264 (ABHWB)
Evaluating changes to lying and standing in lame sows administered flunixin meglumine
Lameness in breeding swine has a large negative economic impact and is a welfare concern. In the US, flunixin meglumine (FM) is labeled for the control of pyrexia associated with swine respiratory disease. Pain-related behavior, such as postural changes can inform evaluation of presence and severity of pain. The objective of this work was to determine the effects of FM on postural changes in lame sows. Lameness was induced in mature sows (241.4 ± 15.5 kg) using a chemical synovitis model. Two treatments were compared: FM (2.2 mg/kg; n=24) and sterile saline (S; n=24), administered IM 24 and 48 h after lameness induction. Behavioral data was collected in the home pen during 12 h periods (0600-1800) using two 12 V color Close Circuit Television (CCTV) Panasonic cameras. Postures were quantified using 15 min scan sampling methods by two observers, on the day prior to (-24h) through +168 h post lameness induction and analyzed using PROC Glimmix of SAS. There were no observed differences in behaviors between treatment groups -24h prior to lameness induction and 24-29h after lameness induction (Pre-treatment). Differences were observed for lying lateral (LL), lying sternal (LS) and standing (ST) behavioral postures when comparing baseline data to +24 h post lameness induction regardless of treatment (P < 0.001). Flunixin treated sows demonstrated a lower probability of LL between 30-36h (Flunixin: 51% ± 0.02; Saline: 66% ± 0.02) and 53-60h (Flunixin: 46% ± 0.02; Saline: 53%± 0.02) compared to saline treated sows (P < 0.02). Flunixin treated sows also demonstrated a greater probability of ST between 30-36h (Flunixin: 14% ± 0.01; Saline: 8% ± 0.01) and 53-60h (Flunixin: 16% ± 0.01; Saline: 11% ± 0.01) compared to saline treated sows (P < 0.001). However, +168 h post induction, saline treated sows performed more ST (Flunixin: 23% ± 0.01 Saline: 28% ± 0.01; P < 0.004). Flunixin treated sows demonstrated a greater probability of LS between 30-36 h (Flunixin: 21% ± 0.02; Saline: 14% ± 0.02; P< 0.001), but saline treated sows demonstrated a greater probability of LS after 53 hours post lameness induction (Flunixin: 18-19% ± 0.02; Saline: 22-25% ± 0.02; P< 0.01). Although further research is needed to determine if these postures correlate with pain sensitivity and lameness, our research suggests that behavioral evaluation may be an effective and economic way to evaluate lameness on farm and assess drug therapy.
Keywords: Flunixin meglumine, Lameness, analgesia Pain, Sows