Bites on the mammary gland - Atlas of swine pathology

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Possible causes: Other

Bites on the sow's mammary gland. Lesions normally caused by laceration from the piglets' teeth when suckling. This does not occur in all litters, but when it does appear it is necessary to cut or file the piglets' teeth. Such a lesion can end up developing dermal abscesses and pyrogranulomatous lesions, in many cases caused by A. pyogenes and S. aureus. Mastitis can cause dysgalactia in the injured mammary glands; therefore, it can affect weight gain and immune status in the piglets, which in turn can lead to lower economic gains for the farm.