Non-ambulatory pigs in two Brazilian growing-finishing farms: a clinic, etiological and pathological perspective on 76 cases.

BACKGROUND: Non-ambulatory pigs, colloquially known as downers or downed pigs, are animals presented with limited to no mobility, usually as a result of pre-existing neurologic or musculoskeletal conditions. Impaired ambulation is a major cause of euthanasia in pigs, leading to economic losses and animal welfare concerns. Additionally, reaching the underlying diagnosis of impaired ambulation in pigs is commonly a challenging task for swine practitioners. The aim of this necropsy-based study was to report the clinical, etiological, and pathological findings of 76 non-ambulatory grower-finisher pigs, and to correlate tail-biting lesions with the causes of death/reason for euthanasia in non-ambulatory pigs. Necropsies of downed pigs were performed during on-site visits to two pig farms in southern Brazil. RESULTS: The diagnosis of the conditions was based on the clinical, macroscopic, histopathological, bacteriological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings. The diseases diagnosed in non-ambulatory pigs in this study were suppurative arthritis (29/76), suppurative spondylitis (10/76), PVC-2 associated diseases (8/76), bone fracture (7/76), non-suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis (4/76), suppurative meningoencephalitis (6/76), fibrocartilaginous thromboembolism (3/76), epiphysiolysis (3/76), ascending bacterial myelitis (3/76), and other conditions (3/76). The frequency of suppurative arthritis, suppurative spondylitis, and ascending bacterial myelitis/meningitis was higher in pigs with tail biting lesions than controls (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Non-ambulatory pigs were observed during the entire rearing period, however, the occurrence of non-ambulatory pigs increased in animals aged ≥ 150 days. Infectious diseases were the most common cause of downed pigs, mainly associated with chronic bacterial infections. Tail biting lesions were an important predisposing factor to suppurative arthritis, suppurative spondylitis, and ascending bacterial myelitis/meningitis.

Evolution of welfare indicators of pigs housed in deep bedding systems during growing and finishing phases: assessment of good health principles and housing conditions.

The aim of the study was to monitor the evolution of welfare indicators of pigs throughout growing and finishing phases housed in a deep bedding system by principles of good health and housing. In all, 16,500 animals, distributed in 15 facilities, were evaluated over a 4-month period. Three assessments were carried out in each facility by a single evaluator, according to the following time distribution: phase one (75 to 85 days old), phase two (86 to 161 days old), and phase three (162 to 180 days old). Only the parameters related to good health and good housing were considered. Data were analyzed by logistic regression for longitudinal data. Poisson distribution was used on the coughing and sneezing data, with subsequent chi-square analysis. There were no cases of poor body condition, shivering, panting, huddling, tail biting, pumping, twisted snout, rectal prolapse, lameness, and skin conditions. The final evaluations were associated with greater chances of hernia and bursitis, with greater prevalence in males than in females. The prevalence of wound and manure on the body parameters was influenced by the interaction of the evaluation and animal category. The incidence of coughing and the number of animals presenting this symptom gradually increased, becoming considerably higher in the final stage of evaluation. Health-related problems change throughout the production cycle. The evaluation of a broad and reliable view on animal welfare allows for the most appropriate management of production systems using deep bedding.

Skin Temperature of Slaughter Pigs With Tail Lesions.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of tail lesion severity on skin temperature of slaughter pigs measured at the base of the tail and the ear by infrared thermography camera and to evaluate the association between the temperature measurements. Pigs were randomly selected in the lairage, containing ~200 pigs/pen. Tail lesions were scored according to severity, using a 0-4 scale. Tail lesion scores 0 and 1 were summed as it was difficult to distinguish healed lesions from mild lesions due to animal dirtiness. In total, 269 study pigs were imaged at the two locations. The effect of tail lesion score and sex of the pig on the highest temperature of the infrared image areas were analyzed using linear mixed models. Association between the tail base and ear base temperatures was evaluated using Pearson correlation. Skin temperature measured at the base of the tail was significantly lower for tails scored 0-1 than for all other tail lesion scores (P < 0.05). Pigs with tail lesion scored 2 had significantly lower skin temperatures at the base of the tail than pigs with tail lesion scored 3 or 4 (P < 0.05) while there was no difference in skin temperature at the base of the tail between pigs with tail lesion scored 3 and 4 (P > 0.05). Skin temperature measured at the ear base was significantly lower for pigs with tail lesion scored 0-1 than pigs of all other tail lesion scores (P < 0.05) with no difference between the other scores (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there was an association between the two measurements (r = 0.50; P < 0.001). The findings suggest that even pigs with moderate tail lesions (score 2) may have general inflammation and infection, evidenced by the elevated systemic temperature compared to pigs with none or mild tail lesion (score 0-1).

Producers' knowledge and perception about environmental enrichment and materials used in pig farms

This study investigated the knowledge and perception of Brazilian pig producers in terms of environmental enrichment (EE) for pigs, the materials used, and the forms of presentation, identifying the single conditions that can improve their application on pig farms. A questionnaire was applied to 1340 farms ­ representing 7.4% of the farms and 12% of the sows in the country. The questions included descriptions of farms and respondents, their knowledge, judgments and level of interest in the use of EE, and frequency of use of the materials. Enrichment was used in 89.1% of farms, but half of the respondents admitted to using it without knowing what was involved. The producers presented an optimistic view (92.3%) about the application of this tool and were interested in receiving more knowledge and guidance on the subject (97.8%). The materials were used mainly to avoid fights (46.3%) and to prevent tail biting (23.3%); on the other hand, the increase in production costs (39.6%) and lack of knowledge about the subject (31.3%) were the main reasons for not using enrichment; concerns about increased management on farms were sporadic (7.1%). Metal chains were the main artifacts used, followed by plastic containers and pieces of wood; the same breeding farm used up to five types of materials. The fact that the respondents stated that they knew what EE was and that they had a good perspective on its use were significant conditions for the use of some kind of enrichment on the farms. Younger farm owners were more likely to use enrichment materials than more experienced ones. The results suggested that Brazilian pig producers use EE even with limited knowledge about the subject and that there is an argument to improve the use of this animal welfare strategy.(AU)

Needs and challenges of using enrichment materials in the pig industry / Necessidade e desafios do uso de materiais de enriquecimento ambiental na suinocultura industrial

Pigs have certain needs that, when unfulfilled, can affect their behavior and their productive efficiency thus promoting welfare problems. Exploration and the search for food are inherent behaviors in pigs at all stages of production, and nest preparation is an exclusive antepartum need for females. In intensive rearing units, providing environmental enrichment materials is a way to meet these needs that allows the animals to fully express their behavior and avoid problems such as tail biting, stereotypes and, specifically in the case of breeding arrays, the onset of labor due to stress, which can result in impaired births and piglets. Straw is known as an enrichment material that best meets these demands, and it is an important requirement of animal welfare legislation in several countries. This study was developed to highlight the importance of meeting the biological needs of pigs through the provision of environmental enrichment materials and to demonstrate the positive results that these materials have on pig welfare. The challenges to the viability of the regular use of these resources in industrial pig farming are also addressed.(AU)

Os suínos possuem necessidades natas que quando não atendidas afetam seu comportamento e sua eficiência produtiva, promovendo o surgimento de problemas de bem-estar. A exploração e a busca por alimento é um comportamento inerente dos suínos em todas as fases de produção, e a preparação do ninho é uma necessidade exclusiva da fêmea durante o pré-parto. Nas unidades de criação intensiva o fornecimento de materiais de enriquecimento ambiental é uma forma de atender estas necessidades, permitindo que os animais expressem plenamente seu comportamento, evitando problemas como caudofagia, estereotipias e, especificamente no caso das matrizes, o início do parto sob estresse, resultando no comprometimento do parto e dos leitões. A palha é reconhecidamente o material de enriquecimento com as características que melhor atende estas demandas, constituindo um item primordial descrito nas legislações de bem-estar animal de vários países. Assim, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de destacar a importância em atender as demandas biológicas dos suínos por materiais de enriquecimento ambiental; demonstrar os resultados positivos que estes materiais exercem no bem-estar dos suínos, ao mesmo tempo em que são abordados os desafios para a viabilização do uso regular destes recursos na suinocultura industrial.(AU)

Needs and challenges of using enrichment materials in the pig industry / Necessidade e desafios do uso de materiais de enriquecimento ambiental na suinocultura industrial

Pigs have certain needs that, when unfulfilled, can affect their behavior and their productive efficiency thus promoting welfare problems. Exploration and the search for food are inherent behaviors in pigs at all stages of production, and nest preparation is an exclusive antepartum need for females. In intensive rearing units, providing environmental enrichment materials is a way to meet these needs that allows the animals to fully express their behavior and avoid problems such as tail biting, stereotypes and, specifically in the case of breeding arrays, the onset of labor due to stress, which can result in impaired births and piglets. Straw is known as an enrichment material that best meets these demands, and it is an important requirement of animal welfare legislation in several countries. This study was developed to highlight the importance of meeting the biological needs of pigs through the provision of environmental enrichment materials and to demonstrate the positive results that these materials have on pig welfare. The challenges to the viability of the regular use of these resources in industrial pig farming are also addressed.

Os suínos possuem necessidades natas que quando não atendidas afetam seu comportamento e sua eficiência produtiva, promovendo o surgimento de problemas de bem-estar. A exploração e a busca por alimento é um comportamento inerente dos suínos em todas as fases de produção, e a preparação do ninho é uma necessidade exclusiva da fêmea durante o pré-parto. Nas unidades de criação intensiva o fornecimento de materiais de enriquecimento ambiental é uma forma de atender estas necessidades, permitindo que os animais expressem plenamente seu comportamento, evitando problemas como caudofagia, estereotipias e, especificamente no caso das matrizes, o início do parto sob estresse, resultando no comprometimento do parto e dos leitões. A palha é reconhecidamente o material de enriquecimento com as características que melhor atende estas demandas, constituindo um item primordial descrito nas legislações de bem-estar animal de vários países. Assim, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de destacar a importância em atender as demandas biológicas dos suínos por materiais de enriquecimento ambiental; demonstrar os resultados positivos que estes materiais exercem no bem-estar dos suínos, ao mesmo tempo em que são abordados os desafios para a viabilização do uso regular destes recursos na suinocultura industrial.

Needs and challenges of using enrichment materials in the pig industry / Necessidade e desafios do uso de materiais de enriquecimento ambiental na suinocultura industrial

Pigs have certain needs that, when unfulfilled, can affect their behavior and their productive efficiency thus promoting welfare problems. Exploration and the search for food are inherent behaviors in pigs at all stages of production, and nest preparation is an exclusive antepartum need for females. In intensive rearing units, providing environmental enrichment materials is a way to meet these needs that allows the animals to fully express their behavior and avoid problems such as tail biting, stereotypes and, specifically in the case of breeding arrays, the onset of labor due to stress, which can result in impaired births and piglets. Straw is known as an enrichment material that best meets these demands, and it is an important requirement of animal welfare legislation in several countries. This study was developed to highlight the importance of meeting the biological needs of pigs through the provision of environmental enrichment materials and to demonstrate the positive results that these materials have on pig welfare. The challenges to the viability of the regular use of these resources in industrial pig farming are also addressed.

Os suínos possuem necessidades natas que quando não atendidas afetam seu comportamento e sua eficiência produtiva, promovendo o surgimento de problemas de bem-estar. A exploração e a busca por alimento é um comportamento inerente dos suínos em todas as fases de produção, e a preparação do ninho é uma necessidade exclusiva da fêmea durante o pré-parto. Nas unidades de criação intensiva o fornecimento de materiais de enriquecimento ambiental é uma forma de atender estas necessidades, permitindo que os animais expressem plenamente seu comportamento, evitando problemas como caudofagia, estereotipias e, especificamente no caso das matrizes, o início do parto sob estresse, resultando no comprometimento do parto e dos leitões. A palha é reconhecidamente o material de enriquecimento com as características que melhor atende estas demandas, constituindo um item primordial descrito nas legislações de bem-estar animal de vários países. Assim, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de destacar a importância em atender as demandas biológicas dos suínos por materiais de enriquecimento ambiental; demonstrar os resultados positivos que estes materiais exercem no bem-estar dos suínos, ao mesmo tempo em que são abordados os desafios para a viabilização do uso regular destes recursos na suinocultura industrial.

Needs and challenges of using enrichment materials in the pig industry / Necessidade e desafios do uso de materiais de enriquecimento ambiental na suinocultura industrial

Pigs have certain needs that, when unfulfilled, can affect their behavior and their productive efficiency thus promoting welfare problems. Exploration and the search for food are inherent behaviors in pigs at all stages of production, and nest preparation is an exclusive antepartum need for females. In intensive rearing units, providing environmental enrichment materials is a way to meet these needs that allows the animals to fully express their behavior and avoid problems such as tail biting, stereotypes and, specifically in the case of breeding arrays, the onset of labor due to stress, which can result in impaired births and piglets. Straw is known as an enrichment material that best meets these demands, and it is an important requirement of animal welfare legislation in several countries. This study was developed to highlight the importance of meeting the biological needs of pigs through the provision of environmental enrichment materials and to demonstrate the positive results that these materials have on pig welfare. The challenges to the viability of the regular use of these resources in industrial pig farming are also addressed.

Os suínos possuem necessidades natas que quando não atendidas afetam seu comportamento e sua eficiência produtiva, promovendo o surgimento de problemas de bem-estar. A exploração e a busca por alimento é um comportamento inerente dos suínos em todas as fases de produção, e a preparação do ninho é uma necessidade exclusiva da fêmea durante o pré-parto. Nas unidades de criação intensiva o fornecimento de materiais de enriquecimento ambiental é uma forma de atender estas necessidades, permitindo que os animais expressem plenamente seu comportamento, evitando problemas como caudofagia, estereotipias e, especificamente no caso das matrizes, o início do parto sob estresse, resultando no comprometimento do parto e dos leitões. A palha é reconhecidamente o material de enriquecimento com as características que melhor atende estas demandas, constituindo um item primordial descrito nas legislações de bem-estar animal de vários países. Assim, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de destacar a importância em atender as demandas biológicas dos suínos por materiais de enriquecimento ambiental; demonstrar os resultados positivos que estes materiais exercem no bem-estar dos suínos, ao mesmo tempo em que são abordados os desafios para a viabilização do uso regular destes recursos na suinocultura industrial.

Influence of tail biting on weight gain, lesions and condemnations at slaughter of finishing pigs / Influência do canibalismo de cauda no ganho de peso, lesões e condenações ao bate de suínos em terminação

The present study assessed the association of tail-biting lesions in finishing pigs with weight gain, occurrence of locomotion or respiratory disorders and abscesses during finishing period, and carcass condemnation at slaughter. The study was carried out on 4 different farms. For each animal with a tail biting lesion, two control pigs were selected. The total number of animals in the study was 312, with 104 of them being tail-bitten. Tail lesions were classified according to the degree of severity into four scores: score 0 -normal tail withou lesion; score 1-3 - increasing lesion severity, and score 4 - healed lesions. Overall, the occurrence of severe tail lesions (score 3) varied from 55 to 73% of tail-bitten pigs among farms. On all farms, healing of tail lesions was observed in 95% to 100% of the animals at the evaluation performed within 41-43 days after the commencement of the study. In two out of the four evaluated farms, pigs with score of 3 showed lower weight gain (P<0.05) compared with score 0 pigs. Before slaughter, the occurrence of locomotion problems and nodules/abscesses was associated (P<0.05) with the presence of tail-biting lesions. At slaughter, tail-biting lesions were associated (P<0.05) with the presence of abscesses, lung lesions (pleuritis and embolic pneumonia) or arthritis in carcasses. Carcass condemnation was associated with the presence of tail-biting lesions (P<0.05). Overall, carcass condemnation rate was 21.4%, of which animals with tail-biting lesions accounted for 66.7% of condemnations. Among the animals diagnosed with cannibalism at farm level, only two had not healed their lesions at slaughter. The fact that there were a lot of carcass condemnations, despite the fact that tail-bitten animals had no more active lesions, suggests that different situations may be observed between the field and slaughter, reinforcing the need to analyze pigs both at farm and slaughter to allow proper assessment of losses related to tail biting. Collectively, the observations of the present study show that complications associated with tail-biting found in slaughterhouses are probably underestimating field prevalence.

O presente estudo avaliou a associação das lesões de canibalismo de cauda em suínos de terminação com o ganho de peso, ocorrência de problemas locomotores ou respiratórios e abscessos durante a fase de terminação, e condenação de carcaças ao abate. O estudo foi realizado em quatro granjas comerciais de suínos. Para cada animal com lesão de canibalismo de cauda, outros dois suínos na mesma baia foram selecionados como controle, totalizando 312 animais avaliados. As lesões de cauda foram classificadas de acordo com o grau de severidade em quatro escores: score 0 - cauda normal, sem lesão; escores de 1 a 3 - de acordo com o aumento da severidade da lesão, e escore 4 - lesões cicatrizadas. No total, suínos com lesões severas (escore 3) corresponderam a 55-73% dos animais com lesão de caudofagia. Em todas as granjas, a cicatrização das lesões de cauda foi observada em 95% a 100% dos animais na avaliação realizada entre 41-43 dias após o início do estudo. Animais com escore 3 apresentaram menor ganho de peso (P<0,05) quando comparados com animais de escore 0, em duas das quatro granjas avaliadas. Antes do abate, a ocorrência de problemas locomotores e de nódulos/abscessos foi associada (P<0,05) com a presença de lesões de caudofagia. Ao abate, as lesões de canibalismo de cauda foram associadas (P<0,05) com a presença de abscessos, lesões pulmonares (pleurite e pneumonia embólica) ou artrite na carcaça. A condenação de carcaça foi associada com a presença de lesões de canibalismo de cauda (P<0,05). A taxa de condenação de carcaças foi de 21,4%, sendo que os animais com lesões de canibalismo de cauda corresponderam a 66,7% dessas condenações. Dos animais diagnosticados com canibalismo de cauda, somente dois apresentavam lesões ativas ao abate. O aumento do número de condenações no abate nos lotes estudados sugere que diferentes situações sanitárias podem ser observadas a campo e ao abate, reforçando a necessidade de analisar os animais na granja e ao abate, a fim de permitir uma avaliação precisa das perdas associadas ao canibalismo de cauda. Coletivamente, as observações do presente estudo sugerem que as complicações associadas com o canibalismo da cauda verificadas no abate provavelmente representam uma subestimativa da prevalência encontrada nas granjas.

Influence of tail biting on weight gain, lesions and condemnations at slaughter of finishing pigs / Influência do canibalismo de cauda no ganho de peso, lesões e condenações ao bate de suínos em terminação

The present study assessed the association of tail-biting lesions in finishing pigs with weight gain, occurrence of locomotion or respiratory disorders and abscesses during finishing period, and carcass condemnation at slaughter. The study was carried out on 4 different farms. For each animal with a tail biting lesion, two control pigs were selected. The total number of animals in the study was 312, with 104 of them being tail-bitten. Tail lesions were classified according to the degree of severity into four scores: score 0 -normal tail withou lesion; score 1-3 - increasing lesion severity, and score 4 - healed lesions. Overall, the occurrence of severe tail lesions (score 3) varied from 55 to 73% of tail-bitten pigs among farms. On all farms, healing of tail lesions was observed in 95% to 100% of the animals at the evaluation performed within 41-43 days after the commencement of the study. In two out of the four evaluated farms, pigs with score of 3 showed lower weight gain (P<0.05) compared with score 0 pigs. Before slaughter, the occurrence of locomotion problems and nodules/abscesses was associated (P<0.05) with the presence of tail-biting lesions. At slaughter, tail-biting lesions were associated (P<0.05) with the presence of abscesses, lung lesions (pleuritis and embolic pneumonia) or arthritis in carcasses. Carcass condemnation was associated with the presence of tail-biting lesions (P<0.05). Overall, carcass condemnation rate was 21.4%, of which animals with tail-biting lesions accounted for 66.7% of condemnations. Among the animals diagnosed with cannibalism at farm level, only two had not healed their lesions at slaughter. The fact that there were a lot of carcass condemnations, despite the fact that tail-bitten animals had no more active lesions, suggests that different situations may be observed between the field and slaughter, reinforcing the need to analyze pigs both at farm and slaughter to allow proper assessment of losses related to tail biting. Collectively, the observations of the present study show that complications associated with tail-biting found in slaughterhouses are probably underestimating field prevalence.(AU)

O presente estudo avaliou a associação das lesões de canibalismo de cauda em suínos de terminação com o ganho de peso, ocorrência de problemas locomotores ou respiratórios e abscessos durante a fase de terminação, e condenação de carcaças ao abate. O estudo foi realizado em quatro granjas comerciais de suínos. Para cada animal com lesão de canibalismo de cauda, outros dois suínos na mesma baia foram selecionados como controle, totalizando 312 animais avaliados. As lesões de cauda foram classificadas de acordo com o grau de severidade em quatro escores: score 0 - cauda normal, sem lesão; escores de 1 a 3 - de acordo com o aumento da severidade da lesão, e escore 4 - lesões cicatrizadas. No total, suínos com lesões severas (escore 3) corresponderam a 55-73% dos animais com lesão de caudofagia. Em todas as granjas, a cicatrização das lesões de cauda foi observada em 95% a 100% dos animais na avaliação realizada entre 41-43 dias após o início do estudo. Animais com escore 3 apresentaram menor ganho de peso (P<0,05) quando comparados com animais de escore 0, em duas das quatro granjas avaliadas. Antes do abate, a ocorrência de problemas locomotores e de nódulos/abscessos foi associada (P<0,05) com a presença de lesões de caudofagia. Ao abate, as lesões de canibalismo de cauda foram associadas (P<0,05) com a presença de abscessos, lesões pulmonares (pleurite e pneumonia embólica) ou artrite na carcaça. A condenação de carcaça foi associada com a presença de lesões de canibalismo de cauda (P<0,05). A taxa de condenação de carcaças foi de 21,4%, sendo que os animais com lesões de canibalismo de cauda corresponderam a 66,7% dessas condenações. Dos animais diagnosticados com canibalismo de cauda, somente dois apresentavam lesões ativas ao abate. O aumento do número de condenações no abate nos lotes estudados sugere que diferentes situações sanitárias podem ser observadas a campo e ao abate, reforçando a necessidade de analisar os animais na granja e ao abate, a fim de permitir uma avaliação precisa das perdas associadas ao canibalismo de cauda. Coletivamente, as observações do presente estudo sugerem que as complicações associadas com o canibalismo da cauda verificadas no abate provavelmente representam uma subestimativa da prevalência encontrada nas granjas.(AU)