Are you like me and just can’t get enough pigs? When you’re not working with them in the field do you surround yourself with a collection of porcine figurines and piggy banks? On family vacations do you drive the kids nuts looking for the perfect pig memorabilia that walks that fine line between art and tacky? Well, no respectable pig collection would be complete without at least one of the handcrafted one-of-a-kind items being auctioned at the 2009 AASV Foundation Auction.
Monthly Archives: December 2008
AMI, NMA take on California Non-Ambulatory Livestock Law
The American Meat Institute (AMI) filed a motion last Wednesday to broaden the scope of a lawsuit filed by the National Meat Association in California to block enforcement of state law banning any species of non-ambulatory livestock at federally-inspected meat packing plants.
Effect of Age on Piglets’ Behavioral and Physiological Responses to Tail Docking and Ear Notching
Neonatal piglets are often subject to potentially painful processing procedures such as tail docking and ear notching during the first few days after birth. However, these procedures may influence the development of suckling behavior and passive transfer of immunoglobulins, especially if done within the first day postpartum. The objective of this experiment was to compare the effects of processing piglets during the first 24 h versus at 3 d of age on suckling and pain-related behavior, the passive transfer of immunoglobulins, and growth. Six piglets per litter from 20 litters (n=120 piglets) were used in a 3 x 2 complete block design. Piglets were weighed at birth and assigned to 1 of 3 treatments (balanced by birth weight): control (C; unmanipulated), sham processed (S; manually manipulated) and processed (P; tail docked and ear notched) at 1 of 2 ages (1 or 3 d-of-age). Vocalizations were recorded during the procedures, and piglets were observed after the procedures for pain-related behavior. Suckling behavior was observed for 6 h on each of d 1 to 4. Colostrum samples were collected after the birth of all piglets (prior to first suck), and blood samples were collected on d 5 to examine levels of immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Body weights were measured at birth and on d 5 and 14. During the procedures, P piglets, regardless of age, vocalized at a higher frequency (P < 0.001) and produced more high frequency calls (P = 0.016) than S piglets. All piglets on d 1 produced more high frequency calls than all piglets on d 3 (P = 0.047). Immediately after the procedures, S and P piglets spent less time lying and more time standing than C piglets (P < 0.001), whereas P piglets jammed their tail between their legs more than S or C piglets (P < 0.001). Lying, standing and tail posture were not influenced by age, nor were there age by treatment interactions. Piglets on d 1 trembled more than piglets on d 3 (P < 0.001), and this tended to be exacerbated by processing (P = 0.076). There was no effect of treatment or age of treatment on suckling behavior. P piglets had lower IgG serum concentrations than S and C piglets (P = 0.029), although there was no interaction between treatment and age of treatment (P = 0.67). While tail docking and ear notching do appear to result in short-term pain and modulated immune status, processing on d 1 appears neither better nor worse than processing on d 3.
BIVI Seeks PRRS Research Proposals
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) is seeking research proposals to study porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).
Applicants Sought for Alternate Student Delegate on AASV Board of Directors
The AASV Student Recruitment Committee is accepting applications for veterinary students interested in serving as the Alternate Student Delegate on the AASV Board of Directors. This student will represent student interests and serve as a non-voting member of the AASV board. This experience will provide the student with a unique perspective of the inner workings of the AASV. The term of service is 2 years; the first year as alternate student delegate, and the second year as the student delegate.
Candidates for AASV VP: Drs. Randy Jones and Scanlon Daniels
The annual election for AASV Vice President is now underway. The nominees are Drs. Randy Jones (Kinston, North Carolina) and Scanlon Daniels (Dalhart, Texas). Information about the candidates appears in the January/February 2009 issue of the Journal of Swine Health and Production. Ballots have been mailed to all AASV Active Members (veterinarians in the US, Canada, and Mexico) and must be returned by mail. Only official ballots received in the AASV office by February 27 will be counted. The election results will be announced at the AASV 2009 Annual Meeting in Dallas.
Nominations sought for AASV District Directors
Nominations for the office of AASV District Director are currently being solicited in several AASV districts. Nomination cards have been mailed to all eligible voters in districts 1 (northeastern US), 4 (Indiana & Michigan), and the new district 7 (south central and southwestern US). At the fall Board of Directors meeting, the current districts 7 (KS, OK, TX) and 10 (southwestern US) were merged into a single district, which will be the new district 7. Members from the current districts 7 and 10 will have the opportunity to elect the director of the new, larger district. Nominations must be returned to the AASV office by January 23.
Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with seropositivity in sows from 67 herds in north-west Germany infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
Risk factors for the spread of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in sows have not been studied although vertical transmission from sows to their offspring is considered a significant risk factor in the development of enzootic pneumonia in growers and finishers. Seropositivity for M. hyopneumoniae in sows, as assessed by commercial ELISA, is a possible indicator of infection pressure among sows. The objective of this study was to estimate seroprevalence and associated risk factors of a sow being seropositive for M. hyopneumoniae. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2578 sows from 67 herds in north-west Germany. Data concerning general herd characteristics, acclimatisation practices, indoor and outside contacts, as well as data describing the immediate local environment were collected during a herd visit via questionnaire. Blood samples were seropositive in 65% of the 2578 sows, and all herds had ≥14% seropositive sows. Data analysis was performed in two steps. First, univariate analysis of predictor variables for the risk of a sow being seropositive for M. hyopneumoniae was performed using chi-square test. Secondly, all variables associated with the risk of a sow being seropositive (P ≤ 0.25) were included in a multivariate model using a generalised linear model. The risk of a sow being seropositive for M. hyopneumoniae was increased in herds with two- or three-site production (OR 1.50), when piglets were not vaccinated against M. hyopneumoniae (OR 1.81), in herds with a 2-week farrowing intervals (OR 1.84) and in herds without all-in/all-out management of the farrowing units (OR 1.37). The lack of an acclimatisation period for replacement boars was also associated with the risk of a sow being seropositive (OR 2.10). The results indicate that M. hyopneumoniae seropositivity is common in sows in north-west Germany and is influenced by various management factors. It is recommended that evaluation of sow herd management should be included in any strategic health plan to control M. hyopneumoniae infection.
FDA Rescinds Order Banning the Extralabel use of Cephalosporins
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is revoking the order prohibiting the extralabel use of cephalosporin antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals. FDA received many substantive comments following issuance of the order of prohibition and is taking this action so that it may fully consider these comments.
“Holiday Greetings“
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL OF US AT AASV