Chapter Twenty-Five Swine

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Swine  Sus scrofa  Used for cardiovascular studies, exercise physiology, nutrition, surgery, atherosclerosis, diabetes, & transplantation  2 types used in research: domestic & mini  Yorkshire & Duroc breeds commonly used domestic swine  Miniature swine - Sinclair, Hanford, Pitman- Moore & Yucatan strains for chronic studies & studies that relate to adult metabolism or physiology

(Image) Swine

Handling & Restraint  V-trough & snare  V-trough requires more than 2 attendants to perform a manipulation by turning animal upside down in a V-shaped trough.  Snare = a rope or metal noose around snout inducing pig to back up into a corner.  If utilized improperly, it can cause bleeding of gums & damage to teeth.  Developed for quick restraint & used 1 or 2x on same animal.  Causes struggling and vocalization.  V-trough & snare not for frequently handled swine.

(Images) Swine Restraint

Handling & Restraint II  Panepinto sling holds animal in a fleece-lined hammock.  comfortable restraint & immobilizes for handling by 1  Venipuncture, oral dosing, eye examinations, hoof trimming & veterinary care can all be accomplished without use of tranquilizers.  Terris confinement stand - expanded metal panels that form a small pen-like enclosure w/out total immobilization  door attached to each end for entry & exit following socialization & training

Physiological Data  Body temperature: 38.3°-39.9°C (101°-103.8°F)  Heart rate: / min.  Respiratory rate: 8-18 / min.  Weight: adult kg, depending on breed; newborn kg  Water consumption: 1-4% of body weight / day  Food consumption: 1-4% of body weight / day, depending on breed  Life span: 6-9 years

Sexing & Breeding  Boars identified by testes & penis, sows by vulva.  Noncastrated male pigs occasionally display aggressive behavior.  Sow breeding season extends over whole year.  Estrus recognized by vaginal mucous discharge + swollen, congested, moist external genitalia & mounting behavior.  Gilts may be bred to farrow at age 12 to 14 mo.  > feed allowance days before breeding can increase ovulation rate and litter size.  Pregnancy if no estrus 21 days after mating.

Sexing & Breeding II  Pen floor space of 2.1 x 2.4 meters for standard breeds & 1.2 x 1.5 meters for miniature swine  Guardrails cm above bedding & 15 to 20 cm from wall of pen  prevent sow from smothering babies  Newborns susceptible to chilling - place extra heat source over pen to prevent hypothermia.  Sexual maturity: 7-9 months  Estrous cycle: days  Gestation: days  Litter size: 8-15  Weaning: 4-6 weeks of age

(Images) Swine Litters

Behavior  Amenable to handling & close human contact  Basketballs, bowling balls & other toys for occupying pigs, especially if housed by itself  Highly intelligent, prefer a clean environment  If room, defecate in 1 corner & sleep in another.  Excited at feeding time & squeal or grunt until fed.  May be necessary to separate aggressive individuals.  Once dominance of 1 animal established, subsequent encounters consist of grunts or threatening postures.

(Image) Swine Behavior

Husbandry  Portable shelters or open-front sheds, placed on concrete, provide dry, draft-free bedding area.  Chain-link or panel type fencing  Provide access to cool place.  House on bedding or concrete.  Water under high pressure for flushing pen  Indoor facilities meet needs such as breeding, farrowing, young pigs & environmental control.  Concrete, elevated, slatted or wire mesh floors  Animals housed on concrete need their feet trimmed periodically.  Mark with an ear tag or ear tattooing.

(Image) Swine Pens

Diet  Omnivorous  Eat more when they compete for available food.  Provide water ad libitum, by automatic watering valves or bowl watering units.  Use heavy, weighted watering pans. Swine tend to root & dump over lightweight pans or troughs.  Feed less than 2% of body weight daily.  Miniature swine fed as little as 1%.  Obesity in pigs is extremely difficult to correct.  Pigs maintained outdoors increase food quantities slightly; exercise more outdoors, resulting in an increased metabolic rate.

Additional Reading Anderson, R.S. and A.T.B. Edney. Practical Animal Handling. Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK Panepinto, L.M. and R.L. Kroc. “History, Genetic Origins and Care of Yucatan Miniature Swine and Micro Pigs.” Lab Animal 24 (6) Panepinto, L.M. and M.M. Swindle, (eds.) “Swine in Biomedical Research.” Laboratory Animal Science, 36(4), Stanton, H.C. and H.J. Mersmann, (eds.) Swine In Cardiovascular Research. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL Swindle, M.M. Swine as Models in Biomedical Research. Iowa State University Press, IA