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Cybulski P, Woźniak A, Larska M, Jabłoński A, Stadejek T. Gastric ulcers in finishing pigs: the evaluation of selected non-dietary risk factors and impact on production performance. Porcine Health Manag 2024; 10:11. [PMID: 38409105 PMCID: PMC10898001 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-024-00362-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The complex aetiology of gastric lesions in pigs remains largely unknown and effective preventive measures and pharmaceutical treatment of the disease have not been developed yet. Regardless of the fact that the overwhelming majority of previous research works dealing with gastric ulceration in pigs focused on the role of the nutritional determinants, including chemical composition of feeds, cereal type, finely ground pelleted diets, and feed additives, conclusions presented therein remain highly ambiguous. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the disease on production performance, and investigate the influence of selected non-dietary risk factors on the prevalence of gastric alterations in finishing pigs reared under conditions of 11 modern farms located in Poland. RESULTS A total number of 26,043 finishing pigs was examined. 15,228 (58.47%) had gastric ulcers. Intact stomachs were detected in 6176 animals (23.71%). Parakeratosis and erosion were observed in 2551 (9.80%) and 2088 (8.02%), respectively. Among eight continuous variables two were found to be significantly associated with prevalence of the gastric ulcer: the growing number of animals in the herd, which was negatively correlated (P = 0.002; ρ = -0.37), and the growing average entry weight of animals transported to the finisher farm (P = 0.047; ρ = 0.24), which increased the risk of gastric ulcers prevalence. Among 12 nominal variables, problems with the quality of farm management (P = 0.041), and usage of straw as a bedding material (P = 0.002) were identified as determinants significantly associated with occurrence of the analysed health problem. CONCLUSIONS Among 20 non-nutritional variables analysed in our study only few factors were found to be associated with the prevalence of the disease. The impact of broadly understood management issues on gastric health in finishing pigs deserves further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Cybulski
- Goodvalley Agro S.A, Dworcowa 25, 77-320, Przechlewo, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Woźniak
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159C, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Larska
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Artur Jabłoński
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159C, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Stadejek
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159C, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland.
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Friman J, Verbeek E, Sannö A, Åkerfeldt MP. Inclusion of silage in diets to fattening pigs: effect on gastric ulcers and skin lesions. Animal 2024; 18:101045. [PMID: 38128173 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.101045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Limited access to high-quality feed protein for pigs has made it necessary to evaluate new protein sources that both promote sustainable pig production and meet the nutritional requirements of pigs. Providing pigs with roughage has positive effects on their behaviour and gut health. However, roughage is seldom given as a part of the pigs' diet and often has a long straw length. Knowledge is lacking on the effect of feeding silage with smaller particle size and as a part of the pigs' diet on pig behaviour and welfare. This study evaluated the influence of feeding fattening pigs silage with different particle sizes on aggressive encounters, measured as the number of skin lesions, and on the occurrence of gastric lesions and ulcers. In total, 128 Swedish Yorkshire × Hampshire pigs were fed either a commercial control feed without silage (Pellet-C), or silage mixed with commercial feed, either in a pellet (Pellet-S) or in a total mixed ration (TMR) with chopped (TMR-Ch) or intensively treated silage (TMR-Ex). Skin lesions were assessed twice in the study according to the Welfare Quality® protocol. The first assessment was performed when the pigs were 105 days old and the second assessment at 132 days of age. Gastric lesions were examined in both the pars oesophagea and the pars glandularis region of the stomach. Stomachs were collected after slaughter, and gastric lesions were scored based on established scoring criteria. There was a treatment × assessment interaction on the number of skin lesions on the ear (P = 0.049). Apart from this interaction, no other effect of treatment on the number of skin lesions could be observed between the treatments or the assessment occasions. Treatment had a clear effect on the occurrence of gastric lesions and pigs fed the fresh silage (TMR-Ch and TMR-Ex) had a lower occurrence of gastric lesions and ulcers compared to the pelleted treatments (Pellet-C and Pellet-S) (P = 0.001). This study could not show any clear reduction effect of dietary silage inclusion on skin lesions. However, feeding silage in TMR significantly reduced the occurrence of stomach ulcers.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Friman
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ulls väg 26, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - E Verbeek
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ulls väg 26, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - A Sannö
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ulls väg 26, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - M Presto Åkerfeldt
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ulls väg 26, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden
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Ghidini S, Scali F, Romeo C, Guadagno F, Maisano AM, De Luca S, Varrà MO, Conter M, Ianieri A, Zanardi E, Alborali GL. A Preliminary Study on the Relationship between Gastric Lesions and Anti-Inflammatory Drug Usage in Heavy Pigs. Vet Sci 2023; 10:551. [PMID: 37756075 PMCID: PMC10535441 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10090551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric lesions in pigs cause welfare and economic losses. Their prevalence in heavy pigs reared for premium products (e.g., Parma ham) requires further investigation. Stress, nutrition, and farm management are known risk factors, but the effects of steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of gastric lesions in Italian heavy pigs and their possible association with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. A total of 9371 pig stomachs from 76 farms were evaluated. Among these, 20.3% showed no lesions, while 30.7%, 42.1%, and 6.8% were scored 1, 2 and 3, respectively. A tendency for an inverse relationship with farm size emerged. The use of steroids and NSAIDs was estimated by calculating a treatment incidence per 1000 (TI1000) in a subset of 36 farms. At least one prescription for NSAIDs and/or steroids was found in 80.6% of the farms (55.6% used NSAIDs and 63.9% used steroids). Median TI1000 was 0.07 (range: 0-30.1) and 0.18 (range: 0-6.2) for NSAIDs and steroids, respectively. Gastric scores were positively associated with NSAID use, but not with steroid use. Although the role of these drugs in gastric lesions needs to be further clarified, these findings suggest a cautious use of non-selective NSAIDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Ghidini
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (S.G.); (S.D.L.); (M.O.V.); (A.I.); (E.Z.)
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.S.); (C.R.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.S.); (C.R.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Federica Guadagno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.S.); (C.R.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Antonio Marco Maisano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.S.); (C.R.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Silvio De Luca
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (S.G.); (S.D.L.); (M.O.V.); (A.I.); (E.Z.)
| | - Maria Olga Varrà
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (S.G.); (S.D.L.); (M.O.V.); (A.I.); (E.Z.)
| | - Mauro Conter
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Adriana Ianieri
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (S.G.); (S.D.L.); (M.O.V.); (A.I.); (E.Z.)
| | - Emanuela Zanardi
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (S.G.); (S.D.L.); (M.O.V.); (A.I.); (E.Z.)
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.S.); (C.R.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.L.A.)
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McAuley M, Buijs S, Muns R, Gordon A, Palmer M, Meek K, O’Connell N. Effect of reduced dietary protein level on finishing pigs’ harmful social behaviour before and after an abrupt dietary change. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Stockler JW, Jung SW, Kuca T, Bayne JE, Passler T. Curative balloon dilation of a severe esophageal stricture in a pig. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna W. Stockler
- Department of Clinical Sciences Auburn University Auburn Alabama USA
| | - Seung Woo Jung
- VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Fountain Valley California USA
| | - Thibaud Kuca
- Cabinet vétérinaire des 3 Sapins Vaulruz Switzerland
| | - Jenna E. Bayne
- Department of Clinical Sciences Auburn University Auburn Alabama USA
| | - Thomas Passler
- Department of Clinical Sciences Auburn University Auburn Alabama USA
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Peralvo-Vidal JM, Weber NR, Nielsen JP, Bache JK, Haugegaard S, Pedersen AØ. Feeding behavior in nursery pigs affected with gastric ulcers. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Rioja-Lang FC, Connor M, Bacon HJ, Lawrence AB, Dwyer CM. Prioritization of Farm Animal Welfare Issues Using Expert Consensus. Front Vet Sci 2020; 6:495. [PMID: 31998770 PMCID: PMC6967597 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prioritization of animal welfare issues can help identify which areas most require research funding and raise awareness of best practices. A modified Delphi method was used to obtain expert opinion on the highest priority welfare issues for UK farmed livestock. Fifty-eight UK-based experts were recruited onto the study, with a minimum of 3 years experience of working with either cattle, pigs, poultry, or small ruminants (12-16 experts per group). Experts were chosen to represent a broad range of opinions. Two rounds of surveys were conducted online using Online Survey, and the final round was an in-person workshop with 21 experts. In the first survey, experts were provided with a comprehensive list of species-specific welfare issues derived from the literature. Participants were asked to score each welfare issue, for (i) severity, (ii) duration, and (iii) prevalence on a 6-point Likert scale. The results of the first survey were reviewed and the welfare issues which scored a neutral-to-high response (scores 3-6) were carried forward. In round 2, participants were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with the rankings that were made from the results of round 1. The final stage of the process was a workshop, which consisted of a combination of group exercises and discussions, to reach the final consensus. Welfare priority lists were divided into two categories: severity/duration, and prevalence, to identify the priority welfare issues affecting individual animals and the population, respectively. Across all farmed species common concerns were inadequate or inappropriate nutrition, inability of stockpeople to recognize or treat welfare issues (such as pain or behavioral problems), lameness, chronic or endemic health issues, euthanasia and mortality and morbidity of neonates. Specific concerns related to behavioral restriction and damaging or abnormal behavior in pigs, poultry and dairy animals, inadequate housing for pigs and poultry, consequences of breeding decisions in pigs and poultry, and lack of access to veterinary care in sheep and beef. This Delphi process resulted in consensus on the most significant welfare challenges faced by UK livestock species and can help to guide future research and education priority decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona C Rioja-Lang
- Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Melanie Connor
- Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Heather J Bacon
- Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Alistair B Lawrence
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, Scotland's Rural College, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Cathy M Dwyer
- Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, United Kingdom.,Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, Scotland's Rural College, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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