Investigating risk factors behind piglet facial and sow teat lesions through a literature review and a survey on teeth reduction
Introduction:Piglet facial and sow teat lesions are the main reported reasons why pig producers routinely practice teeth resection. This is a painful procedure performed on piglets, where their needle teeth are clipped or ground to resect the pointed tip. The practice raises welfare concerns. In con...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.909401/full |
| _version_ | 1798014118116982784 |
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| author | Jen-Yun Chou Jen-Yun Chou Jen-Yun Chou Jeremy N. Marchant Elena Nalon Thuy T. T. Huynh Heleen A. van de Weerd Laura A. Boyle Sarah H. Ison |
| author_facet | Jen-Yun Chou Jen-Yun Chou Jen-Yun Chou Jeremy N. Marchant Elena Nalon Thuy T. T. Huynh Heleen A. van de Weerd Laura A. Boyle Sarah H. Ison |
| author_sort | Jen-Yun Chou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction:Piglet facial and sow teat lesions are the main reported reasons why pig producers routinely practice teeth resection. This is a painful procedure performed on piglets, where their needle teeth are clipped or ground to resect the pointed tip. The practice raises welfare concerns. In contrast to other procedures, such as tail docking, we know little about the risk factors for these two types of lesions.MethodsWe employed two methods to answer these questions: (1) reviewing the literature to identify potential risk factors, and (2) surveying pig production stakeholders worldwide to identify the occurrence of these lesions and the strategies used in practice that enable pig producers to manage or prevent these lesions while avoiding teeth resection. For the literature review, we used Google Scholar to include peer-reviewed publications and gray literature. We distributed the survey using convenience sampling and documented information on the current situation regarding teeth resection, including the methods, frequencies, and reasons for resecting piglets' teeth, the occurrence of piglet facial and sow teat lesions, and measures used to prevent and control these lesions.ResultsThe literature review identified six major risk factors for both lesions, including the presence or absence of teeth resection, housing system, litter size, piglet management, environmental enrichment, milk production and other piglet management practices. However, most studies focused on the effects of the first two factors with very few studies investigating the other risk factors. There were 75 responses to the survey from 17 countries. The survey showed that half of the respondents practiced teeth resection with many recognizing that facial and teat lesions are the main reasons behind this practice. However, many producers used other interventions rather than teeth resection to prevent these lesions. These interventions focused on improving milk production of the sow, managing large litters, and providing environmental enrichment.DiscussionMore research is needed to validate these interventions and more science-based advice is needed to bridge the gap between research and practice to help more producers further understand the cause of piglet facial and sow teat lesions to transition toward the cessation of routine teeth resection. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T15:13:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-21e1249a3e1948a1a8aa285fceae7495 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T15:13:31Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-21e1249a3e1948a1a8aa285fceae74952022-12-22T04:16:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692022-12-01910.3389/fvets.2022.909401909401Investigating risk factors behind piglet facial and sow teat lesions through a literature review and a survey on teeth reductionJen-Yun Chou0Jen-Yun Chou1Jen-Yun Chou2Jeremy N. Marchant3Elena Nalon4Thuy T. T. Huynh5Heleen A. van de Weerd6Laura A. Boyle7Sarah H. Ison8Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Fermoy, IrelandInstitute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Clinical Studies, Swine Teaching and Research Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesUnited States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Livestock Behavior Research Unit, West Lafayette, IN, United StatesEurogroup for Animals, Brussels, BelgiumFarm Technology, Department of Biosystems Engineering, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, NetherlandsCerebrus Associates Ltd., Godalming, United KingdomPig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Fermoy, IrelandWorld Animal Protection International, London, United KingdomIntroduction:Piglet facial and sow teat lesions are the main reported reasons why pig producers routinely practice teeth resection. This is a painful procedure performed on piglets, where their needle teeth are clipped or ground to resect the pointed tip. The practice raises welfare concerns. In contrast to other procedures, such as tail docking, we know little about the risk factors for these two types of lesions.MethodsWe employed two methods to answer these questions: (1) reviewing the literature to identify potential risk factors, and (2) surveying pig production stakeholders worldwide to identify the occurrence of these lesions and the strategies used in practice that enable pig producers to manage or prevent these lesions while avoiding teeth resection. For the literature review, we used Google Scholar to include peer-reviewed publications and gray literature. We distributed the survey using convenience sampling and documented information on the current situation regarding teeth resection, including the methods, frequencies, and reasons for resecting piglets' teeth, the occurrence of piglet facial and sow teat lesions, and measures used to prevent and control these lesions.ResultsThe literature review identified six major risk factors for both lesions, including the presence or absence of teeth resection, housing system, litter size, piglet management, environmental enrichment, milk production and other piglet management practices. However, most studies focused on the effects of the first two factors with very few studies investigating the other risk factors. There were 75 responses to the survey from 17 countries. The survey showed that half of the respondents practiced teeth resection with many recognizing that facial and teat lesions are the main reasons behind this practice. However, many producers used other interventions rather than teeth resection to prevent these lesions. These interventions focused on improving milk production of the sow, managing large litters, and providing environmental enrichment.DiscussionMore research is needed to validate these interventions and more science-based advice is needed to bridge the gap between research and practice to help more producers further understand the cause of piglet facial and sow teat lesions to transition toward the cessation of routine teeth resection.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.909401/fullpig welfarepainful procedurepig healthudder woundskin lacerationteat fight |
| spellingShingle | Jen-Yun Chou Jen-Yun Chou Jen-Yun Chou Jeremy N. Marchant Elena Nalon Thuy T. T. Huynh Heleen A. van de Weerd Laura A. Boyle Sarah H. Ison Investigating risk factors behind piglet facial and sow teat lesions through a literature review and a survey on teeth reduction Frontiers in Veterinary Science pig welfare painful procedure pig health udder wound skin laceration teat fight |
| title | Investigating risk factors behind piglet facial and sow teat lesions through a literature review and a survey on teeth reduction |
| title_full | Investigating risk factors behind piglet facial and sow teat lesions through a literature review and a survey on teeth reduction |
| title_fullStr | Investigating risk factors behind piglet facial and sow teat lesions through a literature review and a survey on teeth reduction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating risk factors behind piglet facial and sow teat lesions through a literature review and a survey on teeth reduction |
| title_short | Investigating risk factors behind piglet facial and sow teat lesions through a literature review and a survey on teeth reduction |
| title_sort | investigating risk factors behind piglet facial and sow teat lesions through a literature review and a survey on teeth reduction |
| topic | pig welfare painful procedure pig health udder wound skin laceration teat fight |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.909401/full |
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