Tolfenamic acid boosts piglet performance and reduces mortality in postpartum gilts

Prophylactic administration of tolfenamic acid to pigs had a positive effect on the health of piglets.

Researchers from Brazil recently evaluated the effects of administration of tolfenamic acid in the postpartum period for the treatment of postpartum dysgalactia syndrome in guinea pigs.

In sows suffering from postpartum dysgalactia syndrome, there is insufficient production of colostrum and milk in the postpartum period.The syndrome causes starvation and increased mortality of piglets, as well as infections of the uterine tract and udder in sows. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including flunixin, meloxicam, ketoprofen, can help to relieve pain and discomfort.

Data collection

ВDuring the study, 319 pigs (landrace × Large white) and their litters were evaluated. The young were inseminated at the age of 189 to 285 days. In the third trimester of pregnancy, all pigs received a diet based on corn, soy meal and vitamin premix. From lactation to weaning, the pigs received an ad libitum lactation ration.

The researchers randomly divided the pigs into 2 groups on the farrowing day: 157 pigs in the treatment group and 162 in the control group. After giving birth, each female in the experimental group was injected with 10 milliliters of tolfedin CS. The team recorded the most important data related to farrowing. In addition, they daily assessed the temperature and humidity in the experimental rooms, as well as the rectal temperature of the pigs and their litters.

The team also assessed the presence and classification of vulva secretions and their appearance. During farrowing, the number of (stillborn) and mummified piglets was recorded. In pigs whose body temperature was above 39.5 °C from the first to the third day after delivery with discharge from the vulva, the syndrome of postpartum dysgalactia was observed. The team also recorded the number of piglets with diarrhea in each litter and the number of live and dead piglets, as well as the causes of mortality.

Prophylactic administration of tolfenamic acid

Postpartum dysgalactia syndrome is usually difficult to diagnose. Therefore, it is important to use preventive treatment with tolphenamic acid to relieve farrowing pain and stress in sows. It also improves their health and well-being. In addition to this, acid in combination with antibiotics can help in the treatment of infectious causes of postpartum dysgalactia syndrome.

Prophylactic administration of tolphenamic acid to sows had a positive effect on the productivity of the litter, as the sows experienced less stress and chest pain. In addition, improved well-being increased the susceptibility of pigs to piglets and contributed to sufficient milk consumption. Moreover, the daily weight gain in the litters of sows treated with tolphenamic acid increased. Tolfenamic acid did not affect the average frequency of diarrhea in the litter during the evaluation period. In addition, the introduction of tolfenamic acid reduced mortality among 18-day-old piglets by 0.41%.

Conclusions

The authors concluded that prophylactic administration of tolfenamic acid to sows after farrowing of suckling pigs improved the productivity of piglets, but did not affect the occurrence of postpartum dysgalactia syndrome in primiparous sows.

SOURCE: emeat