Do you know all about these 11 major postpartum diseases of sows?
Do you know all about these 11 major postpartum diseases of sows?
Mastitis
1. Symptoms of mastitis
01. The udder is swollen, hot, hard, and painful;
02. The milk is thin, mostly whey-like, and contains floccules;
03. When it progresses to a purulent state, yellow pus and tissue fragments may be discharged;
04. Body temperature rises, appetite decreases, and the sow prefers to lie down and is unwilling to stand;
05. Chronic mastitis can lead to udder atrophy.
2. Causes of mastitis
01. The udder is injured or bitten during lactation; teat damage occurs because piglets' canine teeth are relatively sharp, and they bite the sow's udder while competing for milk, leading to secondary bacterial infection;
02. Improper control of feeding amount before farrowing;
03. Suffering from brucellosis, tuberculosis, or endometritis;
04. The sow has a small litter size, and the udder has no piglets suckling, or individual udders are not suckled by piglets, causing udder swelling, bacterial reproduction in the mammary gland, and then mastitis;
05. Excessive milk is mainly due to feeding too much concentrate, excessive nutrition, vigorous lactation in the sow, and incomplete suckling of milk by piglets;
06. Piglets are weaned too early, and the udder is not suckled, causing udder swelling.
3、Prevention and controltechniques
01. Reduce the feeding amount before farrowing;
02. Do not feed on the day of weaning;
03. Houttuynia cordata 30 ml + cephalosporin 1 g, mixed for intramuscular injection;
04. In severe mastitis, block therapy can also be used: 0.25% procaine hydrochloride solution 50 ml + penicillin 800,000 units, streptomycin 500,000 units, mixed and injected into the space between the mammary parenchyma and the abdominal wall, once daily;
05. Infusiontreatment: 10% glucose 500 ml, kanamycin 1,000,000-1,500,000 units, dexamethasone 5-10 ml and VC 10 ml mixed for intravenous injection;
06. Keep the farrowing house clean and hygienic, and disinfect before farrowing with potassium permanganate (0.1%) or benzalkonium bromide (0.1%);
07. Block around the base of the uddertreatmentAfter 5-6 h, intramuscular injection of ampicillin 3 g and streptomycin 2 g can be given to improve the curative effect;
08. After the milk in the udder is completely squeezed out, apply hot compress and massage the udder until it becomes soft, twice daily for 2 consecutive d.
Mastitis occurs frequently, but it is easy totreat, so it must be treated promptly when it occurstreat, so as not to affect piglets' nursing and cause death.
Postpartum agalactia
It is caused by metabolic disorder due to endocrine disturbance, leading to cessation of lactation; at this time the udder is soft, reduced in volume, with no heat, swelling, or pain, and the body gradually becomes emaciated.
1. Causes of postpartum agalactia
Postpartum milk retention, milk regression due to postpartum fever, low postpartum feed intake or poor feed nutrition, feed mildew poisoning, diseases such as PRRS and eperythrozoonosis, postpartum mastitis, endometritis, endocrine disorders, etc.
Special attention should be paid to mastitis and udder edema. According to anatomical findings, sows with agalactia have edema in their mammary tissue. Udder edema is an inevitable physiological phenomenon in sows. If not attended to, it often leads to bacterial and viral infections, eventually turning into mastitis and causing agalactia. When udder edema occurs, the edema fluid in the udder should be eliminated, mammary lactation function should be regulated, and normal lactation function should be promoted; at the same time, attention should be paid to disinfection of the farrowing house.
2、Treatment
01. VB1: 10 ml, intramuscular injection, dexamethasone 5-100 mg, intramuscular injection, once daily for three consecutive days;
02. Cloprostenol 2 ml, intramuscular injection once;
03. Metoclopramide 1 mg per kg, intramuscular injection once daily for three consecutive days.
04. Lactation-promoting injection or oxytocin 20-30 units per sow by intramuscular injection, once daily for 3 consecutive days.
05. Houttuynia cordata injection 30 ml + swine transfer factor mixed for intramuscular injection, once daily for 3 consecutive days.
6. Traditional Chinese medicine therapy: Wangbuliuxing (Vaccaria seed) 40 g, pangolin scales 15 g, akebia stem 10 g, astragalus 20 g, angelica 20 g, codonopsis 20 g. ⟦49 07. Folk remedy: cooked shelled peanuts 1 jin + 6-7 eggs, once a day for 3 consecutive days.
Folk remedy: 1 jin of cooked peanuts + 6-7 eggs, once a day, for 3 consecutive days.
Postpartum agalactia should be taken very seriously, especially because piglets that cannot get colostrum are very difficult to raise.
Postpartum anorexia in sows
There are many problems of postpartum anorexia in sows on pig farms. The causes include: diseases, sows with fever such as PRRS, etc.; improper feeding or feed around farrowing; mycotoxin poisoning; postpartum fatigue and physical weakness; postpartum abdominal pain, constipation, and limb disease; deficiency of nutritional elements such as calcium and vitamins; hypothermia, etc.
The causes of postpartum anorexia are classified mainly into the following 8 aspects:
1. Feed and feeding methods for sows during pregnancy and lactation
Improper formulation and feeding methods of feed during pregnancy and lactation can cause damage to the reproductive system and embryos, affect the sow's physique, and lead to postpartum anorexia in sows.
2. Inflammation of the reproductive system
Injury to the birth canal during parturition can cause inflammation of the birth canal; retained placenta or incomplete placental expulsion can cause metritis, both of which can cause postpartum anorexia.
3. Postpartum water deficiency
During parturition, due to strenuous straining, the sow may sweat or even collapse, and urgently needs water supplementation. However, some sow raisers still follow traditional ideas and believe that sows cannot drink water after parturition, so the sow cannot replenish water in time. This is also one of the main causes of postpartum anorexia in sows.
4. Environmental and climatic factors
After farrowing, the sow is very weak. If the environment is dirty or the climate changes frequently, it can cause the sow to catch a cold or induce other diseases, leading to postpartum anorexia in sows.
5. Little exercise before farrowing
At present, sows in this county are mostly kept in pens, and exercise is even less convenient in late pregnancy. Because of little exercise before farrowing, the sow's physique declines and dystocia is more likely to occur, leading to collapse. This is another main cause of postpartum anorexia in sows.
6. The sow eats the placenta or stillborn fetuses
Some sows like to eat the placenta or stillborn fetuses after farrowing, which can cause severe indigestion in the sow and trigger postpartum anorexia.
7. Breed factors
With the development of production, sow breeds are constantly updated and gradually tend toward breed specialization. The more excellent the breed, the poorer its own resistance, and the more prone it is to postpartum anorexia.
8. Deficiency of certain trace elements and vitamins
Deficiency of trace elements and vitamins can cause metabolic disorders or metabolic disturbances in sows after farrowing, resulting in postpartum anorexia.
Symptoms of postpartum anorexia
The sow has intractable reduced eating or no eating after farrowing, is listless, has weak and cold limbs, fears cold, has normal body temperature, has relatively thin feces or ball-shaped feces, very weak bowel sounds, reduced urine, and subsequently reduced milk.
Postpartum anorexiaPrevention and control
1. Prevent udder edema in sows;
2. Avoid infection after sow farrowing;
3. Lower the sow's body temperature: drip cooling, improve the environment, reduce ammonia gas and temperature, and reduce the crude fiber content in the sow's feed (such as wheat bran) to reduce heat increment;
4. Adopt small and frequent meals and use wet feed;
5. Increase the palatability of the sow's feed.
Postpartum anorexiaTreatment
1. Metoclopramide: 1 mg, intramuscular injection;
2. Carnitine: 1.5-2 g, administered orally in two divided doses, once daily for three consecutive days;
3. Vinegar: 500 ml, yeast powder 150-200 g, administered orally once daily for three consecutive days.
Postpartum fever
It occurs more often in summer and autumn. Postpartum fever in sows mostly occurs 3-7 days after farrowing, with body temperature rising to 35-41°C. Because the sow has fever, reduced appetite, or complete loss of appetite, lactation decreases or stops, causing piglets to not get enough milk and affecting growth and development, and even causing the death of the entire litter, bringingpig farmersgreat economic losses.
1. Symptoms of postpartum fever
After farrowing, the sow's body temperature suddenly rises within a short period, the sow is depressed, has reduced appetite or complete loss of appetite, lactation decreases or there is no milk, and piglets squeal because they cannot get enough milk.
01. In sick pigs with pneumonia, body temperature rises to 40-41°C, the sow is highly depressed, has complete loss of appetite, conjunctival congestion, accelerated breathing, panting, coughing, and yellow-white viscous nasal discharge from the nostrils, with obvious inflammatory changes on lung auscultation.
02. In sick pigs with gastroenteritis, body temperature rises to 39.5-40°C, the sow is depressed, does not eat, and likes to drink cold water and sewage. Some sick pigs vomit yellow viscous stomach contents, and the feces are thin and pasty, with mucus and mucosa, and a foul odor.
03. In sick pigs with endometritis, body temperature rises to about 39.5°C, the sow is listless, and appetite decreases. The sick sow shows arching of the back, straining, and urination posture, and discharges gray-white turbid floccules or purulent matter from the vulva.
04. In sick pigs with mastitis, 1 or several mammary glands are seen to be red, swollen, and painful, the milk squeezed out is thin and contains floccules, and in purulent cases pus can be squeezed out. The sow refuses to let piglets nurse, and body temperature rises to 39.5°C.
05. There is also unexplained high fever caused by eperythrozoon or other factors: unexplained high fever each year has some characteristics, and it is best to combine laboratory diagnosis and then provide targetedtreatment。
2. Postpartum feverPrevention and control
01. For sick pigs with slightly high body temperature but still with appetite: use penicillin 4,000,000-5,000,000 international units and streptomycin 1,000,000-2,000,000 international units by intramuscular injection; or ceftiofur sodium lyophilized powder for injection by intramuscular injection, once daily.
02. For sick pigs with high body temperature and complete loss of appetite: use 5% glucose saline 500-1,000 ml, penicillin 4,000,000-5,000,000 international units, vitamin C 10 ml; or 5% glucose solution 500 ml, 10% sulfadiazine sodium 20-40 ml, 5% sodium bicarbonate 20 ml, by ear vein drip infusion, 1-2 times daily.
03. For sick pigs with pneumonia and coughing and wheezing symptoms: orally administer Qingfei Zhike powder 50-100 g, 20% tilmicosin premix 10-20 g, or kitasamycin or doxycyclinetreatment;
04. For sick pigs with gastroenteritis: orally administer 10% enrofloxacin soluble powder 20-30 g, 2-3 times daily; for severe vomiting, intramuscular injection of Emol 6-8 ml;
05. For sick pigs with endometritis: insert a suppository into the uterus (chlorhexidine acetate suppository 2 tablets per treatment, and at the same time give intramuscular injection of antibiotics;
06. For sick pigs with mastitis: Gongying powder 100 g, mixed with boiling water, administered orally or mixed into feed, once daily for 3-4 consecutive treatments.
Because postpartum fever in sows is relatively complex, clinical treatment should be based on syndrome differentiation. At the same time, feeding management should be strengthened, sows should be fed nutritionally rich and easily digestible feed, pen hygiene and disinfection should be done well, and cold protection work in the cold seasons of winter and spring should be carried out. At the same time, careful nursing of piglets should be done, and milk should be supplemented in time to reduce piglet deaths.
Postpartum fever must be treated continuouslytreatment, to avoid recurrence of the condition.
There was also a case encountered: a febrile syndrome of unknown cause with sudden onset of high fever above 40 degrees, reddened skin, dry feces, reduced urine, no eating, and a preference for drinking cold water. Thetreatmentplan shared was:
01. Compound aminopyrine, injected 10 ml at the Jiaochao acupoint, once a day for three consecutive days;
02. Penicillin 1,600,000 units, streptomycin 1,000,000 units 2 vials, fully dissolved in 20 ml normal saline and then injected intramuscularly, twice a day for three consecutive days;
03. Vinegar 3 jin, after heating add mirabilite 200 g, use a hot towel to apply to the udder, twice a day, and the swelling subsides after three days.
Pay attention to postpartum stress and to eperythrozoon, which can also cause high fever and lead to many problems in sows.
Postpartum endometritis
According to reports from some authoritative institutions and the actual situation of most pig farms, endometritis is a high-incidence disease in sows. 80% of pig farms have had this type of disease, especially multiparous sows with 3 or more parities, which more or less have inflammation. The economic losses caused are very large, and it can lead to weak piglets in sows. It should be taken very seriously, and it is not easy to eliminate and is difficult to cure.
1. Endometritis in replacement and primiparous sows
When replacement sows are in estrus, the cervix and vaginal opening open, and primiparous sows are prone to exogenous infection during the farrowing process and early postpartum period; replacement and primiparous sows may also develop endogenous infection caused by subclinical parvovirus, classical swine fever virus, pseudorabies virus, or streptococcus, etc.
2. Endometritis in multiparous sows
Sows experience reduced resistance during farrowing, dystocia, and the puerperal period. In addition, an unclean environment during farrowing, birth canal injuries during assisted delivery or failure to achieve aseptic technique, retained placenta, and postpartum lochia can all trigger endometritis in sows. Incomplete disinfection of artificial insemination equipment and failure to meet aseptic operation standards during insemination,treatmentimproper uterine flushing can also cause endometritis in sows.
Acute symptoms are very easy to detect, while chronic cases are often easily overlooked. Clinically, endometritis is initially mild,treatmentincomplete treatment leads to recurrence, and the problem extends beyond the uterine horns, gradually resulting in fewer piglets born until infertility occurs. The following are several types of endometritis symptoms:
Acute endometritis
The sow shows decreased appetite, elevated body temperature, frequent urination, arched back, straining, and discharges grayish-white secretions containing flocculent material and purulent secretions from the vulva, with more discharge when lying down.
Chronic catarrhal endometritis
The sow generally has no systemic symptoms, body temperature may be slightly elevated, appetite and milk production decrease, the estrous cycle is irregular, and sometimes estrus appears normal but repeated mating fails to achieve conception. During uterine flushing, the reflux fluid is slightly turbid, resembling rice-washing water or clear nasal discharge.
Chronic catarrhal purulent endometritis
The sow shows mild systemic reactions, gradually loses weight, has an irregular estrous cycle, and discharges gray or yellowish-brown thin pus from the vulva. Dried scabs formed from vaginal discharge are often adhered to the tail base, vulva, and hock joints.
Chronic purulent endometritis
Purulent secretions are frequently discharged from the vulva, more so when lying down. Purulent secretions adhere around the vulva and tail base, forming thin scabs after drying. During uterine flushing, the reflux fluid is turbid, resembling thin batter, sometimes yellow pus.
3. Sow endometritistreatment
Systemictreatment
When the affected pig has systemic symptoms such as elevated body temperature and decreased appetite, first administer systemictreatment. Intramuscular injection of 1 g of cefradine or ceftiofur sodium, and 1 million IU of streptomycin can be given. When systemic symptoms improve, then administer intrauterine medication. Add amoxicillin and astragalus polysaccharides or other good Chinese herbal medicines to the feed in combination withtreatment。
Uterine flushing
When the inflammatory material discharged from the vulva is relatively thick and contains flocculent material, and there is postpartum lochia, 500-1000 mL of 0.2% Baijunxiao solution can be used, repeatedly flushed with an enema device or disposable thick catheter to clear the inflammatory material retained in the uterus.
Intrauterine administration
01. Flush first, then administer medication. At the same time, intramuscularly inject 50 IU of oxytocin. After flushing the uterus for 2-3 hours, use 90 mL of 0.9% normal saline, add 10 mL of sodium bicarbonate, and dilute 2 g each of lincomycin and neomycin, then infuse into the uterus. Administer continuously for 3 days, and flush again every other day. If after thistreatmentthe condition remains uncured, the sow should be culled.
02. Direct intrauterine administration. When the inflammatory material discharged from the vulva is relatively thin and detected early, 100 mL of 0.9% normal saline, diluted with 2 g each of lincomycin and neomycin, and 40 IU of oxytocin can be directly administered into the uterus. If no improvement is seen after 3 consecutive days, flush with 1000 mL of 0.2% Baijunxiao solution.
Intractable constipation in sows
Intractable constipation in sows is a relatively difficult disease to treat in current pig production. Affected pigs show reduced appetite or refusal to eat, listlessness, unwillingness to move, sometimes lying in the pen unable to get up, and dry small fecal pellets resembling abacus beads. Sows with a long disease course have relatively weak constitution, and eventually die from severe physical exhaustion.
1、Sow constipationcauses
01. Endocrine disorders in sows causing excessive internal heat and slowed gastrointestinal motility aresow constipationdirect factors;
02. Heat stress. In midsummer, sustained high temperatures above 35°C for several days can cause heat stress reactions in sows, leading to water and salt metabolism disorders and constipation;
03. Lack of exercise. Excessive density, overcrowding, and lack of exercise can also cause constipation;
04. Insufficient drinking water. Insufficient water intake from various causes issow constipationan important predisposing factor;
05. Drug-induced constipation: In current pig farming, due to the many diseases, pig producers use irregular administration of drugs to the herd to prevent diseases. For example, sulfonamide drugs are added to sow feed to prevent toxoplasmosis, arsanilic acid and oxytetracycline are added to feed to prevent eperythrozoonosis, and tiamulin is added before and after farrowing. Some feed manufacturers, in order to achieve disease prevention when making sow feed, rather than considering the special characteristics of sows themselves, also add certain doses of antibacterial growth promoters such as chlortetracycline and zinc bacitracin to the feed. When the sow's gastrointestinal tract is under the action of antibacterial drugs for a long time, it will inevitably cause excessive absorption of water in the sow's intestines and dysbiosis, resulting in constipation.
06. Constipation caused by febrile diseases, such as classical swine fever (mostly mild type), toxoplasmosis, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (blue ear disease) infections can all causesow constipationto occur.
07. Improper feed formulation. Insufficient or excessive crude fiber content in feed, excessive content of inorganic substances such as sand and dust, or large amounts of swallowed bedding straw causing poor excretion can lead to constipation; especially lack of green feed, excessively low energy and protein levels, excessively high crude fiber, and insufficient micronutrients such as trace elements and vitamins can also cause weakness-related constipation; in addition, improper feed processing and excessively large particle size can also cause constipation.
Why does constipation still occur even when a considerable amount of crude fiber has been added to sow feed? The main reason is that sows develop mammary edema. If the problem is not addressed specifically for mammary edema, and only high-fiber raw materials (such as wheat bran) are added to sow feed, the constipation problem naturally cannot be improved. Moreover, excessive addition of wheat bran has the following disadvantages:
01. Reduces the nutrient concentration of the formula;
02. Occupies stomach space in sows, reducing the nutrients the sow ingests;
03. Wheat bran produces a high amount of heat increment, which not only wastes energy but also raises the sow's body temperature, further aggravating the sow's anorexia after farrowing.
2、Sow constipationprevention and controlcountermeasures
01. Reasonably formulate the daily ration. A reasonable feed formula can be designed according to sow feeding standards to meet nutritional needs at different stages and physiological states, provide an appropriate energy level, balance calcium and phosphorus, and pay attention to the addition of organic selenium and multiple vitamins. Farms with conditions can choose high-quality special-purpose feed. At the same time, an appropriate amount of green feed can be provided to sows, which can not only increase appetite, supplement natural vitamins, promote lactation, prevent constipation, but also save costs.
02. Ensure adequate drinking water. Lack of drinking water can cause a series of problems in sows such as decreased appetite, indigestion, constipation, metabolic disorders, and insufficient lactation. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that sows have adequate drinking water that meets hygiene quality standards.
03. Appropriate exercise. Sows can reduce exercise during the first 1-3 weeks after mating and 1-2 weeks before farrowing, keeping them quiet to prevent accidental stimulation causing abortion or premature birth. However, during mid-gestation (from 20 days after mating to 100 days of gestation), sows should have appropriate exercise and light exposure, which helps promote normal fetal development and prevent constipation and dystocia.
04. Strengthen environmental regulation and reduce cold and heat stress. Pig farms should pay attention to the application of environmental regulationtechnology. In summer, heat prevention and cooling work should be effectively done, and in winter, cold prevention and warmth measures should be earnestly implemented to provide sows with a suitable living environment. High temperature, high humidity, and cold can bring relatively large negative effects on sows and can also become predisposing factors for constipation.
05. Rational use of feed. Pig farms should use scientific medication when preventing diseases to avoid drug-induced constipation in sows. Do not arbitrarily add drugs to sow feed. Use special sow feed as much as possible, and do not use finishing pig feed to raise sows.
06. Timely use of medication. After constipation occurs, pregnant sows can be given an appropriate amount of glycerol or vegetable oil by drenching. Postpartum sows can be given an appropriate amount of sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, rhubarb, artificial salt, paraffin oil, etc.
Sow constipationrequires comprehensive measures combining feed, disease, increased drinking water, and other aspects to be effectively resolved.
Postpartum paralysis
Postpartum paralysis is a disease that commonly occurs in pig farms, also known as postpartum palsy. It is an acute hypoglycemic condition characterized by paralysis of the four limbs that suddenly occurs after farrowing in sows. It can occur regardless of breed, age, parity, or body condition. It is mostly caused by improper feeding and management, deficiency or imbalance of calcium and phosphorus in feed, insufficient exercise and light exposure, and damp pens.
1. Clinical symptoms
Postpartum paralysis in sows mostly occurs 2-5 days after farrowing. It presents as decreased appetite, dry and scanty feces initially, then gradually cessation of defecation and urination. Body temperature is normal or slightly elevated. The sow is lethargic and in a state of drowsiness. Initially, gait is unsteady, hind limbs are weak, and the sow lies on the ground for a long time unable to get up, with numb and cold limbs, and weakened or absent response to stimuli. Muscle pain and shallow breathing. Gradually emaciates and dies from exhaustion.
2. Preventive measures ⟦69 Improve feeding and management, reasonably match feed rations, and supplement mineral feed. Strengthen care before and after farrowing, and spread more clean dry straw. Keep the pen dry and well-ventilated. Add 20 g of bone meal and 20 g of salt to the feed of pregnant sows daily.
Improve feeding management, rationally balance the daily feed ration, and supplement mineral feed. Strengthen care for sows before and after farrowing, and provide plenty of clean dry straw as bedding. Keep the pen dry and well ventilated. For pregnant sows, add 20 grams of bone meal and 20 grams of salt to the feed each day.
3、treatmentmethods
Prescription 1: Supplement 20-40 g of veterinary bone meal per head per day, or 5 g of calcium lactate, or 30-35 g of calcium hydrogen phosphate. Add 20 mL of livestock and poultry cod liver oil in two divided doses daily, for 10 consecutive days.
Prescription 2: Infusiontreatment: 50-150 mL of 10% calcium gluconate, or 100-250 mL of 25%-50% glucose, single intravenous injection, 1-2 times daily, for 3 consecutive days. At the same time, rub the affected pig's limbs with rice wine or warm water, 1-2 times daily.
Prescription 3: 25 g of Eucommia bark, 30 g of Dipsacus root, 20 g of Angelica sinensis, 40 g of Cibotium barometz, 20 g of Piper kadsura stem, 20 g of Homalomena occulta, 20 g of Achyranthes bidentata, 20 g of Chaenomeles fruit, 13 g of Medicated leaven, 20 g of Perilla stem, 30 g of prepared Rehmannia. Decoct in water, add 100 mL of rice wine, and administer orally.
Prescription 4: 15 g of Achyranthes bidentata, 15 g of Angelica pubescens, 30 g of Dipsacus root, 15 g of Inula flower, 30 g of Gentiana macrophylla, 15 g of Eucommia bark, 12 g of Ligusticum chuanxiong, 12 g of red peony root, 30 g of Chaenomeles fruit, 9 g of frankincense, 15 g of myrrh, 30 g of mugwort, 30 g of Schizonepeta. Grind into powder, mix with feed and administer orally, 1 dose every 2 days, for 3 consecutive doses. If the sow is paralyzed and milk production is insufficient, add 30 g of Vaccaria seed.
Prescription 5: 270 g of bone meal, 40 g of Stephania tetrandra, 20 g of Strychnos nux-vomica. Grind into powder, mix evenly, and administer orally. For pigs under 50 kg body weight, 10-20 g per head per dose; for pigs over 50 kg, 20-35 g per head per dose, twice daily, for 7 consecutive days.
Prescription 6: 10 calcium gluconate tablets, 10 cod liver oil gel capsules, once daily, for 5-7 consecutive days. At the same time, intramuscularly inject 10 mL of procaine on one side and 20 mL of vitamin D colloidal calcium on the other side, twice daily, for 3 consecutive days.
Failure to come into estrus, failure to conceive after multiple matings
Subhealthy sows with endocrine disorders lead to many problems of failure to come into estrus and failure to conceive after multiple matings. The key to raising sows is to enable sows to come into estrus and be mated in a timely manner after farrowing, achieve multiple litters and high yield, maximize their potential reproductive capacity, and improve the economic benefits of pig farming. Some sows do not come into estrus for a long time after farrowing, which not only increases feeding costs but also causes waste of manpower, feed, and pens.
1. Causes
01. Ovarian quiescence;
02. Endocrine imbalance. When the prolactin content in the sow's body is very high, the amount of estrogen cannot rise. When the sow's milk production is very low, the body will secrete more prolactin to stimulate milk secretion, so that after weaning, estrus will be delayed or not obvious. Sows with good lactation ability, as long as nutritional supplementation is adequate, are actually more likely to come into estrus than sows with poor lactation ability;
03. Insufficient body fat. If the sow loses too much weight during lactation, the sow will fail to come into estrus after weaning. Energy intake should be increased, and feed restriction should not be applied;
04. Failure to conceive after multiple matings.
It is generally thought to be endometritis or vaginitis, but in fact there is a potential and overlooked factor - mycotoxins. Mycotoxins act similarly to estrogen, so all sows will show estrus, but when estrogen levels in the sow's body are too high, the sow cannot become pregnant, so conception never occurs.
2. Measures to take
Maintain balanced nutrition
Maintaining balanced nutrition and appropriate body condition is an important foundation for normal estrus and mating in sows. Excessive obesity in sows can easily lead to endocrine disorders and ovarian fatty infiltration, causing failure to come into estrus. For such sows, the amount of green feed should be increased, vitamin supplementation should be increased; the energy level of the daily ration should be reduced or the feeding amount decreased, and exercise should be strengthened.
Excessive thinness due to lack of nutrition or high consumption during gestation and lactation and low nutritional levels can also cause sows to fail to come into estrus. For such sows, the addition of vitamins, protein, and energy should be increased, and the feeding amount should be increased to improve the nutritional level.
Improve feeding and management, strengthen exercise
Many pig farms, whether due to limited pen space or for management convenience, group weaned sows together for herd management. Phenomena of mutual interference such as biting, mounting, and competing for trough positions are often seen. This management method increases the sow's physical energy consumption and affects estrus. In response to this situation, it is best to raise sows in individual pens.
Intermittent weaning and early weaning
During lactation, reducing the number of day and night nursings by piglets can promote estrus in sows. For piglets 2-3 weeks after birth, nurse once every 4 hours; for piglets 4 weeks old, nurse twice daily. After about 1 week, the sow can come into estrus. To enable sows to come into estrus and be mated earlier, the lactation period can be shortened. Piglets can be weaned at 4 weeks of age under good feeding conditions, or at 5 weeks of age under general conditions, and the sow can come into estrus about 1 week after weaning. When the number of piglets nursed by a sow is too small, cross-fostering can be implemented, and sows not bearing the task of nursing piglets can come into estrus earlier.
Induced estrus
Sows are most sensitive to the boar's courtship sounds, odors, nose touching, and mounting stimuli through hearing and smell. Estrus induction is based on this sexual behavior between boars and sows to promote estrus in sows. Specific methods include driving a boar to chase or mount the sow every morning and evening, or keeping sows that have not come into estrus in the boar pen for mixed raising, to promote estrus and ovulation in sows.
Udder massage
There are two types: superficial massage and deep massage. The superficial massage method is to repeatedly stroke back and forth on both sides of each row of teats. The resulting stimulation through the sympathetic nerve causes the anterior pituitary to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone, promoting estrus in sows. The deep massage method is to pinch and massage around each teat with 5 fingers (without pinching the teat). The resulting stimulation through the parasympathetic nerve causes the anterior pituitary to secrete luteinizing hormone, thereby promoting follicle ovulation. The udder massage method is: after morning feeding each day, perform superficial massage for 5 minutes and deep massage for 10 minutes; after the sow is found to be in estrus, change to superficial massage for 5 minutes and deep massage for 5 minutes.
Drug-induced estrus
1. Hormone-induced estrus: use with caution
Commonly used hormones include anterior pituitary gonadotropins, chorionic gonadotropin, pregnant mare serum gonadotropin, and triple hormone, etc. Anterior pituitary gonadotropins contain follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LTH), and have significant effects on inducing estrus and promoting ovulation in sows. Administer 1-2 days before the sow's estrous period, single intramuscular injection of 500 units, for 2 consecutive days. Chorionic gonadotropin is injected intramuscularly at 1000 units per pig.
2. Chinese herbal estrus induction
Prescription 1: 15 g of Angelica sinensis, 12 g of Ligusticum chuanxiong, 12 g of white peony root, 12 g of fennel, 12 g of Lindera root, 15 g of Cyperus rotundus, 15 g of dried tangerine peel, 100 mL of white liquor. Decoct in water, administer orally twice daily, adding 25 mL of white liquor each time.
Prescription 2: 30-50 g of Hypericum erectum, 30-50 g of Leonurus japonicus, 20-40 g of Angelica sinensis (mountain variety), 20-30 g of red Lycopus lucidus, 30-50 g of Epimedium. Decoct in water and administer orally.
NL⟧ Diseaseprevention and control
For sows that fail to come into estrus after farrowing due to endometritis or vaginitis, the following methods can be used forprevention and control：
Prescription 1: 30 mL of 25% hypertonic glucose solution, add 800,000-1,600,000 units of penicillin, infuse into the sow's uterus, and mate again half an hour later.
Prescription 2: 1 g of sodium chloride, 2 g of sodium bicarbonate, 9 g of glucose, 100 mL of distilled water (sterilize first, then add sodium bicarbonate) to prepare the medicinal solution. Use 20-30 mL of this solution, add 800,000-1,600,000 units of penicillin and 0.5 g of streptomycin, inject into the sow's uterus, and mate half an hour later for relatively significant results.
Timely culling
Situations in which sows should be culled:
01. Prolonged first estrus: 270 days; prolonged weaning-to-estrus interval: 30 days;
02. Below-average herd performance: cumulative for parities 3-5: fewer than 26 piglets; total for parities 5-7: fewer than 25 piglets;
03. Many stillbirths: when old sows of parity 6 or above have stillbirths in 2 consecutive litters;
04. Habitual return to estrus: 2 consecutive returns to estrus, total returns to estrus 3 times;
05. When the performance of aged sows is lower than that of first-parity sows, but temporarily retained when the number of farrowings is small;
06. Sows with poor limbs, sows with weak support from the boar during mating, and sows that fall seriously behind in feeding competition;
07. When a total of more than 3 weak piglets (within 1 kg) are born across 2 farrowings: survival rate is low.
Hypothermia
Clinically, hypothermia problems are common, especially in winter, with no fever and no eating.
1. Symptoms of hypothermia
01. Sows sometimes show lowered temperature after pregnancy and farrowing, often staying at 37.5°C;
02. Not eating feed, able to drink water, ears and extremities of the limbs feel cold;
03. Thin and weak, rough and messy coat, muscle trembling, pale conjunctiva, unwilling to move, preferring to lie down.
2. Causes of hypothermia
01. Mostly occurs in cold seasons: in winter, keep sows warm, provide good bedding so sows do not spend the winter on concrete floors, and prevent drafts on slatted floors;
02. Caused by poor feeding and management during pregnancy or after farrowing, incomplete nutrition, leading to nutritional imbalance in sows and imbalance of body heat;
03. Sudden weather changes, cold and other stress factors, and weak constitution are triggering causes of the disease.
3. Hypothermia Prevention and treatment
01. Intramuscular injection of 1-3 ml of 0.1% adrenaline and intramuscular injection of 2-10 ml of caffeine sodium benzoate, once daily;
02. Injection of Astragalus polysaccharide or transfer factor and interferon;
03. Oral brown sugar water, or intravenous injection of 300-500 ml of 10% glucose, plus 5 ml of 10% Vc, once daily;
04. Drinking water: electrolytic multivitamins + glucose + Astragalus polysaccharide, 7 days;
05. Raise the nutritional standard, strengthen scientific management, and remove stress factors;
06. Keep the pig house clean, hygienic, dry, warm and ventilated.
Dystocia
1. Causes of dystocia
01. The pig's umbilical cord is shorter than the sow's uterine horn, so in the latter one-third stage of labor, because the umbilical cord has already broken before being expelled, if the sow is anemic, tired, and unable to contract, and cannot expel the piglets in time, the piglets will die from suffocation within 5 minutes;
02. Heat stress;
03. Anemia or disease.
2. Methods for preventing dystocia
01. Increase the sow's nutrient intake and prevent anemia;
02. Add high-quality organic iron to the sow's feed to increase the contraction capacity of the sow's abdomen;
03. Reduce heat stress and decrease the crude fiber content in the feed;
04. Pay attention to disinfection of the farrowing house.
When dystocia occurs, correct the fetal position and carry out appropriate assisted delivery.
Retained placenta
Sows are weak after farrowing, weak postpartum, have low postpartum body temperature, and are affected by diseases such as blue ear disease, which can easily cause retained placenta. The main cause of this disease is that the connection between the placenta and the uterus has not grown to maturity and cannot detach on its own at the right time. In addition, when the sow is about to farrow, being hit by cold wind can cause blood vessel blockage, or an overly large fetus can lead to retained placenta. Clinically, some traditional Chinese medicines or uterine suppositories can be used for nutrition. Treatment. (Source: Kangdaifu official account)