Title : An Assessment of Urinary Tract Infections in Sows NPB #

Previous studies revealed that 22% to 40% of sows in confinement operations are affected with urinary tract infections (UTI) and UTI contribute to sow mortality. This study was designed to determine if UTI are detrimental to sow performance and to identify the stage of the production cycle that sows are at greatest risk of acquiring UTI. The study was conducted on a commercial sow farm and urine samples were collected from sows in late gestation, shortly after farrowing, in late lactation, after weaning and during early gestation. Approximately 300 sows were included in the study. All efforts were made to match sows with UTI (cases) to sows without UTI (controls). Abnormal urine samples (increased protein and white blood cells) were more common in sows during lactation and postweaning than in sows during late lactation. Based on urine evaluations, it was evident that water intake was insufficient in late lactation and sow urine was concentrated. Some sows appeared to recover from the UTI with the sole intervention of increased access to water in the gestation/breeding facilities. Surprisingly, the subclinical UTI, as detected with urinalysis methods, did not interfere with sow reproductive performance, as farrowing rates and litter sizes were similar in control sows and case sows. Urine abnormalities, indicative of UTI, are common in sows; however, it is evident that further refinements of urinalysis methods are required to adequately predict the outcome of UTI in sows. Introduction: Few studies previously evaluated the role of urinary tract infections (UTI) in sow performance in the USA. UTI include cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder) and pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidney). Our studies (Howell et al., 1994; Almond and Stevens, 1995) confirmed European reports that revealed 22 to 40% of sows in confinement operations are affected with UTI. The proportion of sow deaths attributable to cystitis/pyelonephritis varies from 10% to greater than 40% in Europe, Canada, and the USA (Sanz et al., 2002). Death is the extreme outcome of UTI; however, early and subtle clinical signs, such as anorexia and frequent urination and increased drinking, commonly are overlooked in commercial farms. Without therapy, the infectious process progresses to involve the kidneys and ureters. Once the kidneys are affected, the animal’s condition rapidly deteriorates and becomes life threatening.