2/29/2024 0 Comments Marta gromova nudeIf this occurs, measures should be taken to separate the fighting pigs. Pigs are also at risk of injury from fighting with each other. Care should be taken to minimize exposure to other animals that pose a health risk. In addition, birds have been known to peck holes in the backs of pigs on pasture. With access to pasture, transitional swine are also at risk to predation from other animals, such as foxes, coyotes, raptors and dogs. Poorly maintained housing, fencing, and equipment, such as fences, feeders and waterers, can cause penetrating or cutting wounds. If photosensitization becomes a concern, consult a veterinarian for a more complete list of potential photodynamic agents.Ĭare should be taken to minimize or eliminate risks of injury. Control this condition by preventing exposure to photodynamic agents or by grazing only at night. As the condition progresses, strips of skin, and sometimes the ears and tail, may start to slough, or fall off. The affected skin will become thickened, and the pig will be itchy. Pigs suffering from photosensitization will initially appear as severely sunburnt. Some pharmaceuticals, such as tetracyclines and sulfonamides, can act as photodynamic agents. Photodynamic agents are present in some plants, such as St. This condition occurs when pigs are exposed to photodynamic agents which intensify the effects of the sunlight. Photosensitization may also be seen in pigs housed outdoors. Access to wallows, or shallow mud pits, provides cooling as well as protection from the sun. Shelter structures should be open-ended to allow for appropriate air flow. To protect pigs from the heat and sun, adequate shade should be provided. Covering the affected skin with a bland oil, such as mineral oil, and moving sunburnt pigs indoors can provide relief. Sunburn in pigs is often very painful and can make pigs reluctant to move. Pigs housed outdoors, regardless of skin color, are at risk of sunburn. As the body temperature rises, heat stress may lead to embryonic and fetal mortality, abortions, infertility, and even sudden death. Pigs experiencing heat stress will often be inactive and can have reduced feed intake. Hot months also pose a threat to swine health. Absorbent bedding, such as straw or wood shavings, should be placed in the shelter to offer additional insulation from adverse temperatures. To prevent unfavorable effects from cold weather, shelter that provides protection from wind, rain, and snow should be provided. This can lead to increased susceptibility to disease and even death. When the pig becomes cold, its body systems, including the immune system, have the potential to become compromised. Younger pigs are most at risk of chilling or hypothermia because they have a higher and narrower range of thermal comfort than adult pigs (e.g., see thermal comfort ranges for young versus adult pigs at ). To promote swine health and welfare, become acquainted with a swine veterinarian when you first purchase pigs, and employ a veterinarian in the diagnosis and treatment of ill pigs and in the development of disease control and prevention programs.ĭuring cold months, production will often decline as the body requires more of the energy consumed to maintain an appropriate body temperature. Further reading and conversations with your herd veterinarian are encouraged for more complete coverage of the topic. This guide will provide information on some of the more notable diseases and conditions of greater risk to transitional swine. Pigs raised in a traditional extensive manner, or what has been termed “transitional swine,” have higher risks for exposure to certain diseases and conditions in comparison to pigs raised in confinement. Regardless of how pigs are raised, they are inherently at risk for health concerns, including several diseases and conditions. By: Josh Schaeffer, University of Missouri
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |