Download Recognizing Signs of Health Issues in Breeding Animals

Recognizing Signs/Symptoms of Health Issues - Breeding
Introduction
Early and accurate recognition of sow health issues will help improve timely treatment and
recovery. Caretakers should be able to recognize disease symptoms (example: loss of appetite)
and signs (example: pus discharge) and make an appropriate “next-steps” decision at that time.
Safety
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that should be used to help ensure safety throughout the
process for Recognizing Signs/Symptoms of Health Issues - Breeding include exam gloves,
protective eyewear, safety toe boots, and a dust mask.
Wear gloves when examining sows to prevent the potential spread of infectious diseases.
Caretakers should be aware that sows may become aggressive during handling.
Preparation
To prepare for the process, be sure to have a thermometer ready.
Procedure
Observe sows daily, look for the following symptoms and signs of potential health issues:
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Inability or reluctance to rise/walk
Splaying
Holding leg up
Swollen joint(s)
Injured toes
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Feed remaining in feeder/trough
Weakness
Reduced or no drinking of water
Vomiting
Abnormal behavior (need to define or refer)
Constipation
Lameness
Not eating
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Abnormal feces (bloody/watery)
Feces smell exceptionally foul
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Cough
Nasal discharge
Increased effort to breathe
Fever
gn tae toN
saenoaWW
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Rectal: abnormal protrusion of
rectum and/or colon through rectum.
Uterine: abnormal protrusion of
vagina and/or uterus through vulva.
Bladder: abnormal protrusion of
bladder through vulva.
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Diarrhea
Respiratory disease
Prolapse
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Farrowing before 112 days of
gestation
Weak-born, dome-head piglets
Abortion/early
farrowing
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Sores on shoulders or legs
Scabs
Scratching
Rash
Discoloration
Skin problems
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Not eating
Fever
Hard, red swollen udder
Abnormal vaginal discharge more than 5
days post-farrowing
 Discharge smells exceptionally foul
 Discharge is abnormal color (brown,
yellow, cloudy)
No milk
MMA (Metritis,
Mastitis, Agalacta)
Follow treatment protocol to properly treat the animal’s condition. Take the temperature of any
animal that you suspect may be feverish. Watch your hand/arm position to help prevent a
potential injury if the animal moves.
 Place the thermometer in animal’s rectum until thermometer beeps (if using a digital
thermometer), or for 2 minutes (if using mercury-type thermometer).
 Temperature greater than 104t5.F indicates a fever.
Follow-up
Contact your supervisor and follow the operation’s herd health plan and treatment protocol if any
potential health issues are noticed. If injections are needed as a treatment, follow the steps
outlined in the Pig Injections protocol.