1. Chapter 23 and 24 Porcine Management and Surgical Procedures
Dr. Dipa Brahmbhatt VMD MPH MS

2. Objectives Piglet management Prepare the surgical patient for surgery.
Perform local anesthesia, or assist the veterinarian in administering local anesthesia.
Assist or perform induction and maintenance anesthesia.
Provide anesthetic monitoring.
Manage patient recovery and immediate postoperative care.
Discuss the basic risks and possible complications associated with anesthesia and surgery.
Implement preventive measures when indicated.

3. Reading Assignment
Chapter 23, 24: Porcine Surgery

4. PIGLET MANAGEMENT (Birth to Weaning)

5. Piglet Management Goals
Minimize pre- weaning mortality
-Mortality is normally 7-15%; Largely within first two days after birth
52.1% die from becoming crushed by the sow
16.7% die from starvation
11.5% die from “other known problem”
9.3% die from scours
7.4% from “unknown problem”
3% from respiratory problems

6. Piglet Management Goals
Maximize growth rate on the sow
-Higher weaning weights
-Better post -weaning performance
-Allows for earlier weaning
reduced vertical transfer of disease
segregated early weaning at days of age

7. Characteristics of newborns
piglets lack adequate brown
fat or sufficient glycogen
reserves to maintain
body heat for long if chilled or starved
Minimal antibody protection
1 – 2 % body fat
Limited ability to make glucose
Stored glucose gone in 24 hr
Poor body temperature regulation
Ambient temp 95 F
Wet

8. Normal vs disadvantaged pigs
Born quickly
On feet in 1 – 2 min
Sucking in ~ 15 min
(10 – 35 mins)
Disadvantaged
Born slowly (02 deprived, traumatized)
Congenital defect(s)
Slow reaching udder

9. Disadvantaged pigs 􀂄 Chilled
95 F >>> decrease by about 3 degree per week over the first 6 to 8 weeks of life.

10. Pathway to death for pigs
Chilly surroundings
Body temperature drops
Lazy
Starve
Reduced Colostrum intake
Disease
Death

11. Prevent chilling of newborns
Observe pig lying behavior to access thermal needs
Chilled Comfortable

12. Provide zone heating Heat pad Different temperature needs
90 °F (32 °C)
60 °F (15.5 °C)
Heat pad Different temperature needs

13. Ensure good colostrum intake
Give pigs colostrum
Split suckle
Remove largest pigs from litter for 2, 1-hr periods first 12 hr after farrowing
Give sow ¼- 1mL oxytocin
Prevent chilling
Chilled pigs consume less

14. Pigs Needing Colostrum

15. Crossfoster Why? Reduce weight variation within litter
Match # teats and pigs

16. Crossfoster procedure
Wait 6 – 12 hr after farrowing to move Colostrum from dam
Move before pigs are 24 hr old
Choose small, docile sows for small pigs

17. Crossfoster procedure
Base strategy on interest of smallest pigs in litter
Leave smaller, weaker pigs on dam and move larger ones
Move only a few pigs around
Extensive fostering stressful to sow/pigs
Requires labor

18. Is milk supply adequate?
Healthy, well nourished pigs run around and play
After successful nursing
Settle down and sleep
Milk often seen around mouths
Nurse ~ 1x/hr in early lactation

19. Normal lactation behavior
Increased grunting by sow Udder massage by pigs Oxytocin released Milk letdown ~ 30 seconds Pigs gradually cease nursing

20. Access pig condition Healthy, Well nourished Depressed,
poorlynourished

21. Avoid moving individual piglets around
Avoid moving individual piglets around. Identify and move fall-outs by 5-7 d of age. Otherwise leave them put.
What is a fall-out?

22. What is a fall-out? Other names Fall-backs, runts Smaller, less active
piglet
2 to 7 days of age

23. What is a fall-out?
Bony and angular
Flat belly
Loose skin
Hairy

24. Fall-outs Nursing a poor producing teat Shy, non-aggressive
pig missing feedings
Many flourish with better milk access

25. Several fall-outs
Teat access
Teat problems

26. Dealing with poor milk supply
Several pigs in litter affected
􀂄 Treat for mastitis
􀂄 Milk replacer
􀂄 Creep feed
Single pig in litter (i. e., fall-back)
􀂄 Many will flourish with more milk
􀂄 Nurse sows

27. A fall-out to move Doesn’t join littermates to nurse
Not selected a teat
Shy, timid
10 littermates

28. Key points Avoid moving individual fall-backs
Move 8 to 10 fall-backs at once to a nurse
sow
Identify and move fall-backs by 5-7 day of age
Otherwise leave them put

29. WEANING WEIGHT - Targets
8 kg if weaned at 4 weeks
6 kg if weaned at 3 weeks
> 4 kg if weaned at 17 days
If poor check:
Litter size
Birth weight
Sow condition/ feed intake / milk production
Cross fostering
Creep feeding management
Health, hygiene, environment

30. Feed Intake In Newly Weaned Piglets
On the sow piglets eat > 12 times a day:
-Frequent small meals
On the sow piglets eat together:
-Plenty of feeder space, no separation of feeder spaces
Pigs have a tremendous sense of smell:
-Clean feeders
-Frequently remove stale feed

31. References
K Holtgrew-Bohling , Large Animal Clinical Procedures for Veterinary Technicians, 2nd Edition, Mosby, 2012, ISBN:

32. References