Читать книгу Veterinary Treatment of Pigs - Graham R Duncanson - Страница 109

Examination of large pigs is not easy as they resent handling. Pigs need to be kept out of arks to examine them (Fig. 3.1). Quietness is vital for auscultation of the heart, lungs and abdomen. This is difficult to attain in most situations. Patience will allow palpation of the abdomen, mammary glands, limbs and feet. Rectal temperature is extremely useful in the pig. Reference levels for the clinical examination are given in Table 3.1.

The lack of hair allows a good examination of the skin, particularly in white pigs. This is obviously helpful for actual skin disease. It is also helpful with the diagnosis of many systemic diseases either because these diseases have specific signs on the skin, e.g. erysipelas, or because there are changes of colour of the skin, e.g. cyanosis in PRRS (‘blue ear disease’).