Causes of death of sows in three Brazilian pig farms

ABSTRACT: Sow mortality is directly related to financial losses and productive efficiency in pig farms. Despite this, diseases associated with the death of sows are poorly understood. This study aimed determine main causes Brazilian To perform this research, three farms were visited, necropsies performed on all that had died spontaneously or subjected euthanasia. Tissue fragments collected for histopathological bacteriological examination. In addition, clinical signs, stage, parity, type (spontaneous euthanasia) recorded. A total 138 performed, 132 a conclusive diagnosis. The most frequent stages gestation lactation (33.3 31.9%, respectively), followed by parturient (17.4%), cull (9.4%), weaning-to-estrus interval (WEI) (4.3%), unmated gilts (3.6%). affected organ systems reproductive (28%), digestive (25%), locomotor (22%), cardiovascular (9.1%), hematopoietic (6.1%). frequently diagnosed conditions uterine prolapse (16/132; 12.1%), gastric ulcer (13/132; 9.8%), suppurative arthritis (11/132; 8.3%), liver lobe torsion heart failure (9/132; 6.8%), vaginal rectal pododermatitis (8/132; 6.1%). Although 58.2% deaths due one these seven diseases, there was great variability diagnoses.