Evaluation of environmental and management-related risk factors associated with chronic mastitis in sows.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate environmental and management-related risk factors associated with chronic mastitis in sows.


METHODS
1,254 sows from 76 herds.


METHODS
Prevalence of chronic mastitis was determined by a veterinarian who performed clinical examinations at the time of weaning and approximately 1 week later in a sample of the sow population on each farm. Information concerning environmental factors and management practices was collected. In addition, the herd veterinarian made an assessment of the farmer's skills in swine production.


RESULTS
Use of partly slatted floors in the farrowing pens, use of disinfectants between batches in the farrowing and breeding areas, feeding lactating sows whey, and avoiding cutting or grinding of the piglets' teeth were significantly associated with a decreased risk of chronic mastitis. A high hygienic standard on the farm, as determined by the herd veterinarian, was associated with a significant reduction in the prevalence of mastitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic mastitis in sows is a common disease that has a negative influence on productivity. Results indicate that certain management practices and environmental factors influenced the development of mastitis, which may contribute to the development of methods useful for controlling the disease.
Hultén
Fredrik
F
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Centre for Reproductive Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7039, SE-75 007 Uppsala, Sweden.
Persson
Arne
A
Eliasson-Selling
Lena
L
Heldmer
Eva
E
Lindberg
Maria
M
Sjögren
Urban
U
Kugelberg
Christina
C
Ehlorsson
Carl-Johan
CJ
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D003729:Dental Care / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal; D008413:Mastitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012499:Sanitation / Q000379:methods; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*