Agalactia - Atlas of swine pathology

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Possible causes: Postpartum Agalactia Syndrome

Failure of udder tissue developement. Agalactia describes a shortage of milk supply in an otherwise healthy lactating animal. It is relatively uncommon as a primary condition but common as a sequel to extensive oedema of the udder and mastitis. It is also seen in older sows where hormone outputs are reduced. The diagnosis is based upon the appearance of the litter showing starvation and the udder which lacks milk and is "drying up”. There are several causes such as old age, excess body condition, water shortage, and poor environmental conditions, to name a few.

Differential diagnosis must include mammary gland tumours and udder oedema.