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VDPAM 445Swine Topics

Part 2: Identification of sick pigs

Dr. Alex RamirezVeterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine

Iowa State University

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Identification of sick pigs

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Abnormal Postures Normal: sternal or lateral recumbency Dog sitting

– Pneumonia, pleuritis Head extended

– Respiratory distress Arched back

– Pain: lameness, polyserositis Favor limb Head tilt

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General behavior Normal: curious, avoid confrontation

– Will squeal when held or in pain– Rarely bite BUT will if hand is placed in

mouth (reflex action) Hyperkinetic: nutritional deficiencies,

genetics, CNS disease Listless/lethargic/slow

– Systemic illness– Drooping ears– Reluctant or fail to move when menaced

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Specific Pig/Human Interactions Flight distance

– 8-10 feet, remember that pigs avoid confrontation in most situations

Boars– Be careful, can be aggressive, tusks can be

dangerous, always respect, strangers Sows with pigs

– Show mildly aggressive maternal behavior Moving forward

– Pigs will often try to backup or turn around and escape

Flight Zone

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Body condition/thriftiness Normal

– Growing pigs: “Bloom”: muscle/fat cover skeleton, full belly

Unthrifty– Skeleton exposed– Hair coat often longer and more dense

(dehydration and cachexia) Off-feed

– Empty belly: 36-48 hours after quit eating

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Conformation Main emphasis is on

muscle/skeleton– Proper angulation of limbs

Humerus is parallel to ground– Uneven toe size contributes to lameness– Meat quality related characteristics:

increased muscling and decreased back fat Reproductive

– Abnormal vulva/hermaphrodites– Abnormal underline

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Physical exam

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Rectal Temperature Pigs are marginally homeothermic

– Increase with stress in little pigs– Increase with high ambient temperatures

(all ages) Normal ranges

– Suckling and nursery pigs: 101 to 103-104 F– Finishing pigs: 100 to 102-103 F– Sows: 99 to 101-102 F

Use electronic devices if possible to avoid measuring stress induced fever

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Skin/Eyes Skin

– Hair coat: length and density– Rough/excoriations: mange mites– Lice– Rub marks: poor access to underline,

feeders Eyes

– Superficial conjunctival congestion: insects– Tearing: plugged lacrimal ducts or excessive

production from irritation

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Ears/Nose/Tails Ears: Hematomas, cannibalism, necrosis Nose

– Deviation: lateral/dorsal from atrophic rhinitis

– Swellings: Bull nose, improper teeth clipping– Discharges: Blood with AR, mucus/pus with

inclusion body rhinitis Tail

– Too short (prone to prolapse), too long (promotes tail biting?)

– Cannibalism

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GI system Normal stool

– Sows and young pigs: well formed, dark gray/green color

– Older pigs: formed but softer, green to yellow

Abnormal stool– Form: Loose = diarrhea, Hard = constipation– Color: red = lower bowel hemorrhage,

black = upper bowel hemorrhage, white = malabsorption, orange-red = PPE?

– Other: odor (foul with TGE), mucus (B. hyo.) Other: prolapse, vomit (TGE)

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Respiratory System Normal: can’t discern Abnormal: Rate > 30-40 breaths per

minute– “Thumps” pronounced/abdominal/labored

pattern suggests pneumonia– Tachypnea, no labored pattern: hyperthermia– Not always pneumonia: polyserositis– Dependant on environmental temperature

Hot increased respiratory rate

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Respiratory Rate Temperature Pig Comfort

25-35 /min 65-75o F Very comfortable

36-45 /min 75-85o F Comfortable

46-60 /min 85-90o F Uncomfortable

61-90 /min 90-95o F Very uncomfortable

90 + /min 100+o F Heat Stressed

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Respiratory System Cough: suggests air way

disease/lesions– Yes: M. hyo., SIV

Productive: SIV Non-productive: M. hyo.

– No: PRRSV, PCV2, App Hemoptosis: App

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Musculoskeletal System Lameness: favor one limb, alter posture if

multiple limbs involved Foot lesions: bruises, cracks, overgrown Splay leg: usually rear legs Arthritis: most common in young pigs,

navel ill OCD signs: Splay leg in sows due to fracture

of tuber ischium, unilateral rear leg lameness due to fracture of femoral cap and joint mice in stifle (palpate crepitus)

Pain: grind teeth, squeal when moved

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Reproductive/Urinary Systems Discharges from reproductive tract

– Post-farrowing: Normal = small amount of clear fluid, no odor Abnormal = increased volume, red-brown color,

foul odor– Post-breeding: discharge usually indicates

not pregnant– Late gestation: often pregnant (from

vagina?) Urinary tract: red-brown fluid

indicates cystitis/nephritis

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CNS Most diseases cause irritative

response– Typically infections– Convulsions– Hyper extension– Rigidity– Head tilt– Circling– Extension of head in ratcheting pattern with

water deprivation

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Physical Exam Summary Pigs are not easy to examine

up close– Learn to evaluate from a distance– Many clinical signs not specific to a

certain disease Be aware of environment including

feed and water availability Need to develop a “feel” for

group health Post-mortems are often done to

reach a specific diagnosis

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Anesthesia

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Anesthetic Considerations

Young pigs (<20#): IV’s more difficult Sows for C-sections

– Ketamine (3 ml) and Acepromzaine (2 ml) to make them lay down

– Local with lidocaine

#1 #2 #3Xylazine 2.2 2.2 4.4Ketamine 8 6 2.2Telazol ------ 1.1 4.4

Dosage in mg/kg

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Intravenous Injections Ear vein is most common

– Jugular vein with non-irritating solutions and if 100% success is not critical

Procedure– Use butterfly indwelling catheter– Hold veins off by hand or with rubber band– Place needle in best vein available, will vary

by pig– Release hand or cut rubber band– Inject slowly– If irritating solution, inject saline before and

after injecting solution

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Acknowledgements

I would like to recognize others for their significant contributions to this presentation:– Dr. Brad Thacker– Dr. Locke Karriker

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Questions ?