Evaluation of the prevalence of stomach ulcers in slaughtered pigs in a Swiss ­abattoir

Abstract

The development of gastric ulcers in pigs has various reasons. In Switzerland, the last survey on the prevalence of gastric ulcers and possible risk factors was performed in 2005. We aimed to reassess gastric ulcers prevalence today, in 2021. A total of 1005 stomachs from fattening pigs from 136 batches and around 87 herds were evaluated at a Swiss abattoir. The Pars oesophagea of the stomach was scored from 0=healthy to 10=severe ulceration and strictures. Scores were compared between pigs produced under the labels “Integrierte Produktion Schweiz” (IPS, n=242 stomachs, 18 farms) and “Qualitätsmanagement-Schweizerfleisch” (QM, n=649, 58 farms) and others (n=114). The results showed a prevalence of 27.2% mild mucosal changes (Scores 1-3), 14.9% moderate mucosal changes (Scores 4-6) and 19.1% severe mucosal changes (Scores 7-10). Only 38.8% of the stomachs were rated 0 and thus considered healthy. Compared to the results from 2005, there is no difference concerning the lowest scores (0-2) and the highest scores (9-10). However, there was a shift from the medium scores (3-4) to higher scores (5-8). Stomach scores turned out to be herd specific. There were differences (p < 0.01) between labels, indicating that IPS pigs had less affected stomachs. Stomachs that were empty at slaughter showed higher scores (p < 0.001). The mean carcass weight of the pigs in the slaughter groups was negatively correlated (p < 0.05) to their median stomach score. Confiscations were not related to stomach scores. The results suggest that pig stomach health has not improved since 2005. The differences between labels seem to have resulted from different regulations prescribing a minimum particle size of enrichment material in IPS. The reasons for gastric ulcer development, including those on the individual herd within label, still have to be further clarified in order to allow targeted countermeasures. Given apparent farm-specificity, scoring of a limited number of stomachs per farm during the slaughter process could facilitate to establish a feedback scheme.