above hock. Place other hand under piglets chest/thorax to support animal when lifting off the ground. Hold the piglet close to body when examining.
Crouch and place piglets forelimbs on the ground and instantaneously release the piglet.
(Never grab forelimbs, ears or tail)
What is a withhold period and why do some medicines have one?
It’s the time by law that has to pass after treatment before the animal can go for human consumption as some drugs chemical residues pose risks to humans when consumed in milk or meat.
Where is the intravenous injection site in piglets and adults?
Vein in ear (jugular if lard volumes of blood are required)
Where is the subcutaneous injection site in adults?
Behind the base of the ear as there is loose skin
Where is the subcutaneous injection site in piglets?
Flappy skin caudal at elbow, or cranial to the knee (stifle joint)
Where is the intramuscular injection site in piglets and adults?
The neck
When giving intramuscular injections what area must you always avoid unless absolutely necessary?
The ‘ham’ area (back leg) as this is the prime cut of meet
what do these injection types mean:
Intravenous?
Intramuscular?
Subcutaneous?
Into the vein
Into the muscle
Under the skin
What is ileitis (porcine proliferative enteropathy)?
A bacterial illness caused by the bacteria Lawsinia intacellularis
What is the presentation of ileitis and what are the signs?
Presentation : Acute, chronic, subclinical
Signs : Slow growth rate(subclinical), size variations within a group + loose stools (chronic + acute), haemorrhagic stools (acute)
Are pigs social or solitary?
Social animals who are happiest in a herd
Why do pigs have poor depth perception?
Its due to their binocular vision which covers approximately 50 degrees
Why would uneven flooring cause stress to pigs?
They don’t have depth perception so any uneven or changes in flooring is hard for them to see
Can pigs see around them?
Yes, pigs have wide peripheral vision (approximately 310 degrees around them)
Do pigs have a blind spot, iIf so where is it?
Their blind spot is directly behind them so they can be easily frightened
How is the flight zone best utilised?
It allows you to move the pig in the direction you want by placing pressure on it
Where is the pigs point of balance?
Across its shoulders
What is the name given to species like pigs where pathogenic viruses and bacteria rapidly replicate?
Amplifying hosts
What are two examples of pig relates zoonosis diseases?
Swine Flu and Streptococcal meningitis
What are other names given to rattle paddles?
Flapper or pig paddles
