Factors associated with death due to hemorrhagic bowel syndrome in two large commercial swine farms

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the roles of season, gender, animal density, concurrent disease, and antibiotic feeding regimen on the occurrence of hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS). Methods: Retrospective analysis of finishing records from two large commercial swine herds. Results: Gender, animal density, and concurrentdisease were not associated with death due to HBS. Rates of death due to HBS were higher for pigs finished during the summer than for those finished in the winter. Rates of death due to HBS were lower in pigs fed rations containing bacitracin methylene disalicylate or chlortetracycline than in pigs on rations containing virginiamycin or no antibiotic. Implications: A definitive cause of HBS is still lacking; however, these results lend support to a non-infectious etiology involving intestinal volvulus. To further investigate whether HBS and volvulus are two separate syndromes, veterinarians and farm personnel trained to perform necropsies should palpate the mesenteric root before opening the abdomen.