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Umbilical hernias in pig production influenced by correct farrowing
Nordic
News
by ASHLEY NORVAL
THERE has been much de- bate over the past year in Denmark as to whether devel- opment of umbilical hernias is a genetic issue or not.
Though little peer-reviewed literature has been published on the subject, there are very clear management strategies in the farrowing house that have proven successful in reducing the prevalence of umbilical hernias and outpouchings in a herd, re- gardless of the animals’ genetic origin.
A true umbilical hernia occurs when pressure in the abdominal cavity creates a weak spot where the peritoneum or organs pen- etrate and form a visible hernia sack under the abdomen.
Umbilical hernias are often mistaken for other conditions – most commonly abscesses, scar tissue and cysts.
Collectively, these can be described as an umbilical out- pouchings, and look quite similar on a pig.
The only way to accurately di- agnose an umbilical hernia is to cut the pig open post-mortem, which is not practical in produc- tion.
Studies by the Danish Pig Re- search Centre have shown the occurrence of true umbilical hernias varies from 0-6 percent, even though subject herds use the same genetics.
Initial results of a recently com- pleted Danish study (currently unpublished) indicate umbilical hernias develop by day 14.
Because of this, correct far- rowing house management is so important in the prevention of umbilical outpouchings, regard- less if they are true hernias or not.
Once the piglet reaches 14 days, the influence of management is significantly reduced, so it is
best to act early in the farrowing house.
SEGES released an action plan in 2019 with 10 recommenda- tions for reducing the risk of her- nias.
Based on correct farrowing house management practices, the suggestions essentially reduce the infection risk to the piglet and im- prove the pen environment.
See the attached infographic for these instructions (or online at svineproduktion.dk).
The key message is the far- rowing pen must be disinfected, cleaned and completely dried be- fore the sow enters the pen.
Due to the climate in Denmark, there are further minimum tem- perature requirements for the pen, which may not be such an issue in Australia, however pig- lets cannot be born into a cold environment.
To add further anecdotal evi- dence to the key message, I re- cently worked with a farm in Denmark that was able to reduce its hernia prevalence from 11 to 3 percent, purely by properly clean- ing and disinfecting the farrow- ing pens.
The farm staff had installed a
milk cup system for the manage- ment of large litters (their man- agement strategy is for each sow to raise 18 piglets on her own).
However, due to the design of that particular system, staff were not able to properly clean and disinfect each pen between litters.
Upon changing the milk cup system, which enabled the correct disinfection of the pen, coupled with a management strategy to ensure all pens were dried follow- ing disinfection and prior to load- ing any sows, an immediate drop in hernia prevalence resulted.
The farm has been able to maintain the new strategy, with nothing else changed – least of all the genetics.
Though this management strat- egy seems very simple – correct- ly disinfect, clean, dry and warm farrowing pens prior to loading a sow – there are significant gains to be made if hernias are an issue in a production system.
Aside from the benefit of poten- tially reducing hernia prevalence, minimising the infection risk to a sow and her piglets is always a positive outcome and should be a part of routine farrowing house management procedures.
Recommendations to reduce the risk of hernias in pigs. Image: SEGES
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Australian Pork Newspaper, March 2020 – Page 9


































































































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