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15/02/2013 | Head (porcine)
3

Earless pig

The inspectors wanted to rule out an infectious process causing such lesions. The farm veterinarian said the piglets started with lesions at the tip or base of the ear.

These findings are suggestive of a case of necrosis of the tip of the ears which progressed and finally ended in necrosis of the entire pinna. Usually cannibalism phenomena occur amongs piglets when initial lesions appear. If it had been something infectious which caused  cyanosis and subsequent necrosis, usually lesions would be bilateral and often other signs and lesions would have been observed. It seems likely that there was an initial lesion (trauma or cannibalism) and subsequent cannibalism, but at slaughter only a scar can be observed. Anyway, a congenital malformation is ruled out.

The necrotic ear syndrome (or ulcerative spirochetosi of the the pinna) has been described which begins with a skin lesion that could be infected with Staphylococcus hyicus initially and with more virulent spirochetes or streptochoccus. Lesions by Sarcoptes scabiei could also start the process.
Up to 80% of the animals in a penn coud be affected with unilateral or bilateral necrotic lesions wich, if extensive,  may end up with complete disappearance of the pinna.

A number of pigs on the same farm were missing one or both ears.

A number of pigs on the same farm were missing one or both ears.

Tissue sections were performed under the scar (two arrows to the left) at the site of the ear. It was observed that the auditory canal (an arrow on the right) was still present, although quite deep.

Tissue sections were performed under the scar (two arrows to the left) at the site of the ear. It was observed that the auditory canal (an arrow on the right) was still present, although quite deep.

It is a relatively common finding. Image of another case previously received from the same slaughterhouse.

It is a relatively common finding. Image of another case previously received from the same slaughterhouse.

Three pigs at different stages of necrotic ear syndrome. Image taken on farms.

Three pigs at different stages of necrotic ear syndrome. Image taken on farms.



3 comment(s)


  1. SESC
    23/02/2013

    And the discussion goes on:

    I agree with banding and removal of the ear in hematoma cases. When left untreated it develops painful infection causing the pig to go off feed and in some cases fallout of the group. I have seen lancing (opening the wound for draining) and that is painful and introduces a new route of infection. I do believe if you are seeing a large number of these in a flow to go back and evaluate piglet handling in farrowing or early nursery.

  2. SESC
    20/02/2013

    Again from LinkedIn a Hog producer backs this comment up:

    As a hog producer I can attest to the previous comment, Our Vet advised removal of the affected ear with an elastrator band. I do not like to do it either but it seems to be the only effective method of dealing with the hematoma. I have tried draining the fluid that collects in the ear but it just continues to collect.

  3. SESC
    19/02/2013

    Interesting comment from Pork Indutry LinkedIn group:

    With ear necrosis, I would expect that there would be some bilateral loss of both ears. I have never seen it go beyond half of the ear. A more likely etiology would be an aural hematoma. Many people band these with a rubber band at the base of the ear which results in total loss of the ear and thus a scar like you describe. I personally do not like this treatment as I believe it is extremely painful for a couple of days but it is a common treatment.

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