Day 4: Tail Docking 101

Today, in CASE Animal Science, students became the veterinarian for the day.  When a piglet is born, there are many steps that must be taken to ensure they start their journey in life as happy and healthy animals.  Agriculturalists who raise pigs understand that it is imperative to keep animals happy, safe, and well-cared for in order to raise the highest quality product.  Incorporating the hands-on, real-life, pig experience enhances the relevancy and rigor that is already prevalent through the CASE Curriculum at Cumberland Valley High School.

Those critical steps include, but are not limited to:

1. Umbilical Cord Care
2. Iron Supplement Injections
3. Tail Docking
4. Needle Teeth (Wolf Teeth) Nipping
5. Ear Notching
6. Castration (for the males)

Peaches and two of her piglets

Recapping events from this weekend: All 14 piglets were given a 0.5 mL (cc) injection of iron on Saturday, Feb. 23.  Why?  Well, when piglets are born they are typically anemic.  To help combat anemia, piglets are given an intramuscular injection of iron to boost the amount in their body.  On Saturday evening, one of the male piglets died due to suspected internal bleeding from being stepped on by Peaches. 

In class today, we did a brief necropsy of the dead piglet.  Students did a visual inspection of the piglet's external appearance.  Indications of internal bleeding were evident via skin coloration and bruising.

  

Bruising in the groin area

Bruising on the lower back - suspected impact point

After inspecting the deceased piglet, we went to the Maternity Ward to dock the tails of the remaining 13 piglets.  

Why do pork producers dock tails?

Tail docking is done to prevent issues later in a pig's life.  Essentially, it is done to improve the welfare and quality of life by preventing tail biting.  Tail biting may lead to infections of the spine, pain, and even condemnation of the carcass when an animal is harvested for human consumption.  

Today's procedure was simple and the students were engaged in this common veterinary practice.  

Steps our classroom procedure were was follows:

1. Sanitize the SHARP scissors with rubbing alcohol
2. Prepare the tail with an iodine solution
3. Snip 1 1/2 inches off the tip of the tail
4. Cleanse the wound with iodine solution
5. Sanitize the SHARP scissors and prepare for the next piglet

This was a relatively quick process and bleeding is minimal.  The procedure takes roughly 30 seconds per piglet - maximum.  As with all creatures - especially mammals - it is very important to proceed with any 'traumatic' veterinary practice during the first few days of life to minimize pain and discomfort. 

Tomorrow, we will clip the needle teeth in the CASE Animal Science II course.

Monday Funday!

Ever hear of 'Pig Chase?'   Click the video below to learn more!

Check out this Huffington Post article:  

'Pig Chase': A Pig And Human Game App Intended to Improve Pig Farming Conditions

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