Esophagogastric Ulcer in Pigs on Commercial Farms

Intensive swine production in modern conditions of breeding and use of technological processes has influenced the occurrence of wide range of breeding and technopathy diseases. One of the most abundant breeding diseases declared in literature as an independent disease is esophagogastric ulcer characterized by erosions and ulcers in mostly esophagogastric part and rarely in mucous part of stomach. Esophagogastric ulcer is a disease of multifactorial etiology caused by genetic predisposition, diet, and presence of certain pathogenic microorganisms (for example Helicobacter pylori). The goal of our research was to examine the frequency of esophagogastric ulcer in pigs on commercial farms. One commercial farm has its own slaughterhouse for producing meat of fattened pigs. In our experiment we used 103 pigs in fattening with body weight between 100 and 107 kg and aged from 6 to 7 months. In the process line of slaughterhouse we established thickening of esophageal surface, hyperkeratosis, nonstructural yellow surface in 37 of total of 103 animals, while erosion of esophageal part of stomach, surface damage which does not include damage of muscular layer of mucous membrane, was present in 29 of 103 animals. Ulcers of esophageal part of stomach which affect total thickness of mucosal membrane were present in 4 of 103 examined animals

Prevalence and clinical signs of postpartum dysgalactia syndrome at the first day after farrowing in farmed sows in the Republic of Macedonia

The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS) and associated clinical signs in farmed sows in the Republic of Macedonia (RM) in the first 12-24 h postpartum. A total of 202 sows of different parity and different genetic lines from 5 pig farms in RM were included in the study. The sows and their litters were clinically examined 12-24 hours after farrowing. Postpartum dysgalactia syndrome was detected in 23.3% of all clinically examined sows, while prevalence between farms ranged from 14.8% to 38.1%. Altered piglet’s behavior was the most frequent clinical pattern observed in 68.1% of the PDS–affected (PDSA) sows. Regarding the clinical signs in PDSA sows detected among farms, significant differences were observed in the altered piglet’s behavior (p lt 0.05) and hypogalactia (p lt 0.05). Endometritis was more often detected in older sows (90%) compared to endometritis in younger animals (44.4%). In addition, fever was also more frequently diagnosed in higher parity (≥3 parity) sows (55.0%) in contrast to other PDSA sows (22.2%). This study has demonstrated the presence of PDS in farmed sows in RM. High frequency of altered piglet’s behavior found in this study could be an useful indicator for early detection of lactation problems in sows. Frequent pathological vaginal discharge in older sows indicates that endometritis plays an important role in the clinical manifestation of PDS. Further investigations should be conducted in order to identify specific risk factors associated with clinical PDS in farmed sows in RM

Virusne infekcije sporog toka malih preživara u Grčkoj

The slow viral infections are from the most important problems of sheep and goat production in Greece. Diseases as enzootic nasal tumor, Maedi-Visna, caprine arthritis-encephalitis, pulmonary adenomatosis and Scrapie can cause significant losses in sheep and goat flocks. They can be transmitted during grazing or with animal sales. Here are described the clinicopathological findings of the aforementioned diseases, as well as their diagnosis and control.Bирусне инфекције спорог тока су врло значајан проблем код оваца и коза у Грчкој. Обољења као што су Maedi-Visna, артритис и енцефалитис код коза (CAEV), аденоматоза и скрепи могу да узрокују значајне губитке у запатима оваца и коза. Могу да се пренесу у току испаше или продајом животиња. У овом раду je описан клиничко-патолошки налаз наведених болести, као и њихова дијагностика и контрола

Litters Health Status and Growth Parameters in the Sows Feeding Diets Supplemented with Probiotic Actisaf Sc 47® within Pregnancy Or Lactation

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementing standard diets for pregnant and lactating sows with live yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on their health status, as well as the health status and growth parameters of their litters during lactation. A total of 120 sows were divided into three groups: the first group was fed diets supplemented with probiotics during pregnancy (G+P, n=40), the second group was fed these diets during lactation (L+P, n=40), and the third group was the control group which was not fed diets supplemented with probiotics (C, n = 40). During the lactation period, a significantly (p<0.01) smaller proportion of probiotic treated sows (G+P=7.5%, L+P=12.5%) manifested clinical signs of the uterus and/or the udder disease in comparison with the control sows (22.5%). The incidence of infectious diarrhea in the nursing piglets was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the treated sows (12.5%) compared to the control sows (27.5 %). The average number of weaned piglets per litter (p/l) and average litter weight at weaning (lw) (G+P=11.6 p/l and 103.6 kg lw, L+P=11.1 p/l and 102.8 kg lw, C=10 p/l and 79 kg lw) were significantly higher (p<0.01 or p<0.05) in sows treated with probiotic compared to the control sows. These results clearly show that the use of probiotic significantly improves the health status of sows and nursing piglets, as well as the piglets growth parameters

Prevalence of claw disorders in dairy farms with tie stalls

In intensive rearing conditions, dairy cows are exposed to many factors that can cause health disorders and significant economic loses. Today, claw diseases are the main problem in high-milk cow's herd, along with metabolic diseases, mastitis and reproduction disorders. Claw diseases can have direct effects on reproductive parameters. The aim of our research was to determine the frequency of certain diseases of the locomotor apparatus of dairy cows on farms with tie stall system. In the period of two years, a total of 37,893 cows were examined, wherein the following has been found: Laminitis in 34,217 cows (90.30%), Dermatitis interdigitalis in 25,876 cows (68.29%), Dermatitis digitalis in 11,817 cows (31.18%), Rusterholz ulcer in 8,272 cows (21.83%), Fibroma in 3063 cows (8.08%), and Panaritium in 618 cows (1.63%). The results show that laminitis dominate in the herds. Considering the etiology of diseases determined at the farms it is primarily to focus on preventing the formation of metabolic disorders and adequate nutrition of the animals, and then on the improvement of housing conditions and the regular implementation of measures to prevent the spread of infectious claw diseases

Locomotor system of pigs as a health problem in sows and boars

The problems with the musculoskeletal system in all categories of pigs are common at industrial swine farms representing one of the major issues leading to exclusion of sows and boars from the production process. Topographic-anatomic relationships of bone and joint system of pigs make the diagnosis diffi cult in cases of illness affecting the upper parts of the limbs, pelvis and spine. In most cases, the presenting clinical sign is lameness, the cause of which can be determined only by a careful clinical examination. Lameness is a multifactorial problem that includes nutrition, poor horn quality, trauma, infection scale of housing and walking surface. At two industrial swine farms, presence of disease of locomotor systems was monitored in sows and boars. Occurrence of mechanical lesions in distal parts of limbs that are probably incurred as a result of inadequate storage space was established. Occurrence of arthritis in large number of animals was also established. The appearance of aseptic pododermatitis was also represented. Disorders of the locomotion system in the boars imported from the European Union were also followed at the farm. Of the 40 imported boars, annually between 6 and 7 boars develop acropodial problems. Over a year 3-4 boars are excluded from the reproduction due to the above problems. In most of boars problems occur after the fi rst jump as result of weak cartilage ossifi cation of the femoral bone, as a condition resulting from disturbed calcium, phosphorous and vitamin D ratio. Locomotion system diseases in sows and boars cause economic losses at pig farms.Proceeding

Improving emerging European NMIs’ capabilities in humidity measurement

The control and measurement of humidity is important for many industrial applications and to ensure the appropriate storage of materials and products. Humidity measurement techniques are diverse and each presents different challenges for use and calibration for a range of pressures and gases. Over the past few years, the development of humidity sensors and apparatus has matured to a level where traceable calibration is beneficial to all industries in which humidity and moisture measurement and control are important. This paper deals with a European project in which the overall objective is to develop or extend the measurement and research capabilities of the participating emerging NMI/DIs’ countries in the field of humidity measurements, where access to these types of facilities is currently limited

Environmental influence of chemical contaminants on farm animals and rodents (review research)

The presence of chemical environmental pollutants (heavy metals) and their influence on health status of farm animals has been study in long period. We monitored the influence of chemical pollutants on rodents leaving on farms. Heavy metals has special danger for leaving systems, which react with organic molecules to change their structures and function. Heavy metals enter the body through respiratory system, digestive system and skin. The results of our many years of research indicate that there is danger of contamination of animal feed with heavy metals and their position in their body of animals, as well as a negative effect on the reproductive capacity of domestic animals. Heavy metal toxicity general leads to the formation of free radicals, inhibiting the activity of antioxidant defense enzymes as well as glutathione oxidation and the formation malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of oxidative stress. Their toxicity stems from the tendency to form covalent bonds with sulfhydryl groups of biomacromolecules or displace certain cofactors, there by inhibiting the activity of certain enzymes. Our recommendation for industrial type farms is to reduce the risk of heavy metals. To introduce multilevel monitoring of the quality of raw materials and final products, as well as to apply adequate protectors against the toxic effect of these agents

Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on health and performance of dairy cows during transition and early lactation period

Data concerning the effect of probiotics supplementation on many parameters concurrently at the same cows are lacking. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae feeding on rumen, blood and milk parameters together in high- producing dairy cattle during the transition and early lactation period. Sixteen clinically healthy Holstein cows were divided into 2 groups: a control group of 6 cows and a probiotics-fed group of 10 cows. Rumen fluid and blood samples were collected 21 days before the expected calving as well as 7, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days- in-milk (DIM). Milk yield for each animal was recorded every 2 weeks. Individual milk samples were collected 15, 30, 45 and 60 DIM. Ruminal pH and rumen ammonia nitrogen were significantly lower, whereas total volatile fatty acids were significantly higher in yeast-fed animals compared with controls throughout the study. Serum concentrations of total proteins and globulins were higher, while albumins were lower in the yeast-treated group. Serum glucose levels were significantly higher in yeast-supplemented animals. Serum triglycerides, high density lipoproteins, and low density lipoproteins concentrations were lower, with cholesterol being significantly lower in the treated group. Milk production and milk fat percentage were higher, whereas milk protein percentage and somatic cell count were decreased in yeast-supplemented cows throughout the study. These results suggest that supplementation of S. cerevisiae to dairy cows rations during transition and early lactation period improve their health and milk production parameters