MASTITIS METRITIS AGALACTIA IN SWINE
1Dr. Paramveer Singh Sangha, 2Dr. Sumeet Singh, 3Dr. Asiya Mushtaq, 4Dr. Sundus Gazal
1Ph.D Scholar, Department of Veterinary Gynecology and Obstetrics, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India-141004, paramveersangha7@gmail.com
2,Ph.D Scholar, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India-141004, sumeetsingh1313kpt@gmail.com
3Ph.D Scholar, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India-141004, drasiyalone@gmail.com
4Ph.D Scholar, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India-141004, gazalsundus@gmail.com
*Corresponding Author: paramveersangha7@gmail.com
Introduction
Swine agalactia (formerly known as MMA or mastitis, metritis, agalactia) is a disease syndrome that causes baby pigs to starve to death and increases their vulnerability to other fatal neonatal disorders. Because of its economic significance, this illness is extremely important to pig producers. The classic swine agalactia condition manifests itself in the early stages of breastfeeding. A complete loss of milk (agalactia) is less common than a decline in typical milk quantities (hypogalactia). The latter is often overlooked, and the belief that the baby pigs were born feeble is frequently accepted as fact. During a farrowing cycle, the number of sows or gilts affected by this illness syndrome in a given herd can range from 0 to 100%, with an average of 13.1 percent.
Causes
The illness complex might occur as early as farrowing or as late as several days following parturition. Bacterial invasion of the udder and subsequent development of endotoxins are the most common causes (the cell wall lipopolysaccharide produced by bacteria like E. coli). However, endotoxin cannot always be detected in infected animals’ plasma, and bacteria or mastitis cannot always be detected in the mammary glands. In these circumstances, endotoxin could come from bacteria in the gut or endometritis (uterine infection). Hormonal factors have also been mentioned as a possible cause. Following parturition, a number of hormones may be depleted. Insulin, cortisone, and prolactin, as well as oxytocin, oestrogen, and progesterone, are hormones involved in breastfeeding, and alterations in their levels have been observed in pigs with agalactia. Oxytocin levels in these sows are frequently half of what they are in normal sows. Small amounts of endotoxin can drastically reduce prolactin levels, and inhibiting prostaglandin F2 alpha formation in the uterus (perhaps due to infection) might also reduce prolactin output. Less exercise, overfeeding, and poor hygiene all appear to predispose to the syndrome, and management and nutrition appear to be key in the aetiology.
Clinical signs
Within 12 hours to three days of parturition, the condition frequently develops. Inappetence is the most common symptom, followed by depression, restlessness when being suckled, and litter loss of condition. If mastitis is present, affected sows may have a mild temperature of 39.5-41°C. Only a single gland is mastitic in many situations. This disorder is commonly accompanied with vulval discharge and constipation, but none of these symptoms may be present. The illness lasts at least three days before it goes away on its own. It’s possible that the litter has vanished by this point. Delays in parturition (>5 hours) may precede the disorder, which might vary in severity. Depressed daily live weight growth in piglets (105 g/day, normal 125 g/day) may be the primary indicator of the problem in moderate cases of hypogalactia without mastitis or other aspects of the complex.Clinical symptoms, particularly inappetence in the sow and a drop in litter condition, are used to make the diagnosis. Diarrhoea, septicemia, or hypothermia can cause decreased milk intake and thus the litter should be inspected. A fever could be a sign of another illness (e.g. erysipelas). Retention of a foetus or placentae can be indicated by difficulty farrowing, tiny litters, or incomplete cleansing. Rapid respiration, a gloomy attitude, a lack of desire to eat or drink, fever, and a reluctance to move or enable nursing are some of the signs or symptoms noted in the sow or gilt. When newborn piglets appear to be in distress, it’s time to take a closer look at the sow. The sow or gilt’s mammary glands are more commonly implicated than any other body part. The amount of glands involved varies from one to the entire udder. When compared to the other glands, the affected mammary glands are frequently larger, firmer, warmer, more sensitive, and discoloured. The appearance of a purulent discharge (pus) from the birth canal does not always imply metritis in the sow or gilt. According to studies, more than 60% of clinically normal sows have a discharge. Lactation failure (agalactia) can occur as a primary condition or as a complication of another illness. The mammary gland tissues of the majority of affected animals will be aberrant. The basic mammogens—estrogens, progesterone, and prolactin—along with a variety of direct and indirect synergistic hormones—are required for the mammary glands to fully grow and secrete milk. To initiate and maintain lactation, each of these hormones must be present at the proper time and in the right amount. Anything that alters hormone levels, such as environmental stress, poor nutrition, bacterial endotoxins, or inappropriate preventative shots, can have an impact on lactation. All or all of the elements can play a role as contributors or stressors in the development of mastitis, the presence of enough endotoxin, or an endocrine (hormonal) imbalance that prevents proper mammary gland activity. Although it is unknown whether heredity plays a part in this disease, stress-sensitive and stress-resistant lines have been found, with susceptible lines having more agalactia issues than stress-resistant lines.
Treatment
Affected sows can be given tiny amounts of oxytocin on a daily basis, but this is not necessary if they are frequently suckled. When mastitis, metritis, or fever are present, antimicrobial treatment is recommended. Ampicillin, tetracyclines, trimethoprim sulphonamide, or enrofloxacin are some of the antibiotics that can be used. Anti-inflammatory medications like flunixin meglumine or corticosteroids can help to heal faster. Piglets should be fed artificially until the sow recovers, either through a stomach tube or by sucking another sow. When the sow’s body temperature reaches 39.4°C, treatment should begin 12-18 hours after farrowing. Feeding trimethoprim: sulphonamide at 15 mg/kg body weight or tetracyclines from day 112 of pregnancy to day 1 postpartum significantly reduces the disease’s occurrence. Injections of long-acting tetracycline administered one day before farrowing may be advantageous. Farrowing early as a result of prostaglandin use; hygiene; exercise of sows prior to farrowing and during the early stages of lactation; reduction of feed intake to 1 kg/day from 100 days’ gestation; and use of vegetable protein are all practises that appear to reduce the incidence or severity of the condition.
Conclusion
Mastitis, metritis, and agalactia (MMA) syndrome is a widespread pig disease with numerous etiologies that causes significant economic loss and high piglet mortality. E. coli, Streptococci sp, Staphylococci sp, and other infectious organisms are involved. Lack of exercise, endocrine variables, and toxic factors all have a role in the disease’s development. Anorexia, restlessness, inattentiveness to the piglets, fever, agalactia, and swelling of the mammary glands are among symptoms that appear between 12 and 48 hours after farrowing. Management of MMA can be solved by paying close attention to sanitation, as well as the sow’s exercise, nutrition, and bodily condition. Also, treatment can be done by use of antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory medications and other supportive care.
