title: Effects of post-partum administration of ketoprofen on sow health and piglet growth.
abstract: The effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen on the post farrowing phase of sows was studied in a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Ketoprofen (3mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly to 20 healthy sows for 3 days post-partum (p.p.). The control group (n=20) received a saline placebo. Backfat, number of days of constipation and days before feed refusal were measured. Body condition (BCS) and shoulder sores were scored for 1 week p.p. Changes in BCS, backfat and shoulder sore scores were analysed with ANOVA. Blood was collected on days -1, 0, 5 and 14 with respect to medication. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine kinase (CK), haptoglobin and serum amyloid A (SAA) were quantified and analysed with a Mann-Whitney U test. BCS and backfat decreased less following ketoprofen administration than with the placebo (-0.08 ± 0.2 vs. -0.8 ± 0.2, 1.0 ± 0.8mm vs. -2.0 ± 0.9 mm, respectively; P<0.05 for both) during the first 2 weeks of lactation. The shoulder sore score deterioration was milder during days 4-6 p.p. with ketoprofen than placebo (P<0.05). Duration of constipation was shorter with ketoprofen than placebo (5.5 ± 0.3 vs. 6.4 ± 0.3 days p.p.; P<0.05). Incidences of feed refusal occurred later in the ketoprofen group than in the placebos (9.6 ± 0.9 vs. 3.8 ± 0.8 days p.p.; P<0.05). AST and SAA values were higher after ketoprofen administration than placebo on day 5 p.p. (P<0.05). It was concluded that ketoprofen appeared to benefit sows during the first 2 weeks post farrowing, but caused some tissue irritation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Production Animal Medicine, P.O. Box 57, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland. Electronic address: elina.viitasaari@helsinki.fi.
authors.forename: Elina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Viitasaari
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hänninen
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heinonen
authors.forename: Marja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raekallio
authors.forename: Toomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Orro
authors.forename: Olli
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Peltoniemi
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valros
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001824:Body Constitution / Q000187:drug effects*; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D007660:Ketoprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012782:Shoulder / Q000473:pathology; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000196:embryology
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007660:Ketoprofen
keywords: Farrowing; Ketoprofen; Sow