Correlations of Prepartum Body Temperature and Postpartum Fever of Sows with Vulvovaginal Discharge: a Case Report

In a large pig breeding unit, sows suffering from prepartum vulvovaginal discharge were selected (n = 159) for the trial. Rectal temperatures were recorded daily on days 110-113 of pregnancy and during the first 3 days post partum. Fifty-two sows (group one) had higher than 39.0 C (39.3 0.3 SE C), 107 sows (group two) had lower than 39.0 C (38.6 0.2 SE C) "three days average prepartal rectal temperatures". While all sows in group one developed postparturient fever (40.5 0.2 SE C), only 19 of 107 (17.8%) sows with lower prepartum temperatures had postparturient fever (P < 0.001).