Installation of an information feedback system for control of animal health - frequency and economical effects of organ lesions in slaughter pigs

At a Styrian abattoir 6,250 finishers from 96 swineherds belonging to a qua lity meat programme were examined concerning pathoanatomical changes of org an lesions. For this study plucks and carcasses were used. The results show ed, that 47.5 % of the slaughter pigs displayed milkspots in the liver, 83. 3 % pneumonia, 26.3 % pleurisy, 16.8 % perihepatitis, 8.8 % mange, 2.6 % pe ricarditis and 1.2 % arthritis. From birth to carcass weight the daily weig ht gain of the pigs was 441.1 g and the average of lean meat was 58.2 %. The average daily weight gain of slaughtered pigs was significantly lower i n case of perihepatitis (-9.8 g), severe pneumonia (-39.4 g), enzootic pneu monia (-11.1 g), slight pleurisy (-10.4 g), moderate pleurisy (-9.8 g), sev ere pleurisy (-23.4 g), mange (-15.3 g) and adhesive pleuropneumonia (-32.8 g). The high prevalence of pathological lesions in pigs at slaughter stresses t he importance of introducing a routine information feed-back-system for vet erinarians and pork producers as well.