Pathological findings in spontaneously dead and euthanized sows - a descriptive study.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Animal Health
• Swine Production

Background:

• High mortality rates in sows, due to euthanasia or spontaneous death, result in significant production losses.
• These losses suggest underlying animal welfare issues that necessitate understanding predisposing factors.
• Post-mortem examinations are essential for accurate diagnosis of sow mortality causes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the causes of spontaneous death and euthanasia in sows.
• To describe pathological findings, particularly in the locomotor system, teeth, and gums.
• To investigate sow mortality in a sample of Finnish swine herds.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive study analyzing post-mortem findings in 65 sows from 15 farms.
• Pathologic-anatomic diagnoses (PAD-1) were recorded.
• Examination focused on the locomotor system, teeth, and gums.

Main Results:

• Most sows (all but one) exhibited multiple pathological findings.
• Inflammatory conditions were the most common primary diagnoses, with arthritis and peritonitis each affecting 9% of sows.
• The locomotor system was frequently affected (85% with unrelated lesions, 29% with PAD-1 diagnoses).
• Degenerative joint disease and tooth wear each had a high prevalence of 71%.
• Clinical signs were noted within 30 days of death in all euthanized sows and half of the spontaneously deceased ones.
• Farmer's perceived cause of death aligned partly with post-mortem findings in 44% of cases.

Conclusions:

• Multiple pathologies are common in deceased sows, suggesting prolonged illness and potential delays in treatment or euthanasia.
• The high prevalence and clinical significance of disorders like degenerative joint disease and tooth wear require further investigation.
• Addressing these common pathologies could improve sow welfare and reduce mortality.