Although fostering is often necessary in highly prolific sow units, there are significant risks associated with the procedure:
A frequent observation: after a treatment (injection, etc.) stressed piglets may not suckle for several hours. This has negative consequences for the development of the piglets and may result in milk-congestion in the sow.
Hypogalactia is likely to result in malnutrition of suckling pigs.
The sow should lie in a recumbent position and invite piglets with specific sounds expressing the desire for milk let-down. Piglets will normally try to have facial contact with the sow’s head to stimulate milk release. To ensure optimal interaction between a sow and her piglets, it is important to avoid treating piglets during the first 10 days after birth and, thereafter, when multiple treatments are required, they should be grouped together to minimize the number of interventions.
Salmonellae are rod-shaped, gram-negative bacteria which, not only cause significant disease in pigs, but are considered to be among the most important food-borne pathogens. Globally more than 2500 types have been described for Salmonella worldwide in animals, humans and in the environment; the two most relevant in pigs are S. Choleraesuis and S. Typhimurium.
It’s one of the most devastating and economically damaging pig diseases in the world: Porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD). It can strike early or appear in a late form. And once it strikes, the consequences are never good.
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