Feeding behaviour of weaned pigs fed either pellets or meal: effects of the number of animals per feeding place

peer reviewe

A single, episodic event of unilateral/bilateral scrotal swelling in a group of adult boars at an Austrian boar stud

Background Scrotal swelling is a clinical situation which can be caused by different aetiologies. In this case report, we describe a multi-week episode of unilateral and bilateral scrotal swelling in boars at an Austrian boar stud and its diagnostic work-up. Case presentation In the summer of 2020, the herd veterinarian of an Austrian boar stud reported that over a period of six weeks, five out of 70 boars presented with unilateral severe swelling of the left scrotum and three out of 70 boars with bilateral severe swelling of the left and moderate swelling of the right scrotum, respectively. A complete history was obtained and an on-site evaluation of the facility was done. Five boars were necropsied, and a variety of samples harvested for further diagnostic investigations. Infectious differential diagnoses associated with unilateral swelling of the scrotum or the testis were excluded through serological and tissue testing. In three of the five boars, histopathology revealed complete acute haemorrhagic necrosis of the left testis concurrent with strongly congested blood vessels. Review of the collected information with a group of experts in the field of boar stud management resulted with consensus that, most likely, trauma was the etiologic event causing the clinical signs and pathology. Coincident with discussion of implementing video recording cameras in the boar housing area, no further clinical cases followed. As this case occurred during the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, we propose that the distress and travelling restrictions may have contributed to frustration among boar stud workers, which was consequently expressed as misbehaviour against boars. Conclusions Once all known infectious causes of unilateral swelling of the scrotum were excluded, a critical diagnostic work-up focused on non-infectious causes. Non-infectious causes, such as trauma, need to be carefully evaluated, as it may also include human misbehaviour against boars. Summarizing all findings of this case report, the authors hypothesize that a blunt trauma was the reason for the series of mainly unilateral swelling of the scrota of boars.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bilateral scrotal swelling in a boar

Introduction: A 3-year-old Landrace boar with a bilateral swelling of the scrotum was submitted to the Swine clinic in August. History reported a period of hyperthermia, anorexia, depression and weight loss in May. Recovery was obtained after a treatment based on antibiotic (lincomycin and ceftiofur) and anti-inflammatory (steroid) medication injections. On July, the boar fell down after a supervised natural mating. Materials and Methods: The present poster describes our clinical approach and conclusions. Results: The boar had a good general condition and a normal appetite. Scrotal palpation was painless. The left hemiscrotum was more enlarged than the right one. Serological analysis allowed to exclude Aujeszky disease virus, Brucella suis and Chlamydia spp., the main agents responsible for orchitis in pigs. Ultrasonography revealed multiple hypoechogenic cavities around both testicles. Semen analysis performed using microscope showed azoospermia. Dissection of the scrotal tissues - performed in October - revealed the presence of kystic structures filled with serous fluid; the largest one had a diameter of approximately 15 cm. These kystic structures were surrounded by an abondant fibrous connective tissue. Histological examination showed the presence of large amount of lymphocytes and hemosiderophages around the kysts. No sign of spermatogenesis was detected in testis. An hyperplasia of the interstitial tissue in detriment to seminiferous tubules was also observed. Conclusion: These results led us to confirm the traumatic origin of the bilateral scrotal swelling observed in this boar. The lesions were the result of a partial resorption of a complex extratesticular hematoma

Influence de la présentation de l’aliment et de l’équipement d’alimentation sur le comportement alimentaire et les performances zootechniques de porcelets sevrés

peer reviewedInfluence of diet form and feeding equipment on feeding behaviour and performance of weaned pigsInfluence de la présentation de l’aliment et de l’équipement d’alimentation sur le comportement alimentaire et les performances zootechniques de porcelets sevrés. Thèse de doctorat en sciences vétérinaires défendue le 23 mai 2005

Factors influencing feeding behaviour and performance of weaned pigs : feeding equipment

Among the most important elements of the nursery pen design, the feeder allows or not the optimisation of pigs' performance. Two principal design features can characterize a feeder : the way pigs will be fed ( wet, dry or wet/dry) and its capacity, which depends in turn on the trough length or the number of feeding spaces ( mono - or multi- space feeder and communal trough). To determine the number of pigs that can be accommodated per feeder, the daily time spent per pig at the feeder - depending on pig size and feed delivered - must be taken into account. Recommendations of 4 to 10 weaned pigs per feeding space are generally given. Pigs are able to adapt their eating behaviour when crowding occurs but suboptimal situations may reduce feed intake and productivity and even impair welfare. Some particularities of the feeder such as limited depth, feeder gap opening, lip height, side panels or protective crate can limit feed spillage and/ or agonistic interactions at the feeder. Feeder position in the pen should prevent pigs to be disturbed while eating and allow free movement of penmates

A case of trichurosis in gilts and fattening pigs

Trichuris suis, also called whipworm, is a parasite of the caecum and colon distributed widely and considered as a fairly common parasite in swine. It may be responsible for porcine trichurosis characterized by diarrhoea, anorexia, growth retardation, dehydration, emaciation and anaemia. This report presents a case of trichurosis diagnosed in a farrow-to-finish Belgian pig herd. The infection was associated with severe and persistent diarrhoea, growth retardation, emaciation and/or anaemia in 10 recently purchased gilts and in fattening pigs. In gilts, levamisole [8 mg/kg body weight] administered once per os gave a good clinical response, as diarrhoea resolved in nine gilts out of 10. In parallel, for these nine gilts, the number of eggs of T. suis/g faeces passed decreased from 12 400 to less than 100 eggs. In fattening pigs, flubendazole (1 mg/kg BW) administrated over 5 days in drinking water allowed a reduction in the number of T. suis eggs/g and was effective against diarrhoea. Although most of the time pig whipworm infections are light and asymptomatic, in some cases when large numbers of worms are present, they can cause watery to bloody diarrhoea that can lead to anaemia. This less frequent disease should not be forgotten in the differential diagnosis of persistent diarrhoea in growing pigs

Welfare implications of pigs buildings design : legal aspects

A new directive laying down standards for the protection of pigs was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (directive 2001/88/CE ; OJC 1 Decembre 2001). This directive is amending directive 91/630/CEE entered into force in Belgium in 1994. The three main topics refer to : the characteristics of the flooring surfaces, pregnant sows housing and the feeding systems. This paper details and discusses these topics and other points involving modifications of pig housing and management.Une nouvelle directive relative à la protection des porcs dans les élevages a été publiée au Journal officiel des Communautés européennes du 1 décembre 2001 (directive 2001/88/CE). Elle complète la réglementation fixée par la directive 91/630/CEE appliquée en Belgique depuis 1994. Trois principaux thèmes sont abordés : les caractéristiques du sol des porcheries, les modes d’hébergement des truies gestantes ainsi que les modalités d’alimentation des animaux. Cet article détaille et discute ces différents aspects ainsi que les autres points qui impliquent une modification des techniques actuelles d’hébergement et des pratiques d’élevage

Rescue of 8 sows fallen in a slurry tank

peer reviewedUn éleveur de porcs Landrace a appelé les pompiers pour le sauvetage de 8 truies de 250 kg tombées dans une fosse à lisier de 300 m². Les animaux étaient inapprochables et il a été décidé d’utiliser la téléanesthésie pour tranquilliser les animaux afin de les approcher et réaliser le sauvetage. Le vétérinaire s’est équipé de moyens de protection individuelle adéquats (appareil respiratoire isolant, vêtements imperméables) et a accompagné un binôme de pompiers dans la fosse, muni d’un fusil anesthésiant. Une première injection d’un mélange de xylazine-kétamine a été administrée dans les muscles de la cuisse. Dix minutes plus tard, une seconde injection intramusculaire (kétamine) a été réalisée au même endroit par le vétérinaire à l’aide d’une seringue à rallonge, les animaux étant, à ce moment, plus facilement approchables. Dix minutes après la deuxième injection, le vétérinaire et les pompiers ont pu approcher le premier animal, lui passer deux élingues larges et opérer une extraction verticale, via un treuil électrique (autopompe). Une fois dehors, les animaux ont été nettoyés, les plaies désinfectées et les animaux réveillés (atipamézole). De plus, une injection de vitamine E et Sélénium a été réalisée, en vue de prévenir les myopathies (stress de l’accident). Des conseils ont été prodigués à l’éleveur et au vétérinaire d’exploitation, pour les jours à venir (surveillance d’infections potentielles)