Table 1 Effects of the means of death (found dead vs. euthanized) on characteristics of the animals and pre-mortem circumstances in 65 sows found dead or euthanized on 15 Finnish farms
From: Pathological findings in spontaneously dead and euthanized sows – a descriptive study
Found dead, n = 27 | Euthanized, n = 38 | Test and significance | |
|---|---|---|---|
Parity, median (min–max) | 2 (0–9) | 3 (0–10) | p > 0.1, T-test |
Age, median (min-max) | 621 days (330–1823) | 643 days (340–1938) | p > 0.1, T-test |
Body condition score, average (std. dev.) | 2.9 (0.79) | 2.5 (0.92) | p = 0.047 T-test |
Weight, average (std. dev.) | 244 kg (52.8, n = 24) | 219 kg (52.4, n = 28) | p > 0.1, T-test |
Last event before death, n (%a) | |||
Insemination | 19 (70%) | 13 (34%) | |
Farrowing | 6 (22%) | 15 (39%) | |
Weaning | 2 (7%) | 10 (26%) | |
Last place of residence, n (%a) | |||
Group housing | 15 (56%) | 17 (45%) | |
Gestation stallb | 2 (7%) | 1 (3%) | |
Farrowing pen | 10 (37%) | 20 (53%) | |
Clinical signs < 30 days before death, n (%a) | |||
Yes | 14 (52%) | 38 (100%) | p < 0.001, x2-test |
No | 13 (48%) | 0 | |
Medically treated for sickness < 30 days before death, n (%a) | |||
Yes | 10 (37%) | 24 (63%) | p = 0.04, x2-test |
No | 17 (63%) | 14 (37%) | |