Porcine Flash - Porcine Stress Syndrome

Question 1

what is the underlying cause of malignant hyperthermia in pigs?

Answer 1

mutation at the ryanodine receptor on calcium channels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum - autosomal recessive in pigs

Question 2

what are the clinical signs of porcine stress syndrome?

Answer 2

sudden death in several pigs in periods of stress, muscle stiffness/rapidly increasing temperatures, & increased CO2 in a pig during inhalant anesthesia, metabolic & respiratory acidosis with red mottled skin

Question 3

how do you treat malignant hyperthermia in an anesthetized pig?

Answer 3

stop inhalant/procedure, IV dantrolene (muscle relaxant), body cooling, & IV fluids

Question 4

how is anesthesia linked to porcine stress syndrome?

Answer 4

inhalant anesthetics are known triggers

Question 5

what is the test of choice for diagnosing porcine stress syndrome? what are some other choices?

Answer 5

genetic testing!!!! also, history/clinical signs, history of anesthesia, & elevated creatine kinase levels

Question 6

what is the common terminology used to describe muscles on pigs with porcine stress syndrome?

Answer 6

pale, soft, & exudative

Question 7

what pigs are more often affected by PSS?

Answer 7

heavy muscled breeds

Question 8

what is the pathogenesis behind porcine stress syndrome?

Answer 8

hypermetabolic syndrome of skeletal muscles - uncontrolled calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum in myocytes which leads to muscle contraction - muscle metabolism goes crazy producing heat, lactate, CO2, & acidosis