Prevalence of constipation and its influence on post-parturient disorders in tropical sows

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of constipation and its influence on farrowing duration and the evidence of post-parturient disorders in tropical sows and to evaluate the efficacy of a laxative supplementation during gestation and around farrowing on the incidence of constipation. Two experiments were performed in a commercial swine herd in Thailand. In experiment 1, the prevalence of constipation was determined in 96 gestating sows. Subsequently, 62 of them (64.6 %), with a severe to moderate degree of constipation, received 20 ml of a laxative for 3 days during gestation. In experiment 2, constipation score was determined in sows before, during, and after farrowing. A total of 98 sows were randomly allocated to one of two groups: the treatment group (n = 48) received 20 ml of a laxative for 3 days before farrowing, and the control group (n = 50) did not receive any laxative. Rectal temperature, appetite score, incidence of postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS), and vaginal discharge score was determined for 4 days. In experiment 1, supplementation of laxative reduced the proportion of sows with moderate to severe constipation (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, sows with moderate to very severe constipation had a 28-min longer duration of farrowing than sows with normal faeces. Constipation in sows on the day of farrowing resulted in reduced appetite on day 1 postpartum (P = 0.008). The incidence of sows with fever on day 1 postpartum was two times higher in sows with constipation than in sows with normal faeces (36.2 and 16.7 %, respectively; P = 0.041).

Prophylactic Use of Meloxicam and Paracetamol in Peripartal Sows Suffering From Postpartum Dysgalactia Syndrome

“…Mild constipation around farrowing can be physiological due to low fiber content of the feed and restricted feeding (33). However, severe constipation in the peripartal period might cause serious problems, namely prolonged farrowing length and risk of PPDS (34)(35)(36). In our study, no significant differences were seen between treatment groups.…”

Impact of sugar beet pulp and wheat bran on serum biochemical profile, inflammatory responses and gut microbiota in sows during late gestation and lactation

“…It is well known that constipation is a common symptom for pregnant sows because gastrointestinal motility was decreased, and transit time was significantly prolonged during pregnancy, thereby resulting in increased water absorption and eventually low frequency and hard stools [ 26 ]. Constipation can lead to a series of distressing symptoms, including abdominal distension, gut obstruction, perforation, and increased farrowing duration, thereby affecting health of sows [ 27 ]. In this study, greater fecal water content was observed in sows fed SBP and WB diets when compared with those fed CON diets, suggesting that high fiber diets may alleviate the constipation severity in pregnant sows by retaining fecal water content.…”

Impact of sugar beet pulp and wheat bran on serum biochemical profile, inflammatory responses and gut microbiota in sows during late gestation and lactation

“…It is well known that constipation is a common symptom for pregnant sows because gastrointestinal motility was decreased, and transit time was signi cantly prolonged during pregnancy, thereby resulting in increased water absorption and eventually low frequency and hard stools [25]. Constipation can lead to a series of distressing symptoms, including abdominal distension, gut obstruction, perforation, and increased farrowing duration, thereby affecting health of sows [26]. In this study, greater fecal water content was observed in sows fed SBP and WB diets when compared with those fed CON diets, suggesting that high ber diets may alleviate the constipation severity in pregnant sows by retaining fecal water content.…”