Thin Sow Syndrome

Description

Thin sow syndrome is a multifactorial condition in which sows loose a large proportion of their body weight during lactation and early pregnancy and fail to restore their condition post weaning. The weight loss is progressive leading to emaciation, poor fertility and death. The ethical and economical consequences are serious.

Signalment

The condition is usually sporadic but may also affect an unacceptionally high proportion of the herd. The cause is multifactorial,

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

• Progressive weight loss
• Body condition score of 1
• Pale mucosa
• Hypothermia
• Poor asppetite
• Low conception rates
• Infertility

A full clinical exam should be carried out to rule out other conditions. A faecal egg count should also be performed to determine whether parasites are part of the cause.

References

• Jackson, G.G. and Cockcroft, P.D. (2007) Handbook of Pig Medicine Saunders Elsevier
• Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition) Merial
• Taylor, D.J. (2006) Pig Diseases (Eighth edition) St Edmunsdbury Press ltd

• It is associated with, but not caused by, Oesophagostomum.
• It is primarily a nutritional problem leading to the following sequence of events:
  • if quantity of feed offered is inadequate for batch-fed sows, hungry individuals are more vulnerable to infection and likely to eat bedding (and infective larvae)
  • acquire large worm burdens
  • intestinal damage and large numbers of eggs excreted
  • larger numbers of L3 in bedding
  • downward spiral: more and more intestinal damage
  • excessive loss of weight during lactation
  • the thin sow syndrome.