Effect of feed withdrawal and transportation on Salmonella enterica infection in market-weight pigs

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine if two common pre-slaughter stressors, feed withdrawal and transportation, affect the levels of Salmonella in infected market pigs. A total of 60 market-weight pigs (220- 240 lbs.) were individually inoculated (intranasally; 105 cfu/mL) with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The experiment was replicated 3 times with 20 pigs per replicate. Individual fecal samples were collected to confirm establishment of the infection (3 samples per pig) prior to treatment assignment