Animal Welfare Compromises Associated with Causes of Death in Neonatal Piglets

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dc.citation.issue21
dc.citation.volume12
dc.contributor.authorChidgey K
dc.contributor.authorUdomteerasuwat N
dc.contributor.authorMorel PCH
dc.contributor.authorCastillo-Alcala F
dc.coverage.spatialSwitzerland
dc.date.available2022-10-26
dc.date.available2022-10-25
dc.date.issued2022-10-26
dc.description(c) The Author/s
dc.description.abstractThis pilot study aimed to assess the welfare impacts of different causes of pre-weaning deaths in piglets. Piglets that died between 0–7 days after birth (n = 106) were collected from two commercial pig farms and subject to post-mortem examination to confirm their cause of death as well as any contributing factors. Using the Five Domains Model, the most likely affective experiences associated with the pathological findings were carefully inferred to better understand affective experience as it related to known causes of liveborn piglet mortality. The most common causes of liveborn piglet mortality were starvation (23%), crushing (23%) and non-viable (21%). Thirty one piglets had evidence of starvation, but it was only considered the primary cause of death in 15 piglets, as cofactors such as poor viability (n = 13) were also present in many piglets with evidence of starvation. All 15 piglets that were crushed died within 24 h after birth and most had evidence of thoracic and/or abdominal internal bleeding. This study found that common causes of liveborn piglet death were associated with compromises in Domains 1 (Nutrition/hydration), 3 (Health/function), and4 (Behavioural interactions), with the most likely resulting affective states described in Domain 5 (Mental state). This highlights the interaction between physical/functional and situation-related (behavioural) aspects that influence an animals’ welfare status.
dc.description.publication-statusPublished online
dc.identifierhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36359057
dc.identifierani12212933
dc.identifier.citationAnimals (Basel), 2022, 12 (21)
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/ani12212933
dc.identifier.elements-id457470
dc.identifier.harvestedMassey_Dark
dc.identifier.issn2076-2615
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherMDPI AG
dc.relation.isPartOfAnimals (Basel)
dc.rightsCC BY
dc.subjectfive domains
dc.subjectmortality
dc.subjectpiglet
dc.subjectpost-mortem
dc.subjectwelfare
dc.subject.anzsrc0502 Environmental Science and Management
dc.subject.anzsrc0608 Zoology
dc.subject.anzsrc0702 Animal Production
dc.titleAnimal Welfare Compromises Associated with Causes of Death in Neonatal Piglets
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.notesNot known
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Sciences
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Sciences/School of Agriculture & Environment
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Sciences/School of Veterinary Science
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