Bleeding skin lesions in gestating sows of a piglet producing farm in Austria
Abstract Background Stomoxys calcitrans, the stable fly, occurs in pig producing countries worldwide. While in cattle the impact of this blood sucking insect is quite well described, its role in pig production is poorly investigated. Here we describe a case of a massive stable fly overpopulation in...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Porcine Health Management |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-023-00348-4 |
| _version_ | 1827707588259610624 |
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| author | Lukas Schwarz Flora Hamar Tanja Bernreiter-Hofer Igor Loncaric Mirjam Arnold Thomas Voglmayr Andrea Ladinig |
| author_facet | Lukas Schwarz Flora Hamar Tanja Bernreiter-Hofer Igor Loncaric Mirjam Arnold Thomas Voglmayr Andrea Ladinig |
| author_sort | Lukas Schwarz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Stomoxys calcitrans, the stable fly, occurs in pig producing countries worldwide. While in cattle the impact of this blood sucking insect is quite well described, its role in pig production is poorly investigated. Here we describe a case of a massive stable fly overpopulation in the gestation unit of a piglet producing farm in Austria that resulted in bleeding skin lesions in bitten sows. Case Presentation In October 2021, the responsible herd veterinarian of the case farm reported of sows in the gestation area presenting with bloody crusts on the whole skin surface of the body and of bleeding skin lesions. 33/55 sows were affected by moderate to severe skin lesions. Reproductive performance decreased during the time of massive stable fly overpopulation. Sows in the gestation unit showed defensive behaviour and at a certain time point resigned and accepted being bitten by stable flies. After controlling the fly population, reproductive performance improved and even exceeded the performance before the massive overgrowth of the stable fly population. Conclusions Stable flies are a serious harm to pigs and should be kept in mind for improved animal health and welfare. Knowledge about the determination of Stomoxys calcitrans and early recognition of an increasing stable fly population in pig farming systems followed by proper insect control measures have to be performed to reduce losses caused by this harming insect. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:50:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-512324e675204c70a45de30492774395 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-5660 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:50:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Porcine Health Management |
| spelling | doaj.art-512324e675204c70a45de304927743952023-11-20T11:19:13ZengBMCPorcine Health Management2055-56602023-11-01911810.1186/s40813-023-00348-4Bleeding skin lesions in gestating sows of a piglet producing farm in AustriaLukas Schwarz0Flora Hamar1Tanja Bernreiter-Hofer2Igor Loncaric3Mirjam Arnold4Thomas Voglmayr5Andrea Ladinig6University Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine ViennaUniversity Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine ViennaUniversity Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine ViennaInstitute of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine ViennaClinic for Swine, Department for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of BernTraunkreis Vet ClinicUniversity Clinic for Swine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine ViennaAbstract Background Stomoxys calcitrans, the stable fly, occurs in pig producing countries worldwide. While in cattle the impact of this blood sucking insect is quite well described, its role in pig production is poorly investigated. Here we describe a case of a massive stable fly overpopulation in the gestation unit of a piglet producing farm in Austria that resulted in bleeding skin lesions in bitten sows. Case Presentation In October 2021, the responsible herd veterinarian of the case farm reported of sows in the gestation area presenting with bloody crusts on the whole skin surface of the body and of bleeding skin lesions. 33/55 sows were affected by moderate to severe skin lesions. Reproductive performance decreased during the time of massive stable fly overpopulation. Sows in the gestation unit showed defensive behaviour and at a certain time point resigned and accepted being bitten by stable flies. After controlling the fly population, reproductive performance improved and even exceeded the performance before the massive overgrowth of the stable fly population. Conclusions Stable flies are a serious harm to pigs and should be kept in mind for improved animal health and welfare. Knowledge about the determination of Stomoxys calcitrans and early recognition of an increasing stable fly population in pig farming systems followed by proper insect control measures have to be performed to reduce losses caused by this harming insect.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-023-00348-4Stomoxys calcitransStable flyFly control |
| spellingShingle | Lukas Schwarz Flora Hamar Tanja Bernreiter-Hofer Igor Loncaric Mirjam Arnold Thomas Voglmayr Andrea Ladinig Bleeding skin lesions in gestating sows of a piglet producing farm in Austria Porcine Health Management Stomoxys calcitrans Stable fly Fly control |
| title | Bleeding skin lesions in gestating sows of a piglet producing farm in Austria |
| title_full | Bleeding skin lesions in gestating sows of a piglet producing farm in Austria |
| title_fullStr | Bleeding skin lesions in gestating sows of a piglet producing farm in Austria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bleeding skin lesions in gestating sows of a piglet producing farm in Austria |
| title_short | Bleeding skin lesions in gestating sows of a piglet producing farm in Austria |
| title_sort | bleeding skin lesions in gestating sows of a piglet producing farm in austria |
| topic | Stomoxys calcitrans Stable fly Fly control |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-023-00348-4 |
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