Date: June 28th 2018Place: Newcastle (UK)
We need accurate ways to assess pain in pigs in order to evaluate the welfare consequences of interventions and to develop more effective pain mitigation strategies, according to a recently published review* of various methods currently under investigation.
The objective of the study was to investigate if the oral meloxicam administration to sows during farrowing reduces pain and infection and increases the well-being as well as the suckling behaviour of the sow. This will lead to improved intake of milk in piglets which has a positive effect on the transfer of maternal immunity, weight gain and survival capability of the piglets.
"Stereotypies such as bar biting or sham chewing are frequent in pregnant sows kept in stalls, while they are less frequent in sows kept in groups"
Milk production is at peak level on day 18 +/- 1 of lactation where up to about 16 litres/day is produced depending on:
Litter size and vitality of the suckling pigs
Genetic potential
Health status
Leading swine veterinarians address overall vaccination compliance issues critical to effectively managing Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and porcine circovirus in the latest At the Meeting (ATM) programme, produced by Dr Bob Morrison, University of Minnesota.
Reduced farrowing times with uterotonic, Vetrabutin
Different super script means statistically significant differences (Source: D. Mota Rojas et al., 2005)
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