Abstract:

Esophagogastric ulcer in finishing pigs from twelve large multi-site herds in southeastern Spain, 1995-2000: Descriptive epidemiology

Guillermo Ramis, DVM, PhD; Serafín Gómez, DVM, PhD; Monica Ballesta; Antonio Muñoz, DVM, PhD

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Objective: To describe mortality due to esophagogastric ulcers over time in pigs from 12 herds in southeastern Spain in which this was the main cause of death until the emergence of postweaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS).

Methods: All animals (nursery to finisher) that died during 1995 to 2000 were necropsied. The database of necropsy results was analyzed for morbidity trends using classical time series analyses. Total mortality and mortality due to chronic wasting and pneumonia were included because of their possible relationships with gastric ulcers. Age at death in 1998, 1999, and 2000 was analyzed for trends.

Results: A seasonal distribution in total mortality was observed, with highest mortality occurring during winter months and lowest during summer months. Mortality due to gastric ulcers was also higher in winter months. Over the study period, mortality due to gastric ulcers declined while mortality due to chronic wasting increased. No change was observed in average age at death due to gastric ulcer. In contrast, a slight reduction (P < .001) was observed in average age at death due to total mortality and chronic wasting in 2000 compared to 1998 and 1999.

Implications: In this study, gastric ulcer mortality and occurrence of respiratory diseases were greatest during winter and lowest during early summer, suggesting a relationship between these conditions. Average age at death due to gastric ulcer was 120 to 121 days. Emergence of PMWS was not associated with an increase in gastric ulcer mortality.

Keywords: esophagogastric ulcer, epidemiology, seasonality

RIS citationCite as: Ramis G, Gómez S, Ballesta M, et al. Esophagogastric ulcer in finishing pigs from twelve large multi-site herds in southeastern Spain, 1995-2000: Descriptive epidemiology. J Swine Health Prod 2006;14(1):18-24.

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