Torsion of the stomach and the intestines

Torsion of the stomach or of the small intestine is common and causes sudden death.

Alternative names: Twisted gut

Torsion of the stomach or of the small intestine is a common cause of sudden death in growing pigs, and it often affects the best pigs of the group. It also occurs in sows and occasionally in piglets. It may involve the stomach, spleen, part of the liver or intestine. 

Sows 

• Swollen abdomen.
• Sudden death. Usually 2-3 hours after eating.
• Anemia.
• Bluish skin.

Nursing piglets

• Rare.

Transition and fattening stage

• Normally no symptoms, besides sudden deaths.
• A very distended abdomen.
• Animals are very pale.

The cause is not entirely clear, but it is thought to be caused by:

• Consuming too much wet feed.
• Experiencing stress just before eating.
• Abnormal carbohydrate fermentation and presence of gases in the small or large intestine.
• Consumption of large amounts of feed.
• Overfeeding and abnormal fermentation in the small and large intestine resulting in excessive gas production, increasing pressure and torsion.

A necropsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis. Small and large intestine are very congested and full of blood. The intestinal tract of the pig is suspended from a common point, giving the tract a tendency to rotate and get twisted. 

• None because the condition is very sporadic and the cause is not clear.
• Change feeding program as well as feed ingredients if this situation becomes a problem.