STRONG ACTIVE PIGLETS VERSUS INTRA-UTERINE GROWTH-RATE RESTRICTED (IUGR)-PIGLETS

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Strong active piglets versus intra-uterine growth-rate restricted (IUGR)-piglets

Recognising IUGR piglets:

• steep, dolphin-like forehead, ears to the back
• bulging eyes
• wrinkles perpendicular to the mouth (Hales, 2013)

When a whole batch of sows farrows 2-3 days too early, veterinary advice is recommended. 

• A typical situation: farrowing was planned for the Thursday but many sows have already farrowed by Tuesday. Weak piglets lead to low milk-release of the sow.
• The colostrum’s nutrient composition will be suboptimal when compared to normal births and will further compromise the piglets development.
• When mixing early-born piglets from other litters is required this will increase the likelihood of infection in mixed groups.

IUGR-piglets = unequal opportunity

Possible causes:

• Poor protection of piglets by the uterus: i.e. viral infections during gestation, i.e. PRRS, Circovirus, Parvovirus and Influenza
• Sub optimal intra-uterine nutrient supply of the foetuses

(Source: Amdi et al., 2013)