The effect of ketoprofen on post-partum behaviour in sows

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled trial was conducted in order to estimate pain-related behavioural changes of sows in early lactation. Ketoprofen (MET) was used (3 mg/kg BW) intramuscularly for three consecutive days post-partum (p.p.) on 19 sows. Nineteen sows were used as a control group and they received sodium chloride as placebo (PLAC). All 38 sows were videotaped for 3 days p.p., in total of 6 ha day for behavioural analysis. Percentages, bout lengths and numbers of occasions were calculated from four different body postures (standing, lateral and sternal lying and lying udder towards piglet area, UTP) and active head movements. Numbers of all nursings and percentages of unsuccessful and sow terminated nursings were calculated. Feeding and drinking were observed as numbers of occasions. Differences between treatments (MET and PLAC) and parities (young, parity 2-3 and old, parity 4-9) were analyzed with repeated measures mixed models. No treatment effect was detected on any measured parameter. Interactions between treatment and parity were found for position changes, standing, feeding, drinking and UTP (P < 0.05 for all). Young MET sows presented more position changes than young PLAC sows (29.3 +/- 3.0 vs. 20.1 +/- 3.0, P = 0.04) and more standing bouts than old MET ones (2.6 +/- 0.4 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.4, P = 0.03). Young MET sows had more UTP bouts than PLAC peers (4.1 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.3 +/- 0.4, P = 0.05). Old MET sows drunk less often than PLAC peers (0.6 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.3, P < 0.01) but young MET sows ate more often than old KET sows (23 +/- 0.4 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.3, P = 0.01). Young sows in general appeared more active and they were changing position more frequently than old MET sows. In conclusion, lying passively may be one of the signs of pain after farrowing in young sows and when treated with ketoprofen, they exhibit increase of movement. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.