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10 THE RURAL VOICE
Diagnostics
Gastric torsions in sows
by Dr. S. Ernest Sanford
Veterinary Laboratory Services
Huron Park
Prior to the 1980s, gastric torsions
(twisted stomachs) were so rare in pigs
that they were seldom ever mentioned
in textbooks dealing with diseases of
swine. However, as our herd sizes
increased along with intensive
management practices, a distinct
pattern of death due to
gastric torsion in sows
started to emerge.
Since the spleen often
twists along with the
stomach, there is often a
gastrosplenic torsion.
Indeed, one of several
conditions may result:
1. Gastric Torsion —
stomach alone twisted.
2. Splenic Torsion — spleen alone
twisted.
3. Gastrosplenic Torsion — stomach
and spleen twisted.
In all three conditions, sudden death
occurs usually with no warning signs.
Sometimes a brief period may be ob-
served with the sow exhibiting increas-
ed discomfort, restlessness, refusal to
eat or drink, then reluctance to move,
increased swelling and tightness of the
abdomen, difficulty in breathing, and
possibly slobbering saliva. These signs
are more likely to be observed if the
spleen alone is twisted (without the
stomach). When the spleen is involved
it becomes engorged with blood and
often ruptures. The sow then "bleeds
out" into her abdomen.
WHAT IS CAUSING
THESE TORSIONS?
As I mentioned above, these gastric
torsions seemed to emerge as a problem
over the last decade or so. We can now
point to several factors that are individ-
ually, or in various combinations,
related to these "epidemics" of gastric
and gastrosplenic torsions. Torsion
occurs more frequently in:
1. Older sows (3 or more lactation).
2. Sows in mid or late gestation (ie.
dry sows).
3. Sows in medium and large (200
plus sow herds; and especially 500
plus) sow herds.
4. Dry sows fed once every 24 hours,
and, more so, dry sows fed once every
48 hours.
5. Large sow herds that are manually
fed, especially if the feeding pattern is
changed — ie. different times on
weekends or maybe different person(s)
feeding.
6. The last sows fed in a row or the
last fed in the barn.
7. More frequently in dry sows in
individual stalls, crates or
tethers.
Although not as clearly
documented, the particle size
of the feed may have some
impact if there is a continu-
ing problem in the herd. If
the particle size is less than
550 µm and there is a
continuing torsion problem,
even after addressing the
above factors, an increase in the
particle size to 750-850 pm may help.
One other factor that cannot be
overlooked is that the gastric torsion
might be the final episode of several
previous gastric dilations (bloat) that
may have occurred in the past. Sows
that become overly agitated at feeding
time may eat and drink large amounts
of feed and water rapidly. This activity
sets them up for gastric dilatation. Sev-
eral such episodes over many months
and years could then set up conditions
where the stomach and/or spleen finally
twists. The sow then dies of shock.
Over the last decade several herds
have gone through these bouts of
torsions. Indeed, it is fair to say that
once a herd experiences one or two of
these torsions, they can usually expect
to get more if the initiating cause(s) are
not addressed. It does take some good
detective work at times, but working
with their veterinarian, producers have
been able to eventually identify just
which factors are involved in their herd,
correct them, and overcome this
problem of gastric torsions in sows.°
We have tried to keep our topics timely
and informative. However, we would
welcome any suggestions from readers
for future topics. We would also invite
interested persons to tour the facilities
at the Diagnostics Laboratory at Huron
Park. We would ask that you make
prior arrangements by phoning 228-
6691, Ext. 276.