36. Syndrome of lactation insufficiency in sows (aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, differentials, treatment, prevention)

What is the anatomy of the sow mammary gland?

Composed of two complete gland systems with two teat orifices per teat, and if there are three orifices, one ends blindly

What is the optimum number of teats in a sow?

16 teats

What is the minimum number of teats required in a sow?

14 teats

What is the shape of the teats in a sow?

Elongated and pointed with two teat canals

What is an inverted teat in a sow?

A non-viable teat that mostly ends blindly

How are the teats positioned on a sow?

Equally placed in two parallel lines

What is considered poor teat placement in a sow?

Supramammary or diverging teats

What are the phases of milk production?

1. Colostral

2. Ascending

3. Plateau

4. Descending

What is the colostral phase of milk production in a sow?

The phase where immunoglobulins are present, lasting for 24 hours with 2.5-5L produced, and IgG decreases within 3 hours post-partum

What is the ascending phase of milk production in a sow?

The phase with increased nursings (up to 35), and milk quantity increases to 50g per nursing

What is the plateau phase of milk production in a sow?

Around day 10, this is when milk production reaches its maximum level

What is the descending phase of milk production in a sow?

The final phase of decreasing milk production

How is colostrum and milk ejected in a sow?

Colostrum: Elicited by movements of the sow

Milk: Synchronized by sow grunting, piglet massage of the udder, and oxytocin

What makes measuring milk productivity in sows difficult?

It requires 7-8 measurements over a 24-hour period

What are examples of mammary gland diseases?

1. Mastitis

2. Post-partum dysgalacia syndrome

3. Teat necrosis

4. Udder oedema

5. Agalactia

6. Mammary hypoplasia

What is mastitis in a sow?

Inflammation and infection of the mammary glands, commonly occurring during lactation

What are the classifications of mastitis in sows?

1. Uniglandular or multiglandular

2. Purulent/necrotic/parenchymatous/catarrhal

3. Acute/chronic

What infectious agents are commonly associated with mastitis in sows?

1. Coliform bacteria (e.coli, klebsiella)

2. Staphylococci

3. Streptococci

4. Miscellaneous bacteria

What are the predisposing factors for mastitis in sows?

1. Continual use of farrowing crates

2. Poor hygiene

3. Use of soiled bedding like sawdust

4. Wet floors

5. Contaminated water

6. Adverse temperatures

7. Build-up of faeces

What is the main route of entry for bacteria causing mastitis in sows?

1. Teat orifice

2. Bloodstream (septicaemia)

3. Piglets' teeth

What is the most severe type of mastitis?

Coliform

What is the pathogenesis of coliform bacteria mastitis in sows?

Causes severe acute mastitis resulting in reduced milk yield, illness in the sow, and poor piglet health

What are the clinical signs of acute mastitis in sows?

Inappetence, fever, hyperemia, swelling, discoloration

What are the clinical signs of chronic mastitis in sows?

Hard, non-painful lumps in mammary tissue that may ulcerate

What are the clinical signs of mastitis in piglets?

Hunger, squealing, potential death from starvation

What is the treatment for mastitis in sows?

1. Oxytocin

2. NSAIDs (flunixin, ketoprofen, meloxicam, dexamethasone)

3. Antibiotics (beta-lactams G-, streptomycin G+, broad-spectrum)

What is postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PPDS) in sows?

A condition occurring within the first three days after farrowing characterised by decreased milk production, affecting piglet growth and survival

What is the other name for postpartum dysgalactia syndrome?

Mastitis-Metritis-Agalactia (MMA) complex

What are the infectious factors contributing to PPDS in sows?

E.coli, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella species from the GIT, uterus, or respiratory system

What are non-infectious factors contributing to PPDS in sows?

1. Mouldy feed

2. Obesity, insufficient exercise

3. Constipation, insufficient water intake, low fibre

4. High temperatures, slippery floors, poor cleaning

5. Induction of parturition, large litter size

What is the pathogenesis of PPDS in sows?

Endotoxemia from constipation leads to increased bacterial proliferation in the gut, absorption of endotoxins into the blood, and changes in hormone levels affecting milk production

What are the clinical signs of PPDS in sows?

Anorexia, depression, fever, vaginal discharge, occasional mastitis, and a primary inability to produce sufficient milk

What are the clinical signs of PPDS in piglets?

Poor growth, diarrhoea, loss of condition, increased mortality

What is the treatment for PPDS in sows?

1. Flunixin meglumine

2. Penicillin/amoxicillin for gram-negative bacteria

3. Oxytocin 5-10 IU/sow (4-5 times a day for milk production)

4. Prostaglandin F2a for parturition

What is the prevention against postpartum dysgalacia syndrome?

1. Do not feed sow day of farrowing (can lead to constipation → bacteria overgrowth)

2. Good hygiene (prevent mastitis/metritis)

3. After farrowing start feeding gradually depending on number of piglets

What is teat necrosis in piglets?

A condition observed within 18 hours of birth where the teat sphincters become necrotic due to trauma from floor surfaces

What causes teat necrosis in piglets?

Trauma to teats, especially those in front of the umbilical cord, due to contact with the floor; often exacerbated by swollen teats from female hormones from sow

What are the clinical signs of teat necrosis in piglets?

The teat end appears bright red, gradually becoming black, and may result in blind or inverted teats

How is teat necrosis diagnosed?

Examine teats 8 - 24 hours after birth for red or black teat sphincters.

What is the treatment for teat necrosis in piglets?

There is no treatment

What is udder oedema in sows?

Excess fluid in the mammary tissues causing reduced milk production

What are the predisposing factors for udder oedema in sows?

Breed predisposition, low water intake, excitement, high feed levels before farrowing, constipation, and low fibre intake

What is the pathogenesis of udder oedema in sows?

The pressure produced in the glands once farrowing has ceased prevents a good milk flow & there is a reduction in both the quantity & quality of the colostrum

What are the clinical signs of udder oedema in sows?

Firm mammary glands with discomfort on high pressure but no pain; diarrhoea in piglets

How is udder oedema in sows diagnosed?

This is based upon the appearance of the litter, piglets showing starvation, & the udder which lacks milk & is "drying up", or the udder may be hard with oedema or fluid. Mastitis may also develop as a result of the oedema.

What is the treatment for udder oedema in sows?

Oxytocin (every 4-6 hours), milk supplementation, and preventative antibiotic injection

What is the prevention for udder oedema in sows?

Lower feed intake (herd level problem), increase fibre, note constipation

What is agalactia in sows?

A shortage of milk supply in an otherwise healthy lactating animal, often seen as a result of oedema or mastitis

What are the causes of agalactia in sows?

Hypoplastic udder, mastitis, old age, obesity, water shortage, poor crate design

What are the clinical signs of agalactia in sows?

No milk production, inappetence, fever, starving piglets, and udder oedema

What is mammary hypoplasia in sows?

Failure of udder development due to insufficient hormone production

What are the causes of mammary hypoplasia in sows?

Early insemination, poor nutrition, mycotoxin exposure, and genetics (rare)

What is the treatment for mammary hypoplasia in sows?

Affected animals should be culled as they will not produce milk

What is the prevention for mammary hypoplasia in sows?

Ensure a good supply of water and avoid breeding affected sows

What are examples of NSAIDs?

Flunixin meglumine, carprofen, meloxicam, ketoprofen

What is the difference between agalactia and dysglactia?

• Agalactia - no milk production

• Dysgalactia - mild milk production

What combination/analogue of oxytocin can be given?

Depotocin (Active substance: Carbetocin)