Pig

Analysis of hair cortisol as an indicator of chronic stress in pigs in two different farrowing systems

Confinement to farrowing crates is known to prevent sows from performing natural behavior, impairing animal welfare and possibly causing chronic stress. Hair cortisol analyses are increasingly used to detect chronic stress in animals. In the present study, hair samples were...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Wiechers, D.-H., Brunner, S., Herbrandt, S. et al. 2021. Analysis of hair cortisol as an indicator of chronic stress in pigs in two different farrowing systems. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8, 605078.

Is magnesium supplementation an effective nutritional method to reduce stress in domestic pigs? A systematic review

In commercial pig production, stressful events are common and can have detrimental impacts on the pig's health and welfare, as well as on the performance of the farm. Supplementary magnesium may reduce stress, and subsequent harmful and aggressive behaviors, that...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Bushby, E. V., Dye, L., Collins, L. M. 2021. Is magnesium supplementation an effective nutritional method to reduce stress in domestic pigs? A systematic review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 596205.

MicroRNAs as biomarkers for animal health and welfare in livestock

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small and highly conserved non-coding RNA molecules that orchestrate a wide range of biological processes through the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. An intriguing aspect in identifying these molecules as biomarkers is derived from their role in...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Bird, Cattle, Chicken, Fowl, Goat, Mink, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Miretti, S., Lecchi, C., Ceciliani, F. et al. 2020. MicroRNAs as biomarkers for animal health and welfare in livestock. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 578193.

The provision of toys to pigs can improve the human-animal relationship

It is now widely recognised that a positive human-animal relationship is beneficial not only for farm animals' welfare but also for productivity and the quality of products. A better understanding of animal emotions is an important goal in disciplines ranging...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Marcet-Rius, M., Pageat, P., Bienboire-Frosini, C. et al. 2020. The provision of toys to pigs can improve the human-animal relationship. Porcine Health Management 6, 29.

Revamping porcine enrichment

Pigs may exhibit stereotypic behaviors due to lack of proper mental stimulation. Stereotypic behaviors include self-inflicted wounds, biting at the pen, polydipsia, cage destruction, and loud vocalizations. These behaviors may be alleviated with proper daily enriching stimulation. Pigs enjoy a...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Heyworth, C. 2019. Revamping porcine enrichment. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 7(3) (September), 63-65.

Conscious urine sampling and quantification from indwelling catheterization of female Yucatan swine

In addition to routine diagnostic testing of urine for health status, data from urine collection is often necessary to support various nutritional, metabolic, biochemical, and physiologic studies. Collection methods can be stressful to the animal (manual restraint), may require sedation...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Cannulation, Catheterization, & IntubationAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Bogins, C., Beale, C. 2019. Conscious urine sampling and quantification from indwelling catheterization of female Yucatan swine. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 7(3) (September), 44-46.

Development of edible environmental enrichment objects for weaned pigs

Studies on environmental enrichment for weaned pigs have predominantly focused on stimulating exploration through “nonedible toys.” The research on edible enrichment objects is very limited. For this reason, the aim of this study was to develop and characterize edible environmental...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Durán, E., Churio, O., Lagos, J. et al. 2019. Development of edible environmental enrichment objects for weaned pigs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 34, 7-12.

Multiple refinements to the anaesthetic protocol for laparoscopic orthotopic kidney auto-transplantation in a pig model

Fifty-four pigs (Sus scrofa, Large White cross) from a commercial pig farm were anaesthetised over a six-year period from October 2011. The procedural stages included initial instrumentation for intra-operative monitoring, laparoscopic nephrectomy, preparation of the kidney graft, orthotopic auto-transplantation by...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Analgesia, Anesthesia & Sedation, Cannulation, Catheterization, & Intubation, Surgery & Post-OpAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Musk, G. C., Kershaw, H., He, B. 2019. Multiple refinements to the anaesthetic protocol for laparoscopic orthotopic kidney auto-transplantation in a pig model. Laboratory Animals 53(1), 72–78.

The effect of needle-free administration of local anesthetic on the behavior and physiology of castrated pigs

Pigs are routinely castrated in many countries without giving pain relief, which is an animal welfare concern. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the stress caused by administering local anesthetic (LA) using a needle-free injection system and evaluate...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Anesthesia & Sedation, Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Sutherland, M. A., Backus, B. L., Brooks, T. A. 2017. The effect of needle-free administration of local anesthetic on the behavior and physiology of castrated pigs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 21, 71-76.

Agricultural animals as biomedical models: Occupational health and safety considerations

The use of agricultural animals in biomedical research is increasing. Their overall size and metabolic rate, organ size, longer gestation period, and other physiological similarities make them good candidates for animal models of human disease. There are a number of...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Handling, HousingAnimal Type: Cattle, Chicken, Equine, Fowl, Goat, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Edwards, G. L., Michael, J. A., Parks., A. 2018. Agricultural animals as biomedical models: Occupational health and safety considerations. ILAR Journal 59(2), 161-167.