Physiological and nonphysiological indicators of body condition score in weaner pigs.
The aim of this study was to identify parameters that may be used as objective measures of wellbeing in weaner pigs on farm. Eighty-six weaner pigs were categorized into 3 groups based on their BCS: very compromised (VC, BCS = 1), moderately compromised (MC, BCS = 2), or healthy (HY, BCS ≥ 3). Nonphysiological and physiological measures were then collected from the pigs. Nonphysiological measures included 3 subjective binary scores that assessed the activity, hairiness, and responsiveness of each pig. Physiological measures included rectal temperature, skin temperature, and 11 blood-based parameters. Each physiological measure was assessed in a ternary manner, with pigs being classed as being above, below, or within the normal physiological range. Fisher’s exact tests (FET) were used to identify differences between the numbers of pigs in each BCS category for each variable, and ANOVA of physiological measures was also conducted. Correlations between all variables were also conducted. The FET results identified significant differences for 8 of the measures, with activity, hairiness, responsiveness, rectal temperature, and blood concentrations of glucose, creatinine kinase (CK), albumin, and globulin all differing significantly (all P < 0.05) according to category. Rectal temperature, glucose, and globulin concentrations were significantly different in ANOVA analyses. Of these measures, there were significant correlations between hairiness, rectal temperature, and glucose (all R > 0.30 and P < 0.05). Based on these results, rectal temperature, glucose, and hairiness all warrant further investigation as simple to apply, on-farm measures that can be used in conjunction with body condition and subjective assessment to aid management decisions on pig welfare.
Managing animal wellbeing: a preliminary survey of pig farmers.
OBJECTIVES
To gather information on producers' perceptions and management strategies towards the detection, alleviation of pain and management of sick, injured and heat-stressed pigs.


METHODS
A total of 16 Victorian pig farmers completed a face-to-face questionnaire consisting of 9 open and 26 closed questions regarding their detection and management of sick, injured and heat-stressed pigs and their perceptions of pigs' tolerance to pain.


RESULTS
We identified 15 behavioural and physiological indicators of pain and heat stress. Treatment records were kept more often for weaned progeny and lactating sows than for piglets and mated sows. Most producers felt that pigs suffered little pain from routine husbandry procedures and that pain relief was not warranted in those situations. Castration at 10 days of age was the only procedure considered by producers to be very painful. There were inconsistencies in approaches to treating pigs in three case studies of animals with sickness or injury of varying severity. Meloxicam was stated as the most common anti-inflammatory drug used on-farm. A small proportion of farmers incorrectly identified antibiotics as anti-inflammatory drugs. All producers had at least one cooling system in place for preventing heat stress in pigs.


CONCLUSIONS
The farmers in this survey group generally relied on behavioural changes in pigs to signal pain and heat stress. Although producers kept treatment records and used hospital pens for compromised pigs, our results suggest that the monitoring of pigs' recovery could be improved. Producers generally have a good understanding of the use of anti-inflammatory drugs to aid recovery of pigs.
A feasibility study of adolescent sex education: medical students as peer educators in Edinburgh schools
Objectives To determine the feasibility of medical students being involved in sex education in secondary schools, as lesson leaders in peer group discussions.