Mammary edema - Atlas of swine pathology

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Possible causes: Postpartum Agalactia Syndrome

Mammary edema is the distension by extravasation of liquids of the mammary gland of the sow. It often begins in the posterior glands, which are more difficult to access, between the back legs of the sow.

As the process progresses, if the excess milk is not removed, the pressure increases in the udder and can damage the secretory cells, limiting milk production. As cell damage increases, and bacteria produce endotoxins, the sow suffers from MMA syndrome (mastitis, metritis and agalactia). At this point, aside from a hot, congested, and painful udder, the sow can lose her appetite, become apathetic and the piglets in her litter end up suffering the consequences.