Postnatal teeth procedures affect the weight gain and welfare of piglets

Objective. We carried out this study to evaluate weight gain (WG), mortality, blood serum proteins (BP), facial lesions of littermates submitted to different teeth procedures. Material and Methods. The experiment was performed in a commercial breeding farm. Were used 15 sows, allotted into three groups: control, where piglets' teeth were kept intact (IT); teeth clipping (CT); and teeth grinding using an electric grinder (GT). We evaluated WG, BS (five males/litter), mortality, low viable piglets rates and facial lesions in piglets. Additionally, we evaluated sows' backfat thickness (P2) and teat lesion score. BP data, lesion score and WG were assessed individually. For WG, the initial weight and the litter size were used as covariates. Regarding other variables, we used the average of the litter. When there were differences, the means were compared using Duncan test (p<0.05). Results. In the first week, GT piglets presented higher WG. In the second week, CT presented worst WG. In the first two weeks as in the total period, CT piglets presented worse WG than the GT. Mortality and low viable piglets rates were not influenced. After the fourth day, CT and GT treatment reduced facial lesions. There was no effect on BP. Treatments did not influence P2 and teat lesion score. Conclusions. Treatments did not have influence on mortality, low viable rates, BP of the piglets and P2 and teat lesions score. CT treatment decreased weight gain and IT increased face lesions score.