Effect of farrowing duration, parity number and the type of anti-inflammatory drug on postparturient disorders in sows: a clinical study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of farrowing duration, parity number, and type of anti-inflammatory drug used postpartum on the incidence of postparturient disorders in sows. The duration of farrowing and postparturient disorders were examined in 64 sows at Days 0, 1, 2, and 3 after farrowing. The sows were classified according to parity number (1, 2-4, and 5-7), duration of farrowing (<2, 2-2.9, 3-3.9, and 4-8 h), and the type of anti-inflammatory drugs (flunixin méglumine and dipyrone). The farrowing duration was 178.0 ± 73.5 min (2.96 h). The percentage of sows with fever increased from 40 to 100 % when the farrowing duration increased from <2 to 4-8 h. On Day 1 of the postpartum, 93.7 % of primiparous sows had fever, while 52.6 and 47.6 % of sows parity 2-4 and 5-7 had a fever (P<0.05). The presence of vaginal discharge on Day 1 of the postpartum was higher in sows of parity 5-7 than sows of parity 2-4 (85.7 and 52.6 %, P=0.029). The use of flunixin méglumine after parturition in sows reduced the percentage of sows with a fever from 61.3 to 22.6 % within 2 days (P=0.002), while, the percentage of sows with a fever was not decreased in sows treated with dipyrone. It can be concluded that the incidence of postparturient disorders in sows was affected by sow parity, farrowing duration and the type of anti-inflammatory drug used. Sows with a farrowing duration of ≥ 4 h were at a high risk of having fever at Day 1 after parturition.

Parturition effects on reproductive health in the gilt and sow

“…The effect of parturition on the occurrence of PDS has rarely been investigated. In a recent study by Tummaruk and Sang‐Gassanee (), the percentage of sows with fever during the first 24‐hr post‐partum increased from 40 to 100% when the farrowing duration increased from <2 to 4–8 hr. This finding suggests that good farrowing management and quick piglet expulsion are important for the post‐partum health status of the sow.…”

Tools and Protocols for Managing Hyperprolific Sows at Parturition: Optimizing Piglet Survival and Sows’ Reproductive Health

“…In one study, the percentage of sows with fever during the first 24 h postpartum increased from 40 to 100%, when the farrowing duration increased from less than 2 to more than 4 h [24]. Furthermore, until the third day postpartum, the percentage of sows with reduced appetite was higher in sows with a farrowing duration of more than 4 h than in sows with less than 4 h [24]. In another study, 85.9% of sows with puerperal disease had farrowing durations of more than 6 h, whereas 78.8% of healthy sows completed parturition in less than 3 h [25].…”

“…Tools and Protocols for Managing Hyperprolific Sows at Parturition: Optimizing Piglet Survival… DOI: http://dx.doi.org /10.5772/intechopen.91337 An increasing incidence for PDS of up to 34% was recently reported [23], which is connected with the increase in litter size and farrowing duration [3]. In one study, the percentage of sows with fever during the first 24 h postpartum increased from 40 to 100%, when the farrowing duration increased from less than 2 to more than 4 h [24]. Furthermore, until the third day postpartum, the percentage of sows with reduced appetite was higher in sows with a farrowing duration of more than 4 h than in sows with less than 4 h [24].…”

“…Body temperature is the most frequently used to evaluate the health status of a sow in the puerperal period [78]. Reference values range from 39 [24] to 40°C [38]. Though body temperature is a sign of inflammation, it can also be affected by several other parameters such as the circadian rhythm [79], parity [79], variation in repeated measurements [80], and positioning of the thermometer in the rectum [81].…”

Strategic use of straw increases nest building in loose housed farrowing sows

“…It has been demonstrated that housing which provides opportunities for sows to express their nest-building behaviour will decrease the duration of farrowing (Cronin et al, 1993;Thodberg et al, 1999;Oliviero et al, 2008). Prolonged farrowing (≥4-5 h) is not desirable since it is associated with an increased probability of stillbirths (Canario et al, 2006), a higher incidence of post-parturient disorders (Tummaruk and Sang-Gassanee, 2013) and decreased fertility (Oliviero et al, 2013). Worldwide, farrowing sows are however often confined in barren pens or crates which do not allow performing of nesting behaviour.…”