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Tickborne disease contributing to lamb deaths across Scotland. Vet Rec 2024; 195:145-148. [PMID: 39150209 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.4620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
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van Staaveren N, Pessoa J, Boyle LA, Calderón Díaz JA. Description of patterns of ear and tail lesions during the grower-finisher period in a commercial pig farm. Porcine Health Manag 2024; 10:23. [PMID: 38937857 PMCID: PMC11210170 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-024-00374-w] [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: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ear and tail lesions are prevalent indicators of impaired welfare observed in pig production with different multifactorial causes. Understanding the progression of ear and tail lesions over time is important to implement preventative strategies on commercial pig farms. Therefore, this case study aimed to provide a detailed account of patterns of ear and tail lesions in pigs on a single commercial farm during the grower-finisher period. CASE PRESENTATION A total of 1,676 12-week old pigs (n = 773 females and n = 903 males, all tail docked) were followed from arrival to the grower facilities until transferred to the finisher stage on a commercial pig farm in Ireland. Pigs were individually weighed and inspected for the severity of fresh ear and tail lesions (score 0-4) on transfer to the first grower (24.9 ± 5.33 kg, 12 weeks of age, n = 1,676 pigs), second grower (33.3 ± 7.04 kg, 14 weeks of age, n = 1,641 pigs), and finisher stage (60.2 ± 7.74 kg, 18 weeks of age, n = 1,626 pigs). Due to the low number of pigs with high scores, ear lesions were classified as no (score 0), mild (score 1), moderate (score 2) and severe (score ≥ 3) and tail lesions were classified as no (score 0), mild (score 1), and moderate-to-severe (score ≥ 2). Ear lesions were more prevalent than tail lesions at each inspection. There were approx. 19% of pigs with ear lesions at all three inspections but no pigs presented with tail lesions at all three inspections. When considering the specific severity categories, we observed 32 different ear lesion score combinations and 15 different tail lesion score combinations across the three inspections. CONCLUSION The high number of observed patterns of ear and tail lesions suggest large individual variability in lesion progression. Ear lesions were more of an issue than tail lesions and little is known about this health and welfare problem indicating that further research into causes and management strategies is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke van Staaveren
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Joana Pessoa
- Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, Kemitorvet 204, Kongens Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
| | - Laura Ann Boyle
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Co. Cork, Fermoy, Ireland.
| | - Julia Adriana Calderón Díaz
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Co. Cork, Fermoy, Ireland
- PIC Europe, Sant Cugat del Valles, C/Pau Vila, 22 2o piso, Barcelona, 08174, Spain
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Boulbria G, Nicolazo T, Teixeira-Costa C, Clouard C, Lebret A, Normand V, Chevance C, Jeusselin J, Merlot É. Porcine ear necrosis is associated with social behaviours in weaned piglets. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:118. [PMID: 38521914 PMCID: PMC10960443 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03974-4] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Porcine ear necrosis (PEN) is a worldwide health issue and its aetiology is still unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and the severity of PEN in a commercial farm, associated with pig behaviour and health biomarkers measures. On two consecutive batches, PEN prevalence was determined at the pen level. PEN scores, blood haptoglobin concentration and oxidative status were measured on two pigs per pen (n = 48 pens) 9, 30 and 50 days (D) after arrival to the post-weaning unit. Social nosing, oral manipulation and aggression of pen mates and exploration of enrichment materials were observed on two to three pigs per pen twice a week from D9 to D50. RESULTS At the pen level, the higher the time spent nosing pen mates, the lower the percentage of pigs affected by PEN during both the early and the late post-weaning periods (P < 0.002) and, in the opposite, the higher the time spent orally manipulating pen mates during the late post-weaning period, the higher the percentage of affected pigs (P = 0.03). At the pig level, the higher the increase in hydroperoxides and haptoglobin during the early post-weaning period, the higher the PEN scores on D30 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that a high incidence of social nosing, which can be an indicator of good social cohesion in a group, was significantly associated with less frequent lesions of PEN. In opposite, high incidence of oral manipulation of pen mates may increase the percentage of PEN-affected pigs. According to these observations, PEN is a multifactorial condition which may have social causes among others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenaël Boulbria
- REZOOLUTION Pig Consulting Services, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France.
- PORC.SPECTIVE Swine Vet Practice, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France.
| | - Théo Nicolazo
- REZOOLUTION Pig Consulting Services, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France
- PORC.SPECTIVE Swine Vet Practice, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France
| | - Charlotte Teixeira-Costa
- REZOOLUTION Pig Consulting Services, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France
- PORC.SPECTIVE Swine Vet Practice, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France
| | - Caroline Clouard
- PEGASE, INRAE, Institut Agro, Le Clos, Saint Gilles, 35590, France
| | - Arnaud Lebret
- REZOOLUTION Pig Consulting Services, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France
- PORC.SPECTIVE Swine Vet Practice, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France
| | - Valérie Normand
- REZOOLUTION Pig Consulting Services, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France
- PORC.SPECTIVE Swine Vet Practice, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France
| | - Céline Chevance
- REZOOLUTION Pig Consulting Services, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France
- PORC.SPECTIVE Swine Vet Practice, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France
| | - Justine Jeusselin
- REZOOLUTION Pig Consulting Services, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France
- PORC.SPECTIVE Swine Vet Practice, Parc d'Activités de Gohélève, Rue Joseph et Étienne Montgolfier, Noyal-Pontivy, 56920, France
| | - Élodie Merlot
- PEGASE, INRAE, Institut Agro, Le Clos, Saint Gilles, 35590, France
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De Meyer D, Chantziaras I, Amalraj A, Maes D. Effect of Pig Synthetic Pheromones and Positive Handling of Pregnant Sows on the Productivity of Nursery Pigs. Vet Sci 2024; 11:20. [PMID: 38250926 PMCID: PMC10818425 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11010020] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Weaning is one of the most important stress events in the life of pigs, increasing the risk for health problems and reduced performance. The release of pheromones in pig stables can be considered an environmental enrichment and alleviate the negative effects of weaning stress in nursery pigs. The present study investigated the effect of synthetic pheromones on the performance of nursery pigs. The effect of positive handling of sows in the farrowing house on the performance of the offspring in the nursery was also investigated. The study was performed in a commercial pig farm and included 24 batches of weaned piglets (216 piglets per batch). Half of the batches originated from sows exposed to positive handling. This implied that music was played from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. from the moment the sows entered the farrowing house until weaning and that they were subjected to backscratching from the day they entered the farrowing unit the day of farrowing. During the nursery period, half of the batches were treated, and half served as controls. Piglets of treated groups were exposed to a synthetic analog of the maternal pig appeasing pheromone (PAP) (SecurePig®, Signs, Avignon, France). The product consisted of a gel block from which the pheromones were slowly released into the room. Different performance parameters were measured during the nursery period. Neither the sow treatment nor the treatment with pheromones significantly influenced the performance of the piglets during the nursery period (p > 0.05). The median values (95% confidence interval) of average daily gain, namely 318 (282-338) vs. 305 (272-322) g/day, feed conversion ratio, namely 1.64 (1.51-1.71) vs. 1.70 (1.57-1.75), and number of antimicrobial treatment days, namely 16.9 (9.6-25.0) vs. 17.3 (9.5-25.0) days, were numerically better in the nursery pigs exposed to the pheromones compared to the control groups. Mortality however was numerically higher in the treated groups, namely 4.4 (2.8-6.8) vs. 3.2 (0.9-4.2)%. Under the conditions of the present production system, pigs exposed to the pheromone treatment during the nursery did not show a significant performance increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri De Meyer
- Unit of Porcine Health Management, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (I.C.); (A.A.); (D.M.)
- Vedanko, Knijffelingstraat 15, 8851 Koolskamp, Belgium
| | - Ilias Chantziaras
- Unit of Porcine Health Management, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (I.C.); (A.A.); (D.M.)
- Unit of Veterinary Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Arthi Amalraj
- Unit of Porcine Health Management, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (I.C.); (A.A.); (D.M.)
- Unit of Veterinary Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Dominiek Maes
- Unit of Porcine Health Management, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (I.C.); (A.A.); (D.M.)
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Schrenk D, Bignami M, Bodin L, Chipman JK, del Mazo J, Grasl‐Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Leblanc J, Nebbia CS, Nielsen E, Ntzani E, Petersen A, Sand S, Schwerdtle T, Vleminckx C, Wallace H, Gropp J, Mulder P, Oswald IP, Woutersen R, Gómez Ruiz JÁ, Rovesti E, Hoogenboom L(R. Risks for animal health related to the presence of ergot alkaloids in feed. EFSA J 2024; 22:e8496. [PMID: 38264299 PMCID: PMC10804272 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The European Commission requested EFSA to provide an update of the 2012 Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) on the risks for animal health related to the presence of ergot alkaloids (EAs) in feed. EAs are produced by several fungi of the Claviceps and Epichloë genera. This Opinion focussed on the 14 EAs produced by C. purpurea (ergocristine, ergotamine, ergocornine, α- and β-ergocryptine, ergometrine, ergosine and their corresponding 'inine' epimers). Effects observed with EAs from C. africana (mainly dihydroergosine) and Epichloë (ergovaline/-inine) were also evaluated. There is limited information on toxicokinetics in food and non-food producing animals. However, transfer from feed to food of animal origin is negligible. The major effects of EAs are related to vasoconstriction and are exaggerated during extreme temperatures. In addition, EAs cause a decrease in prolactin, resulting in a reduced milk production. Based on the sum of the EAs, the Panel considered the following as Reference Points (RPs) in complete feed for adverse animal health effects: for pigs and piglets 0.6 mg/kg, for chickens for fattening and hens 2.1 and 3.7 mg/kg, respectively, for ducks 0.2 mg/kg, bovines 0.1 mg/kg and sheep 0.3 mg/kg. A total of 19,023 analytical results on EAs (only from C. purpurea) in feed materials and compound feeds were available for the exposure assessment (1580 samples). Dietary exposure was assessed using two feeding scenarios (model diets and compound feeds). Risk characterisation was done for the animals for which an RP could be identified. The CONTAM Panel considers that, based on exposure from model diets, the presence of EAs in feed raises a health concern in piglets, pigs for fattening, sows and bovines, while for chickens for fattening, laying hens, ducks, ovines and caprines, the health concern related to EAs in feed is low.
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Malik M, Chiers K, Theuns S, Vereecke N, Chantziaras I, Croubels S, Maes D. Porcine ear necrosis: characterization of lesions and associated pathogens. Vet Res 2023; 54:85. [PMID: 37773143 PMCID: PMC10543831 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-023-01218-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Porcine ear necrosis (PEN) is characterized by ulcerative lesions of the ear auricle. To investigate that problem, three farms with PEN in nursery pigs were included, and the study aim was to characterize PEN and the potential role of pathogens and mycotoxins. Within each farm, one batch of weaned piglets was included and the prevalence and severity of PEN were monitored for 6-7 weeks. Within each batch, 30 PEN-affected/non-affected animals were randomly selected. Blood samples were taken from these animals, to assess the systemic presence of pathogens and mycotoxins, as well as punch biopsies from the ear auricle for histopathological examination. From 10 animals, scrapings and swabs from the lesions were subjected to nanopore metagenomic sequencing and bacteriological cultivation, respectively. In all three farms, lesions appeared within 3-4 weeks post-weaning. The prevalence at the end of the nursery was 33%, 24%, and 46% for farms A, B, and C, respectively. Most affected pigs had mild to moderate lesions. Blood samples revealed low to very low levels of pathogens and mycotoxins. Different bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Fusobacterium, Mycoplasma, and Clostridium species were identified by sequencing in the scrapings. The first two pathogens were also most often identified in bacterial cultures. Mycoplasma hyopharyngis was only found in PEN-affected pigs. Histopathological changes were primarily observed in the outer layer of the epidermis. The results suggest that PEN lesions develop by damage to the outer part of the skin e.g. by ear suckling or biting, followed by multiplication of opportunistic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Malik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Koen Chiers
- Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Nick Vereecke
- Laboratory of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- PathoSense BV, Lier, Belgium
| | - Ilias Chantziaras
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Siska Croubels
- Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dominiek Maes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Barington K, Eriksen EØ, Kudirkiene E, Pankoke K, Hartmann KT, Hansen MS, Jensen HE, Blirup-Plum SA, Jørgensen BM, Nielsen JP, Olsen JE, Goecke NB, Larsen LE, Pedersen KS. Lesions and pathogens found in pigs that died during the nursery period in five Danish farms. Porcine Health Manag 2023; 9:26. [PMID: 37264473 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-023-00319-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnosing and treatment of diseases in pigs are important to maintain animal welfare, food safety and productivity. At the same time antimicrobial resistance is increasing, and therefore, antibiotic treatment should be reserved for individuals with a bacterial infection. The aim of the study was to investigate gross and histological lesions and related pathogens in pigs that died during the nursery period in five Danish farms. In addition, high throughput, real-time qPCR monitoring of specific porcine pathogens in fecal sock and oral fluid samples were carried out to investigate the between-farm and between-batch variation in the occurrence of pathogens. RESULTS Twenty-five batches of nursery pigs from five intensive, indoor herds were followed from weaning (approximately four weeks) to the end of nursery (seven to eight weeks post weaning). Gross and histological evaluation of 238 dead and 30 euthanized pigs showed the highest prevalence of lesions in the skin, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, and joints. Gross and histological diagnoses of lung and joint lesions agreed in 46.5% and 62.2% of selected pigs, respectively. Bacteriological detection of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus suis or Staphylococcus aureus infections in joints, lungs and livers was confirmed as genuine infection on immunohistochemical staining in 11 out of 70 tissue sections. The real-time qPCR analysis of pooled samples showed that most pathogens detected in feces and in oral fluid in general followed the same shedding patterns in consecutive batches within herds. CONCLUSIONS Gross assessment should be supplemented with a histopathological assessment especially when diagnosing lesions in the lungs and joints. Moreover, microbiological detection of pathogens should optimally be followed up by in situ identification to confirm causality. Furthermore, routine necropsies can reveal gastric lesions that may warrant a change in management. Real-time qPCR testing of fecal sock samples and oral fluid samples may be used to monitor the infections in the individual herd and testing one batch seems to have a good predictive value for subsequent batches within a herd. Overall, optimal diagnostic protocols will provide a more substantiated prescription of antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristiane Barington
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Esben Østergaard Eriksen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Egle Kudirkiene
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Karen Pankoke
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Katrine Top Hartmann
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Mette Sif Hansen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Henrik Elvang Jensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Sophie Amalie Blirup-Plum
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Benjamin Meyer Jørgensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Jens Peter Nielsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - John Elmerdahl Olsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Nicole Bakkegård Goecke
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Lars Erik Larsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Ken Steen Pedersen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- Ø-Vet A/S, Køberupvej 33, 4700, Næstved, Denmark
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