Original scientific paper
THE BEHAVIOUR OF WEANED PIGS INFECTED WITH ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI STRAIN IN THE FIRST 24 HOURS
Boris Krsnik
; Zavod za animalnu higijenu, okoliš i etologiju, Veterinarski fakultet Zagreb, Republika Hrvatska
Rayane Yammine
; Zavod za animalnu higijenu, okoliš i etologiju, Veterinarski fakultet Zagreb, Republika Hrvatska
Željko Pavičić
; Zavod za animalnu higijenu, okoliš i etologiju, Veterinarski fakultet Zagreb, Republika Hrvatska
Tomislav Balenović
; Zavod za stočarstvo, Veterinarski fakultet, Zagreb, Republika Hrvatska
Abstract
The behaviour of 7 weaned piglets, cross-breeds Swedish Landrace x Large White, was monitored. All piglets were provided from a single breed. They were divided into two groups – the experimental and the control group. The piglets in the experimental group received intragastrically 10¹⁰ CFU of an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain, while the control group received pure medium only. The piglets were kept under controlled microclimatic conditions. The frequencies and durations of the following behavioral patterns were monitored and noted down, by the method of direct observation: eating, drinking, lying, standing, urinating, defecating, rooting, playing, biting objects and running. The obtained data were statistically analysed. The behavioral differences between the experimental and the control group were then compared applying the t-test. Significant differences between the experimental and the control group were found in frequency and duration of lying and standing behaviour, while the analysis of the other behavioral patterns didn't reveal any significant differences. The differences in lying and standing behaviour could be attributed to a process initiated by the applied E. coli strain, which is also substantiated by increased lymphocyte reactivity and thickened, moderately damaged small intestine mucosis.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
163937
URI
Publication date:
23.9.1995.
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