Pale Pig Syndrome (Navel Bleeding)

Navel Bleeding otherwise referred to as Pale Pig Syndrome occurs at birth or within a few hours after birthing. The piglet becomes extremely pale and, in many cases, dies. The condition arises in one of three ways:

1. Anoxia or shortage of oxygen inside the womb during furrowing causes the piglet to pool its blood into the placenta. If it is born and the cord separated at this point then it will be born very pale and anemic. This occurs when piglets are delivered by hysterectomy and they are removed from the womb at a critical time before the piglet has time to recall its blood from the placenta. Affected piglets are more likely to be from old sows and in large litters.
2. Pigs are sometimes born with a hemorrhage or a hematoma in the cord itself. The cause of this is unknown but in some cases it is related to premature removal of the piglet from behind the sow at furrowing. The blood vessels in the cord bleed.
3. Continual bleeding from the navel during the first 3 to 4 hours after birth.

Clinical signs

Fresh blood on the floor of the pen arising from the end of the navel is diagnostic.

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Treatment

Early recognition of a bleeding navel is essential. The cord should be clamped approximately 13mm from the skin using an umbilical clip. Those used for babies are ideal. If baby-specific clips are unavailable nylon or plastic ties used to bind together electrical wires are also good.

As an alternate and in an acute emergency, the navel can be tied in a knot. A ligature can be applied around the umbilicus but it shrinks and the bleeding often continues. The cord should be bent back on itself and re-tied in the shape of a “U”.

Management control and prevention

For some reason navel bleeding is associated with the use of wood shavings as bedding. The reasons for this are unknown but wood preservatives or other substances may be responsible. Change the shavings to an alternate source or use straw for bedding.

Warfarin poisoning can be responsible for hemorrhage.

Do not move pigs away from the sow immediately at furrowing. Allow the piglet to break the cord naturally. There is a particular part of the cord where separation takes place naturally without any hemorrhage. The navel cord is always slightly longer than the birth canal so that when the newborn piglet starts to rise and walk the cord is stretched breaks and recoils to block the blood vessels. It should not be cut.

Lastly do not allow excessive trauma to the cord within 3 hours of birth. This may occur if too many piglets are fastened in the creep area.