Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 18.1. Diseases of sows listed based on body system affected or predominant clinical signs.
Reproductive system
Locomotor/muscular-skeletal
Digestive system
leptospirosis
arthritis (various bacteria)
transmissible gastroenteritis
parvovirus
osteochondrosis
porcine epidemic diarrhea
erysipelas
osteomalacia
proliferative hemorrhagic enteropathy
pseudorabies
hoof lesions
swine dysentery
cystitis/pyelonephritis
spinal abscess
hog cholera
mastitis
swine vesicular disease
anthrax
metritis
foot and mouth disease
dystocia
teschoviruses
Sudden death
Skin
Respiratory system
proliferative hemorrhagic enteropathy
mange
PRRS
endocarditis
lice
swine influenza
porcine stress syndrome
erysipelas
pseudorabies
gastric ulceration
ringworm
pleuropneumonia
torsion of organs or intestine
abscesses
pasteurellosis
heat stroke
sunburn/frostbite
atrophic rhinitis
electrocution
shoulder sores
metastrongylosis
dystocia
wounds
ascarid migration
manure gas inhalation
vesicular diseases
hog cholera
African swine fever
overload of the circulatory system leading to acute heart failure. Sow mortality often
peaks in hot summer months. Sows in confinement rearing systems are particularly
prone to heat stress. Without the opportunity to wallow in mud their ability to cool
themselves is limited to panting, unless water sprinklers or misting is used along with air
currents to increase heat loss.
Sudden death is also caused by sudden blood loss from gastric ulcers and from shock
associated with torsion of the stomach or the intestines. Ulceration of the pars esophageal
region of the sow's stomach is a common condition, with severe blood loss occurring
only rarely. Often the lesions heal and then possibly reoccur multiple times. Scar tissue
can form causing stricture formation and narrowing of the esophageal opening into the
stomach. Clinical signs of chronic gastric ulceration include vomiting, black tarry feces,
paleness, and a loss in body condition. Sows that die from a gastro-splenic torsion or
other type of intestinal accident also appear very pale but usually they have a bloated
appearance to their abdomens. At necropsy, the twisted necrotic bowel is readily apparent.
Torsions are generally associated with agitation around the time of feeding and can be
greatly reduced by the use of automatic feeding systems that minimize the waiting and
anticipation time for the feed to arrive.
