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An Epidemiologic and Economic Study of Respiratory Diseases in Two Conventional Danish Swine Herds. I: Prevalence of Respiratory Lesions at Slaughter and Their Effects on Growth

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 34, pages 319–329 (1993)Cite this article

Abstract

A total of 578 slaughter pigs from 2 Danish conventional farrow-to-finish operations (Herds A and B) were followed from an age of 14 days to slaughter. Pigs were weighed at 3 weeks intervals and at slaughter and an extended post mortem examination of the plucks was done. Comparison of growth rates in pigs with and without specific types of lesions by the t-test and those with multiple lesions with regression models demonstrated that Mycoplasma-like pneumonia, complicated pneumonia, anterio-ventral pleuritis, fissures and atrophic rhinitis significantly reduced mean daily gain and increased the time required to reach slaughter weight. The total impact of the lesions in Herd A was an estimated reduction in mean daily gain of 27 grams and a 2 day increase in the interval from 14 days of age until slaughter (MDG14). Decreases in MDG14 in Herd B were more substantial, 98 grams and 16.7 days. Reductions in mean daily gains during the interval from the fourth weighing until slaughter were 31 grams in Herd A and 137 grams in Herd B. Chronic dorso-caudal and parietal pleuritis, without other lesions present, had no significant adverse effects on growth rates in either herd. Interactions between lesions did not significantly alter the estimates. The R2 values obtained for the regression models showed that the presence, absence or extent of lesions at slaughter explained only 13-27% of the variations in growth rates in the 2 herds.

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Acknowledgements

This manuscript is dedicated to Prof. D. V. Sc. Ole Aalund who passed away before completion of the study. The authors thank The Federation of Danish Pig Producers and Slaughter Houses and The Danish Agricultural and Veterinary Research Council for the financial support for this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Science and Animal Health, Division of Ethology and Health, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    L. G. Paisley, L. Vraa-Andersen, L. Dybkjær, K. Møller, G. Christensen, J. Mousing & J. F. Agger

  2. Veterinary Division, The Federation of Danish Pig Producers and Slaughterhouses, Bülowsvej 13, DK-1870, Frederiksberg C, Kjellerup and Copenhagen, Denmark

    L. G. Paisley, L. Vraa-Andersen, L. Dybkjær, K. Møller, G. Christensen, J. Mousing & J. F. Agger

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  1. L. G. Paisley
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  3. L. Dybkjær
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Paisley, L.G., Vraa-Andersen, L., Dybkjær, L. et al. An Epidemiologic and Economic Study of Respiratory Diseases in Two Conventional Danish Swine Herds. I: Prevalence of Respiratory Lesions at Slaughter and Their Effects on Growth. Acta Vet Scand 34, 319–329 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03548175

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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

ISSN: 1751-0147