[Sudden deaths in taking blood samples from fattening swine herds-- experiences from practice]

Experiences in a large-scale blood sampling was the cause for reflections about the reason of sudden deaths of pigs. The one-sided breeding of pigs in order to get a high lean meat content, the ability to grow rapidly and to put on weight causes susceptibility to exertional myopathy. In addition, in modern housing systems pigs grow up in an environment without any stimulus, which results in emotional stress, if the pigs get suddenly in a close contact to man. Therefore a routinely operation such as taking blood causes an abnormal acceleration of glycolysis and the development of lactacidosis and sometimes a circulatory insufficiency up to sudden death. The metabolic acidosis, which is of breeding origin and arises from stress, often is strengthened by pneumonia in fattening herds caused by faulty husbandry, high animal concentration, stall climate and a high risk of infection. Because of this the metabolic acidosis cannot be compensated for by respiration. The high number of sudden deaths caused by lactacidosis and cardiac shock (fattening period: 1-12%, transport to slaughter: 0.4%, and 0.45% in the own investigation into blood sample taking from fattening pigs [weight: 80-110 kg]) emphasizes the problem. The exertional myopathy is not only characterized by sudden death but also by poor meat quality due to PSE. From the point of view of animal welfare as well as from the point of view of the consumer it is desirable to change the aim of breeding, especially by reducing lean meat content as well as to improve the type of husbandry.