The effect of vitamin and mineral supplements on infection of pigs with porcine transmissible gastroenteritis

The article describes studies to study the effect of vitamin and mineral supplements (VMS) on the survival of piglets with porcine transmissible gastroenteritis (TGS). The studies were carried out on animals of different age groups on the basis of pig breeding complexes with 2- and 3-phase systems of keeping, in farms disadvantaged by TGS. Studies have shown that in case of TGS, the abolition of VMS in the rearing groups can contribute to both a decrease and an increase in piglet mortality. There is a direct dependence of their death on the number of viruses in the external environment. A significant decrease in the mortality of piglets after stopping the intake of vitamins in comparison with control animals, in which VMS was not canceled, was proved. Shown is the effect of VMS on the survival rate of the livestock, depending on the system of keeping animals. With a 2-phase system of keeping, when the virus is constantly circulating in the room, the abolition of VMS provides a decrease in the mortality of piglets, and with a 3-phase systemof keeping, where the virus is periodically destroyed during the sanitization of premises before the next settlement, the abolition of VMS contributes small increase in piglet death. These data indicate a positive effect of the use of vitamins in the absence of the pathogen, and in the presence of it, the use of vitamins, on the contrary, enhances the development of the disease, which is fully consistent with studies on the reproduction of the virus in cell culture, when the addition of VMS to the growth medium stimulated the reproduction of the virus.

Identifying Suitable Supplements to Improve Piglet Survival during Farrowing and Lactation

Piglet mortality during parturition and prior to weaning is an ongoing economic and welfare issue. This review collates the current literature describing the effects of specific dietary supplements on key parameters affecting piglet survival. Four distinct parameters were identified as having a direct impact on the survival of piglets to weaning: stillbirth rate, birth weight and weight variation, daily gain and weaning weight, and colostrum and milk quality. In the primary stage, relevant literature from the past 5 years was reviewed, followed by a secondary review of literature older than 5 years. The focal parameters benefitted from different supplements. For example, stillbirth may be reduced by supplements in late gestation, including forms of arginine, alpha-tocopherol-selenium, uridine, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast culture, whereas average daily gain and weaning weight were related closely to supplements which improved colostrum and milk quality, most commonly fats and fatty acids in the form of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, soybean oil, and fish oil, and polysaccharides, such as ginseng polysaccharide. Therefore, an effective supplement plan for piglet mortality reduction must consider the circumstances of the individual system and target one or more of the highlighted parameters.

Five risk factors and their interactions of probability for a sow in breeding herds having a piglet death during days 0–1, 2–8 and 9–28 days of lactation

Background Increasing preweaning piglet mortality is a concern for veterinarians and producers in relation to sow performance and piglet welfare. Our objectives were (1) to characterize pre-weaning piglet mortality risk for sows (PWM) during early (0–1 days), mid- (2–8 days) and late (9–28 days) lactation and (2) to quantify the following five factors and their interactions, parity, number of piglets born alive (PBA), number of stillborn piglets (SB), gestation length (GL) and season for PWM during the three lactation phases. Methods Data obtained from 264,333 parity records of 55,635 sows farrowed in 2015 and 2016 from 74 Spanish herds. Three multi-level mixed-effects logistic regression models were separately applied for PWM during three lactation phases, which was analyzed as whether or not a sow had a piglet death (i.e. probability of a sow having a piglet death) in each phase. Results PWM during early, mid- and late lactation were 36.9, 27.0 and 15.4%, respectively. As PBA increased from 11 or less to 16 or more pigs, PWM during early and mid-lactation increased by 15.8 and 6.0%, respectively, but there was no increase during late lactation. Also, as GL decreased from 117–120 to 110–113 days, PWM during early, mid- and late lactation increased by 7.5, 6.8 and 1.5%, respectively. Additionally, PWM during the respective lactation phases increased by 8.3, 5.2 and 1.0%, as SB increased from 0 to 3 or more pigs. During early lactation, parity 1 sows had 2.1% lower PWM than parity 5 or higher sows, but during mid- and late lactation they had 4.2% higher PWM (P < 0.05). However, there was no difference between summer and winter for PWM during early lactation (P = 0.26). Conclusion Management practices to reduce PWM need to take account of these factors, and be modified for different phases. For example, during early lactation special care should be given to piglets born to parity 5 or higher sows farrowing 16 or more PBA, having 3 or more SB or GL 110–113 days, whereas during mid- and late lactation more care should be given to piglets born to parity 1 sows with the same PBA, GL and SB conditions.

Meloxicam and Dexamethasone Administration as Anti-Inflammatory Compounds to Sows Prior to Farrowing Does Not Improve Lactation Performance

The aim of this experiment was to determine whether administration of an anti-inflammatory compound to sows prior to farrowing would, via reduced pain and inflammation, increase piglet survival and growth. At day 114 of gestation, multiparous sows were randomly allocated to one of the following treatments: Control (n = 43), which received 10 mL saline, NSAID (n = 55) which received 0.4 mg/kg meloxicam and SAID (n = 54) which received 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone. Treatments were applied again on day 116 if farrowing had not occurred. There was no treatment effect on piglets born alive or dead from parity two to four sows but in those of parity five and older, NSAID administration reduced the number of piglets born alive and increased the number of piglets born dead (p < 0.05). Sow rectal temperature and incidence of mastitis were unaffected by treatment (p > 0.05). Lactation day two plasma concentrations of cortisol, prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite and haptoglobin did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05). Treatment effects were not observed in liveborn piglet mortality at any age, or litter weight at day 21 (p > 0.05). Average feed intake during lactation was increased by both NSAID and SAID treatments (p = 0.001). The use of meloxicam prior to farrowing should be avoided as it reduced the number of piglets born alive and did not improve piglet survival and growth.

Use of paracetamol in sows around farrowing: effect on health and condition of the sow, piglet mortality, piglet weight and piglet weight gain

Background Pain and fever in the periparturient period can lead to prolonged farrowing and can slow down the recovery of the sow, which will have an effect on the vitality and survival of the piglets. This study investigated the use of orally administered Paracetamol (Pracetam- CEVA) in sows in the periparturient period. Results Mortality did not differ in piglets during the first week, or during total lactation (P > 0.10). No difference was found in weight or weight gain of the piglets during lactation. The coefficient of variation of piglet weight was smaller in the Paracetamol (Pm) group at day 7, day 14 and at weaning, but not at birth. So, the variation within litters was smaller in the Pm- treated sows, in comparison with the Control (C) litters. No difference in mean IgG concentration was found between treatments, but the coefficient of variation was too high (> 40) in 50% of the C litters and not in Pm litters. The Pm- treated sows lost less backfat than the C- sows. No effect was found on the body temperature of the sows, but fever was rare in both groups. Conclusion Paracetamol results in less variation of body weight of piglets during lactation, seems to have a potential effect on the distribution of IgG within litters and has a positive effect on backfat loss. The effects of Paracetamol might be even more pronounced in farms with high piglet mortality (this farm only 8%) or with a high incidence of agalactia, fever after farrowing or piglet diarrhoea, which was not the case in this farm. Paracetamol is a promising product for increasing the welfare in lactating sows and optimising production in the farrowing stable.

PSII-22 The Effects of Lactobacillus Fermentum on Sow and Litter Performance

The use of probiotics may be an effective strategy in sustainable pig production. The objective of this experiment was to examine the effects of Lactobacillus fermentum LfQi6 (LF) on sow and litter performance. First parity, gestating sows (UNL Resource Population Rep x DNA Genetics Duroc; n = 28) were allotted one of two treatment groups. Treatment groups consisted of a control group (CTL) fed a standard gestation and lactation diet for the duration of the study, while the experimental group was fed CTL supplemented with 10^10 CFU LF per day from d 80 of gestation through lactation. Individual piglet body weights (BW) were recorded weekly. LF sows tended to enter the farrowing crates lighter than the control sows (209.93 vs 200.91kg; P = 0.0794). LF sows had a smaller loin eye area when compared to CTL sows (6.24 vs 5.86 cm2; P = 0.0374) when entering the farrowing crates. However, LF sows tended to lose less loin area per day when in the crate (0.025 vs 0.012 cm2/d; P = 0.078); resulting with there being no difference in loin area when the sows left the farrowing crates. Piglet BW tended to be greater at weaning for the sows fed the LF (5.37 vs 5.66 kg, P = 0.0528). The mean piglet BW were 1.25,1.33; 2.37,2.44; 4.08,4.22; and 5.37,5.66 at d 0, 7, 14, 21; respectively for CTL and LF. Sows fed the LF had fewer pigs born alive per litter (16.09 vs 14.12; P &lt; 0.05) when compared to the sows fed the control diet. However, piglet mortality tended to be decreased for LF compared to CTL (3 vs 1.76; P = 0.0645). Results suggest that supplementation with Lactobacillus fermentum LfQi6 may provide some benefits with respect to sow and litter performance.

Freedom to Grow: Improving Sow Welfare also Benefits Piglets

Piglet mortality, especially due to crushing, is a concern in pig production. While current systems use farrowing crates to reduce mortality, they present major animal welfare problems for the sow. This study investigated the effects of free lactation farrowing accommodation on the welfare of piglets born and reared in such accommodation when compared with conventional farrowing crates. Piglets were born to sows in one of two farrowing accommodation treatments and followed from birth to slaughter. Treatments were conventional farrowing crates (control, n = 24 litters) and free lactation pens, which were larger and allowed the sow freedom of movement both pre and post farrowing, (free, n = 22 litters) (675 total piglets). Individual weights were recorded from birth to slaughter. Hoof score was recorded at weaning. Behaviour was recorded during lactation and during the weaner stage. Pre-weaning percentage mortality was equal in treatments (free = 15.95 ± 2.31, control = 14.42 ± 2.15, p = 0.61). Final weight was influenced by treatment (p < 0.05) with pigs from free lactation pens significantly heavier at 114.73 kg compared to 110.82 kg for control pigs. Free pigs took fewer days than control pigs to reach the target weight of 105 kg (147.6 vs. 149.23 days). Throughout lactation, fewer instances of damaging behaviour (ear and tail biting) were observed in free pigs (p = 0.07). Improved growth rates and a decrease in damaging behaviours provide evidence to suggest that pigs from free lactation pens experience improved welfare when compared with control pigs.