Veterinary Notes for the Farmer

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 59, Issue 6, 15 December 1939, Page 515

Veterinary Notes for the Farmer

Discussions . on First-Aid ■ Measures

Contributed by the Livestock Division

Castration of Pigs THE pig farmer is faced with castration of his male pigs in a similar manner to the sheep farmer, who requires to deal with , his lambs. The difference between these two classes is a difference mainly between the nature of the scrotal sac. In the pig : the testicles are caught up and there is no . apparent sac, whereas in the lamb the testicles are supported in a pendulous, sac with a distinct - neck. In the latter case several methods of castration are open to the. operator, including the use of instruments for crushing the cord without causing a skin wound. This is considered advantageous by many operators, as it prevents infection of wounds, suppuration, and subsequent abscesses. ~ '. . Strict Cleanliness If the same method of operation could be adopted in the case of the pig it would probably reduce or eliminate the large number of pigs found affected with post-operation abscesses. Abscess formation at the seat of castration should not occur if strict cleanliness is observed at the time of operation and for a few days following.

. A clean, knife which has been sterilised- by boiling should be used for the castration of pigs. - The skin over the scrotum should be thoroughly washed with soap and water or a weak antiseptic lotion before the incision is made. The incision over each testicle should be - large enough 'to enable the testicle to be enucleated without any pressure and to provide adequate drainage of the wound afterwards.— No pockets should be left at the lower part of, the wound (the pig being in the upright position), as pockets are liable to become infected and form abscesses. \ A clean operation with a clean instrument should not require any antiseptic treatment after the operation. In practice, however, it is advisable to apply a protective dressing of tar, as the surroundings may contaminate the wound. As clean surroundings as possible should be provided, the pigs being placed in a paddock with a good covering of grass. - > . -, > Suitable Age . Healing of the wound takes place quickly in young : pigs, and it is advisable to castrate the pigs at an . early age, about three or four weeks being a good age. .

Veterinary Notes for the Pig Farmer

. Care in the eastration of pigs and the,elimination of abscesses will enable more pigs to be exported. A suppurating wound may . become infected further and become the site of a necrotic ulcer or sore. .

Necrotic Ulcers Or Sores UNDER this heading may be described the formation ,of sores or ulcers on any part of the skin of the pig. The origin of the sore is a wound 'or ■ break in the skin which allows infection to gain entrance. This may occur in any part of the body, but most commonly the sores' are seen about the mouth, jaw, and nose in young pigs, whereas in older pigs the sores are commonly seen on ? the; foot, the point of the hock or knee, at the seat of castration, or on the shoulder or hip. ■ The sores follow infection of a wound with specific organisms which cause such a destruction of the tissues that the ulcer .soon becomes covered with a thick crust of debris, . the organisms appearing to spread and eat deeper and , deeper into the skin and tissues. Many owners . have described the condition as cancer of the skin, and many pigs have been killed when this erroneous view has been taken. Although prevention is better than treatment, it must be remembered that many affected pigs can be treated and successfully cured, and that the fattened pigs will then be passed when sent forward for slaughter. • /■' ■■ \■ ■ ■ ■’< Treatment s The treatment consists of cleaning up the sore by removing the thick

crust or scab with brush,, soap, and water. When dry, the affected., sore should be dusted lightly with tartar emetic, known and obtainable from the chemist -as potassium antimony tartrate. This , is a poisonous powder, and must be handled with care on the farm and in the treatment . of ..affected animals. Naturally, animals affected about the mouth will be difficult to treat because of the danger of poisoning the animal. In this case, finely powdered bluestone may be dusted on to the affected sore. In all other cases better results will be obtained from using the powdered tartar emetic. Prevention Prevention comprises mainly the isolation: and treatment of the affected animals. If a large number of pigs ■ • . .. - • • • .1 : are found affected on one property, it is apparent that the pig sections are infected with the organisms responsible for the disease. Consideration would then need to be given to a change of site for the piggery or to

the gradual evacuation of infected pig sections, which may then be ploughed up, limed, and cropped before being sown down again. Particular attention should be paid to the drainage of sections and the general sanitation of houses and feeding places, and troughs. The prevention ■ of wounds on pigs of all ages will cover several aspects of pig management, and include the removal of teeth from young pigs, the prevention of fighting among pigs of different ages and litters, attention to sties and fencing, and the general dressing of wounds occurring accidentally. The "Stag" Pig CASES are seen at some of the killing centres where a “stag” pig has been loaded in a truck with other .pigs being sent forward for slaughter. The damage such an . animal may do to the other pigs in the truck is appalling at times. Otherwise sound, healthy pigs may be gored and gashed to such an extent that the carcasses

have either to be rejected for export or graded down. It is suggested that a young “stag” pig may . be overlooked at the time of sale or loading, but there is no excuse for loading up a large “stag” pig with prominent tusks in a truck with porkers or bacon In a recent case under notice the entire truck load of baconer pigs was gashed and gored by an aged “stag” with prominent tusks. • The damage caused . was • more than the “stag” animal was worth. In such a case it would appear advisable either to detusk the “stag” on the farm prior to railing, to load the animal in a separate truck or in a crate, or to destroy.,the animal on the. farm. \ . The vendor who insists on a buyer taking an aged “stag” with the other pigs purchased on the farm should realise the serious damage, such an animal may do. Likewise, there is a responsibility on the buyer to see that such an animal is crated or trucked separately. \

Answers to Correspondents Meat Which Went Bad

“SUNDAY PIE” (EAST COAST):— One Friday , recently the cowboy killed a wether for ■ the house. The body was left hanging in the slaughterhouse overnight, and was then taken to the butcher’s shop, where it was cut to requirements. At 10 o’clock on Saturday morning the leg was cooked for Sunday’s dinner, and when served, the .meat was bad. K The slaughterhouse is an open-air one, and very clean. The butcher’s shop is enclosed, but is also clean. The weather was overcast, with a few scattered showers. I would deem it a great favour -if you would furnish me with full particulars' as to what might have been the cause of the meat turning bad so soon.

LIVESTOCK DIVISION:— In reply to a , problem of this nature it will be quite clear that under normal circumstances the meat obtained from the wether should have been perfectly fresh and wholesome, even though the weather was overcast and probably muggy.

- US—MH UH HH—HU— HU UH UH A possible explanation lies in the fact that the, wether was suffering from some fevered condition at ' the time of slaughter, and as a consequence did not bleed out as thoroughly as a perfectly

normal animal. In such a case the carcass does not set properly, and decomposition sets in quickly. . An improperly-bled carcass does not keep well. ■ . ■ ■ It is possible that the animal was hurriedly brought in from the paddock for slaughter, and in such a case thorough bleeding does not always take place. All animals should ibe thoroughly rested in the yard over-' night before slaughter.

Mi—•»»- —oh— tin— «n— «n—sn—an— Advisory Service on Veterinary Matters. Farmers are invited to submit inquiries connected with the health of their stock, and the replies will be published under 1 this heading.