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Intestinal rupture in sows fed whey

I P McCausland, W Southgate

    Australian Veterinary Journal
    |April 1, 1980
    PubMed
    Summary

    Sudden deaths in mature sows were linked to feeding whey, causing intestinal ruptures and peritonitis. Reducing whey intake may prevent these fatal incidents in swine herds.

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    Area of Science:

    • Veterinary Pathology
    • Swine Production Medicine
    • Animal Nutrition

    Background:

    • A significant mortality event occurred in a large commercial piggery involving mature sows.
    • High mortality rates (8% over 10 months) prompted an investigation into the cause of death.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the cause of sudden deaths in mature sows within a 600-sow piggery.
    • To determine the relationship between diet and the observed mortality.

    Main Methods:

    • Observational study comparing mortality rates between sows fed whey and those fed only formulated feed pellets.
    • Necropsy findings and pathological examination of deceased sows.

    Main Results:

    • Thirty-five mature sows died over 10 months (8% mortality).
    • In the subsequent 20 months, 34 out of 38 (90%) deceased sows had been fed whey.
    • These sows presented with acute peritonitis due to intestinal rupture (large or lower small intestine).
    • No similar deaths were observed in sows, gilts, or boars fed only formulated feed pellets.

    Conclusions:

    • Whey consumption is strongly associated with fatal intestinal ruptures and peritonitis in mature sows.
    • Intestinal rupture is likely caused by overdistention from gas produced by whey fermentation.
    • The risk of rupture is directly proportional to the volume of whey ingested by the sows.

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