Urinary tract infections: A silent but serious problem for sows and their progeny

Medication is commonly used in swine production to maintain the health status of animals and ensure optimal production performance targets are met. But with increasingly strict restrictions on the use of medication being implemented, alternative strategies must be adopted.

It is widely accepted that the best performing animals are those that get a good start in life. But the thinking now includes one step earlier in the lifecycle: the sow, and her health during gestation and farrowing. This article investigates the impact of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the sow during gestation, and how preventing them can promote piglet health and performance.

Stricter restrictions

Worldwide restrictions on medication use in swine production to help combat the rise of antimicrobial resistance has been a constantly evolving situation over the last two decades with tighter restrictions being implemented over time. Given the limited tools currently available in the market to safeguard piglets during their early weeks of life, it is crucial to explore alternative strategies beyond medications including therapeutic zinc oxide (ZnO). Other factors that could potentially impact piglet robustness, quality, and overall performance must be considered.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest on maternal influence, and research has demonstrated that the health of the sow during gestation, particularly around farrowing, colostrum offset and lactation, can significantly impact the success of her progeny.

Infection of the microbiome

The sow’s microbiome can act as a reservoir of infection which may lead to antimicrobial resistance transfer to her progeny. It is estimated that sows will be treated with at least one antimicrobial ingredient for an average of 3.2 days/year (Hemme et al., 2018). One of the primary reasons for antimicrobial usage is in the treatment of UTIs. Urinary tract infections can significantly impact the health and productivity of sows. Unfortunately, UTIs are often difficult to detect as they may not display any visible symptoms. Specific tests are required for diagnosis which means cases are frequently overlooked or underestimated.

UTIs in sows

Urinary tract infections are more common in older sows compared to younger ones, with the farrowing unit being particularly affected. During the transition period, significant physiological changes occur, weakening the sow's immune system and reducing protection against pathogens. Among the physiological changes are weakness of the vaginal muscle, and concentration of the urine to retain water leading to less urination. In addition, sows in farrowing crates have limited space for movement, increasing their risk of exposure to fecal matter and bacteria, raising the incidence of UTIs.

Signs of UTIs

Signs that sows are suffering with a UTI may include:

• Insufficient milk production
• Postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS)
• High fever
• Yellowish discharge from the uterus
• Weight loss
• Sickness
• Death in severe cases

Urinary tract infections can cause discomfort and pain in sows, resulting in reduced feed intake, weight loss and poorer milk production, leading to reduced colostrum quantity and quality for piglets.

Piglets rely on sow milk for nutrition and disease protection during the early stages of life. Reduced milk production and poor colostrum quality will negatively impact piglet health and robustness. Producers must implement measures to prevent and treat UTIs in sows as part of an overall strategy to promote the health and welfare of both sows and piglets.