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Related Experiment Videos

Butorphanol tartrate acts to decrease sow activity, which could lead to reduced pig crushing.

M F Haussmann1, D C Lay, H S Buchanan

  • 1Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, USA.

Journal of Animal Science
|August 26, 1999
PubMed
Summary
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Postpartum analgesic administration in sows showed a trend toward fewer position changes, potentially reducing pig crushing. Further research into optimal dosage could improve sow comfort and decrease pig mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Animal Science
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Animal Husbandry

Background:

  • Sow discomfort and frequent position changes postpartum can lead to piglet crushing, a significant cause of mortality.
  • Lean-type sows in modern farrowing crates may experience discomfort due to hard flooring and pressure sores, increasing the risk of crushing pigs.
  • Pain and discomfort in sows post-farrowing can result in increased sow movement, elevating the risk of crushing piglets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of an analgesic, butorphanol tartrate, in improving sow restfulness immediately after farrowing.
  • To determine if analgesic administration reduces sow position changes, thereby potentially decreasing piglet mortality due to crushing.
  • To assess the impact of butorphanol tartrate on sow comfort and behavior during the critical early postpartum period.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Methods:

  • Sixteen production sows were divided into a control group (no treatment) and an experimental group receiving intramuscular butorphanol tartrate (.15 mg/kg BW every 6 h for 3 days postpartum).
  • Time-lapse photography was used to record sow position changes (lying, sitting, standing) over a 72-hour period postpartum.
  • Data on position changes were analyzed in 12-hour intervals using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test to compare treatment groups.

Main Results:

  • Butorphanol-treated sows exhibited a trend towards fewer position changes compared to control sows during the 72-hour study period (P = .10).
  • A statistically significant reduction in position changes was observed in butorphanol-treated sows between 48 and 72 hours postpartum (P < .06).
  • No significant differences in position changes were found between 0-48 hours postpartum, nor were there differences in piglet crushing rates between the control and treatment groups.

Conclusions:

  • Butorphanol tartrate administration showed a trend towards reducing sow position changes in the later postpartum period, suggesting potential for improved comfort.
  • The intermediate dosage used may not have been sufficient to elicit a more pronounced effect; higher doses could be more effective.
  • Further investigation into analgesic protocols, alternative flooring, or increasing sow body fat could help reduce pig mortality by allowing sows to lie more restfully.