Porcine Flashcards
domestic pig origins
originates from the Eurasian wild boar (sus scrofa)
which type of hoofstock are pigs?
artiodactyla
close relatives of the pig
babirusas, warthogs, peccaries, endangered pygmy hog
genus
sus
family
suidae
lifespan
up to 15 years
barrow
castrated male
boar
intact male
rig
male with undescended testicles
gilt
female who has not yet farrowed
sow
female who has farrowed
shoat/hog
growing pig
runt
smallest piglet in a litter
abattoir
pig slaughter and processing house
what types of meat do we get from food production pigs?
fresh meat, cured meat (bacon, ham), lard
domestic pig temperament
calmer and more content than the wild relative but still inquisitive and can be aggressive if disturbed
can pigs sweat?
no, they lose heat by panting
this makes them prone to sunburn and heatstroke in the summer and can catch colds easily in winter
what happens if pigs are deprived of water?
they develop salt poisoning
osteomalacia
caused by feeding waste food (pig swill) or feeding an unbalanced diet
Chester white pig
originated in Chester County, PA
white hogs with droopy, medium-sized ears
known for mothering ability, durability, and muscle quality
Berkshire pig
black with white snout, legs, and tail
known for fast and efficient growth, reproductive success, cleanliness, and meat flavor
Duroc pig
red pigs with drooping ears
valued for product quality, carcass yield, fast growth, and lean-gain efficiency
Hampshire pig
hogs with a “belt”
known for producing lean muscle, high carcass quality, large loins, and minimal backfat
females known for mothering ability and longevity
spotted pig
characterized by large black or white spots
known for rate of weight gain and carcass quality
females known for durability and docile temperament
which breed is the most common mini pig?
Vietnamese pot-bellied
purebred pot-bellied pigs
typically all black with straight tails and upright ears
how can the size of a mini pig be estimated?
can be estimated by size of the parents
mini pigs reach ~1/2 their adult size and weight by 1 year old but continue growing until 4-5 years old
what are the main types of mini pigs?
pork type (for production of meat) and bacon type (for cured meat, bacon, and ham)
Landrace pig
large droopy ears, pink color
dark coat color vs light coat color
white skinned breeds are more susceptible to sun scald so not well suited to free range systems
darker colored coat breeds are more resistant to sun scald
Tamworth pig
brown
prolific breeders
sows are good sucklers and docile with young
suitable to open air pens or paddock feeding conditions
Saddleback pig
black pigs with white band over shoulders, floppy ears
hardy, efficient grazers, reliable breeder
at what age do gilts reach sexual maturity?
by 8 months old
pig gestation
115 days
how many piglets do sows farrow?
6-14 piglets twice a year
what time of day do sows typically farrow?
at night
anterior teats vs posterior teats
anterior teats have more milk
what to do if a piglet is not nursing
might need assistance if there is competition
can also be given a sucrose IP injection or cow’s colostrum
leading causes of death in the 1st few days of a piglet’s life
crushing or starvation
farrowing crates
metal stalls where sows are typically housed from a few days before parturition until weaning (21-28 days)
welfare concerns of farrowing crates
inability of sow to turn or groom, reduction of nose to nose contact with piglets
microclimates for farrowing quarters
cool one for the sow (60-65 F) and a hot one for the piglets (85-95 F for the 1st few days then 70-80 F)
mummification
more common in swine
if only a few fetuses die instead of abortion, the mummies are delivered at term along with the live piglets and still births
how much do runts typically weigh at birth?
~2 1/2 lbs or less
split suckle
removing the largest piglets for 1-2 hours 12 hours after farrowing in the morning and again in the afternoon
this allows the smallest pigs to nurse without competition
sow is given oxytocin (1-1.5 mL) injection each time the largest piglets are removed
crossfostering
piglets removed from biological litter and litters are created based on similar weights
most effective way to reduce within litter piglet weight variation and more evenly match the number of piglets with the sow’s ability to raise them
should be done before they’re 24-48 hours old
teat fidelity
preference for a teat
establishes within 1st days after birth and the piglet will almost always suckle at the same teat or pair of teats
gives them an advantage due to reducing competition and fighting at udder
segregated early weaning
2 week old piglets that are ready to wean are removed while they still have sow immunity and they are raised in a separate area to try to reduce disease spread
creep feeding
practice of feeding a solid diet to piglets while they are suckling the sow which prepares their digestive system for weaning
initiates and promotes gut and digestive enzyme development which enables the piglet to digest nutrients from food sources other than that of milk
later weaning
occurs at 3-4 weeks old
all in all out
housing according to stage so there is less risk of disease transmission
pig processing
clipping teeth, clipping/treating umbilical cord, iron administration, tail docking, identification, treating splay-legged piglets, provide supplemental nutrients, castration
might not do everything depending on what owner wants to do
needle teeth
newborn piglets have 8 needle teeth or wolf teeth located on the sides of their upper and lower jaws
needle teeth clipping
many producers will clip the needle teeth within 24 hours after birth to decrease the chance of piglets lacerating each other and/or sow’s udder
clip away only 1/2 of each tooth
tail docking
done to prevent potential for tail biting problems among pen mates
done by simple cold clipping with sanitized side cutters
iron injections
piglets born with very little iron reserve and colostrum/milk only provides 15-50% of their daily requirement
iron injection administered IM in neck or can be given in rump for non-food production pigs
don’t administer beyond 7 days of age
copper and iron
small amount of copper is essential for utilization of iron
copper deficiency can also lead to anemia
ID methods
ear notching or tattooing
umbilical cord care
if excess bleeding occurs tie it off with string using a square or surgeon’s knot or clamp with plastic clip
if cord is dried: clip off
if cord is fresh and not dried: cut it off with side cutters, if tied leave about 1 inch, apply iodine antiseptic by swabbing, spraying, or dipping
splayed legs
congenital condition
mortality rate in piglets with only back legs splayed can be decreased by taping the legs soon after birth to prevent them from extending sideways
piglets with front and back leg splayed are usually euthanized
castration
common for male piglets destined for slaughter because boar meat has an odor during cooking
restraint for castration
suspension by hind legs, castration stand or another person, v-trough, held with a hand or between someone’s legs
how is a castration performed?
2 vertical cuts or 1 horizontal cut is made to the skin of the scrotum and testes are removed by cutting spermatic cord with scalpel or pulling until cord tears
most effective analgesics for castration
combination of lidocaine and meloxicam are most effective but typically we don’t use any anesthesia or analgesia
alternatives to castration
slaughter before puberty or immunocastration = injection of a compound that induces antibody production against gonadotropin releasing hormone, requires 2 injections: 1st one at 8-11 weeks prior to slaughter and the 2nd one at 4 weeks before slaughter
how do you read ear notching on a pig?
look at the pig head on
left ear indicates the litter number
right ear indicates the individual pig number
are pigs a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore?
they are omnivores
pig teeth
besides needle teeth, boars have canine teeth or tusks that grow throughout their life
the lower tusks are kept sharp by friction against the upper ones making them formidable weapons
numerous tubercles make the occlusal surface of the molars irregular which is ideal for crushing food
what type of breeding do most producers use?
cross-breeding system which is breeding two different breeds together instead of straight breeding system
artificial insemination
pigs are usually artificially inseminated twice 12-24 hours apart in the middle of the 2-3 days of estrus (aka standing heat)
shape of glans penis and semen collection
shaped like a corkscrew and the female pig has a corresponding shape that locks together
the glans penis must be stimulated for semen collection
how are breeds classified?
as maternal line (genetics designed for more pigs per litter, higher milk production, and docile temperament) vs terminal line (genetic factors allowing for fast growth, well muscles and meaty, lean and durable pigs)
hog snare
restraint device
crowd the pig into a corner with a partition then place the snare in its mouth and pull the loop around its upper jaw tightly
large pigs > 400 lbs need a short tied rope snare
birth to harvest
6 months, will end up being ~250 lbs
farrow-to-finish production
most common and covers the entire process from breeding to sales of market hogs
feeder production
involves producing pigs to sell to other producers to be fed for market
have a herd of sows for breeding
pigs are sold at ~50 lbs
wholesale cuts of pork
shoulder butt, picnic shoulder, loin, side, leg
what are other uses for pigs besides food production?
pet pigs, organ donors, biomedical research models (their A&P is closer to a human’s than other animals)
truffle hog
female pigs used to hunt truffles in North America and Europe
they have an excellent sense of smell and are beckoned to the truffle since they contain androstenol
androstenol
sex hormone found in the saliva of male pigs, and found in human sweat glands
pig handling
be calm, quiet, and patient
be aware of flight zone and point of balance
plastic sorting boards: physical aids to move pigs
rattle paddles: provides visual and auditory aid to move pigs
venipuncture
swine RBCs somewhat fragile
lateral auricular vein, jugular, or cranial vena cava
lateral auricular vein venipuncture
used for small samples, access from the dorsal side of the pinna, insert the needle at 45 degree angle, can use needle hub technique collection since the vein easily collapses with negative pressure
jugular vein for venipuncture
use right side to avoid phrenic nerve
needle inserted perpendicular to the skin and directed dorsocaudally and slightly medially
cranial vena cava venipuncture
cranial vena cava lies in thoracic inlet between 1st pair of ribs leading to the right and left jugular veins
good for large samples
always use the right side to avoid the phrenic nerve
vena cava is between 1/2 and 2 inches depending on animal size
needle inserted at caudal extent of right jugular furrow and directed toward the caudal aspect of the top of the opposite shoulder blade
restraint for cranial vena cava venipuncture
small pigs placed in dorsal recumbency with head held firmly, front legs extended and pulled caudally
larger animals are restrained while standing usually with a hog snare and head raised slightly
injections
IM: shoulder for meat pigs, otherwise can go in rump
SQ: auxillary and inguinal areas for small pigs or behind ear in larger pigs
anesthesia and malignant hyperthermia
predisposition to malignant hyperthermia which is a genetic hypermetabolic disorder that causes cyanosis, hyperthermia, and acidosis
malignant hyperthermia treatment
discontinue anesthesia, administer O2, and body can be cooled with cold water packs or ice packs wrapped in towels
pig intubation
one of the most difficult species to intubate and improper technique can result in trauma
animal should be at a deeper anesthetic level for intubation because of laryngospasm
anesthesia monitoring
jaw tone is the most reliable indicator of anesthetic depth
how is vomiting and aspiration under anesthesia prevented?
by fasting overnight but never restrict water
Aujeszky’s disease
pseudorabies
highly contagious viral infection that causes CNS signs in young animals, respiratory illness in older pigs, and reproductive losses in sows
young piglet mortality rate high but older animals usually recover
recovered swine carry subclinically
other species infected when in contact with infected pigs or eat raw porcine tissues resulting in neurological signs that are fatal within a few days
foot and mouth disease (FMD)
highly contagious viral disease of wild and domestic animals but horses are resistant
outbreaks are followed by eradication
African swine fever (ASF)
highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs
not a risk to humans but it is reportable
classical swine fever (CSF)
aka hog cholera
contagious viral disease of domestic and wild swine
survives in pork and processed pork products for months when refrigerated and years when frozen
pigs can become infected by eating CSF-infected pork meat or products
swine influenza
common worldwide
produces flu like symptoms and can cause miscarriage
swine flu
zoonotic
responsible for a pandemic in 2009-2010
type of seasonal flu
low mortality: fatalities more likely in kids or elderly
porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED)
highly contagious coronavirus
causes acute watery diarrhea in pigs of all ages
most severe signs are seen in < 2 week old piglets
severe dehydration and mortalities up to 100% in affected litters
MMA
mastitis, metritis, agalactia
complex syndrome seen in sows 12 hours-3 days after farrowing
caused by bacterial infection of mammary glands and/or urogenital tract
leads to increased piglet mortality and decreased weaning weights
mastitis
bacterial infection of udder
usually only 1 or 2 glands affected
metritis
infection of the uterus
vulval d/c seen
agalactia
reduced or total loss of milk production
often not detected until nursing litter shows signs of hunger and/or weight loss
CS: constipation, fever, anorexia
inappetence 1st to be noted along with restlessness during suckling and loss of condition in litter
atrophic rhinitis (AR)
destroys nasal turbinates
mortality low but affects growth rate and feed efficiency
CS in piglets: sneezing, nasal/ocular d/c; later symptom: distorted snout
atrophy of turbinate bones may be accompanied by distortion of nasal septum and shortening/widening of upper jaw
significance declined due to early weaning and vaccination
E. coli scours
“baby pig scours” “white scours” “bacterial enteritis”
highly contagious disease caused by several strains of E. coli
affects newborns within the 1st week of life
prevention: sanitation, proper sow nutrition and vaccination
reproductive and respiratory syndrome
“mystery swine disease”
CS: anorexia, fever, lethargy, neurologic signs, purplish discoloration of ears and vulva, abortion
recently infected dams: increased rates of mummification, still births, and weak-born piglets; these piglets may carry virus for an extended period
newborns show severe respiratory disease and may also see neurologic signs, anorexia, lethargy
erysipelas
excreted via saliva, feces, urine
may be subclinical, cause acute illness, or be chronic characterized by enlarged joints, lameness, endocarditis
inconsistent feature only seen in acute cases: rhomboid skin lesions
erysipeloid
localized skin infection, occurs in people who work with infected animals or process meats/poultry/fish/animal by-products
vaccination, good sanitation, elimination of carriers with skin and joint lesions, and appropriate quarantine measures for purchased stock aids in control
exudate epidermitis
“greasy pig”
staph infection
oozing of fluid from inflamed skin, toxins eventually damage liver and kidneys
during the days after farrowing the bacterium multiplies profusely in sow’s vagina; piglets are frequently infected during birth process or soon after
exudate epidermtitis CS
starts with small, dark localized areas of infection around face or on legs where skin has been damaged
skin along flanks, belly, and between legs changes to a brown color gradually involving whole of body
skin becomes wrinkled with flaking of large areas and greasy feel
euthanasia/slaughter/harvest methods
captive bolt, electrical stunning, CO2
captive bolt euthanasia
penetrating stunner that drives a bolt unto the brain
non-penetrating stunner (mushroom stunner) that drives a bolt with flattened circular end against the external surface of the head over the brain
electrical stunning euthanasia
may be used to produce surgical anesthesia in pigs and sheep before outright killing them
animal should experience a tonic phase where the body goes rigid followed by a clonic phase where animal is paddling/kicking
CO2 euthanasia
can be used to produce surgical anesthesia in sheep, calves, pigs
noxious substance that is irritating to the respiratory tract and unconsciousness is not immediate which has welfare concerns
genetic variation impacts whether the animal responds badly or not; hybrids seem to be less negatively impacted
euthanasia for food production laws
law states that livestock must be killed with a single blow or gunshot or an electrical, chemical, or other means that is rapid and effective unless there is a religious exemption
slaughterhouse inspections are an important part of USDA inspections to ensure humane slaughter
handling prior to slaughter
use low-stress handling
animals are usually stressed because of the new environment, habituate the animals beforehand to handling
vocalizations during slaughter = stress, re-evaluate system
who developed increased low-stress systems for slaughterhouses?
Grandin
figured out that animals are highly influenced by what they can see so curved chutes are used so they can’t see what’s ahead
removing distractions also helps them move more easily through the slaughter plant
created a center-track conveyor restrainer for cattle stunning: moves cattle in a way that removes the need for prodding the animals into the stun box
