Infrared Thermography, Behaviour and Performance Evaluation of Piglets after Meloxicam Administration in Pre Castration Procedure

Castration procedure is a painful method which reduces welfare and could reduce performance. Some trials demonstrated that meloxicam prior castration procedure in piglets could reduce acute pain decreasing behaviors relates to a lack of welfare. Any study using infrared thermography (IT) was found to evaluate the inflammatory process after castration procedure in piglets. This study aimed to evaluate inflammatory process using IT associated with behavior and performance in piglets treated or not with meloxicam 30 minutes before castration.

This trial was done in a commercial pig farm located at São Paulo State (Brazil). Ninety three (93) piglets were used from 21 sows (parity order 3.8±1.3) divided in 2 groups. Group 1 control (C) (n=46) were administered 0.1ml of saline solution and group 2 0.1ml of meloxicam (M) (n=47), (0,4mg/kg PV) (Maxicam® 2%, Ourofino Saúde Animal, Brazil). Both groups had an intramuscularly administration 30 minutes before castration. Infrared thermography (Flir T-450sc, FLIR® Systems, Inc.) was taken 3 times. The first (IT1) was took before castration (0h), second (IT2) 24h after castration and third (IT3) 48h after castration. All pictures were taken in the same position, scrotal area parallel to IT, in a distance of 0,40m. Behavior was analyzed 3 times, 0h, 24h and 48h after castration, with 10 minutes in each evaluation. Behavior evaluation included scratch (S) and tail wagging (TW). All piglets were randomly selected, identified, matched by similar weight and weighted individually 2 times, 0h and 48h after castration to evaluate average daily gain (ADG). Piglets were categorized in light (2.4–2.999kg) and heavy (3–4kg). All statistical analyses were done by SAS software. ADG and IT was analyzed by GLM model and behavior by FREQ procedure.

There was no statistical significance for ADG and IT between C and M groups. Behavior showed statistical difference (P< 0.05) in light piglets with higher frequency in TW in C than M group at 24h (81.48% x 54.83%, respectively – p< 0.03) and 48h (81.48% x 51.61%, respectively – p< 0.01).

Although IT evaluation couldn’t demonstrate a difference in inflammatory process in both groups, M showed better welfare behavior than C group, which indicates an anti-inflammatory action. Probably by the large amount of liquid due to edema at 24h in scrotal area incision, it was not possible to capture the temperature difference between groups. Further studies need to be done using IT in different moments to better associate inflammatory procedure with meloxicam effect, which in this study had a directly influence in behavior.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared.