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Published on: August 21, 2021
Carcass condemnation causes of growth retarded pigs at slaughter
Jorge Martínez1, Pedro J Jaro, Gorka Aduriz
1Departamento de Atención Sanitaria, Salud Pública y Sanidad Animal (Histología y Anatomía Patológica), Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales y de la Salud, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Edificio Seminario s/n, 46113 Moncada (Valencia), Spain.
Abstract:
Condemnation causes of growth retarded pigs were studied in a Spanish abattoir. A total of 513 carcasses out of 6017 (8.5%) were rejected during inspection. The main reasons for condemnation were abscesses, cachexia, catarrhal bronchopneumonia, vertebral osteomyelitis, arthritis, pleuritis, peritonitis and pleuropneumonia. Positive relationships were found between tail lesions and arthritis (OR=5.23) or vertebral osteomyelitis (OR=24.81), while no relationships were found between tail lesions and abscesses. Lower risks were observed among carcasses condemned for cachexia, and were as follows: abscesses (OR=0.18), arthritis (OR=0.32), vertebral osteomyelitis (OR=0.06). Arcanobacterium pyogenes, either alone or in combination with other agents, was the main bacterial species isolated from abscesses, osteomyelitis and arthritis (73.5% of lesions). Direct economical losses associated with condemnation were calculated to be 30,000 Euro.

