Technical note: a technique for ear vein catheterization in group-housed sows.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Science
• Animal Husbandry
• Surgical Techniques

Background:

• Repeated blood sampling in group-housed sows is challenging due to a lack of established methods.
• Minimally invasive techniques are needed to reduce stress and maintain production performance in sows.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a minimally invasive ear vein catheterization technique for repeated blood collection in group-housed peripartum sows.
• To assess the impact of this technique on sow reproductive performance.

Main Methods:

• Developed a technique involving aseptic preparation, catheter insertion into the ear vein, securement, and protective housing.
• Collected blood samples every 24 hours and maintained catheter patency with heparinized saline.
• Compared reproductive performance between 18 catheterized sows and 15 control sows.

Main Results:

• Successfully catheterized 14 out of 18 sows, with 11 catheters remaining functional for at least 4 days.
• No significant differences in reproductive performance were observed between catheterized and control sows.
• The technique allowed for repeated blood sampling with minimal disruption.

Conclusions:

• The developed ear vein catheterization technique is a viable and minimally invasive method for repeated blood sampling in group-housed peripartum sows.
• This technique does not adversely affect sow reproductive performance, offering a valuable tool for research and herd health monitoring.