Although fostering is often necessary in highly prolific sow units, there are significant risks associated with the procedure:
A frequent observation: after a treatment (injection, etc.) stressed piglets may not suckle for several hours. This has negative consequences for the development of the piglets and may result in milk-congestion in the sow.
Hypogalactia is likely to result in malnutrition of suckling pigs.
The sow should lie in a recumbent position and invite piglets with specific sounds expressing the desire for milk let-down. Piglets will normally try to have facial contact with the sow’s head to stimulate milk release. To ensure optimal interaction between a sow and her piglets, it is important to avoid treating piglets during the first 10 days after birth and, thereafter, when multiple treatments are required, they should be grouped together to minimize the number of interventions.
Nasal Swabs
US - With the recent increase in porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) cases reported this spring, the latest At The Meeting (ATM) with the Morrison Group audio program provides an update on developments in case reporting, effective control steps and immunology in the last year.
Ingelheim, Germany, 26 September 2018 – The winners of the 2018 European PRRS Research Award have been announced at this year’s international swine veterinary assembly by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health in Lisbon, Portugal.
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