The osmolality of caecal contents in piglets following weaning

Authors: Hampson DJ
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 35, Issue 3, pp 35-36, Mar 1987
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Pig, Production animal
Subject Terms: Abdomen, Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Antibiotics, Treatment/therapy, Bacterial, Disease/defect, Growth/development, Physiology
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Pigs weaned for five days had caecal contents with significantly lower osmolalities than thoseof unweaned animals of the same age. Supplementation of a standard weaning diet with therapeutic levels of oxytetracycline to suppress the normal large intestinal microbial flora did not significantly further reduce osmolarity of caecal contents after weaning. This observation suggests that microbial activity in the large intestine may not be sufficiently developed by five days after weaning to have a major influence on absorptive processes at that site. Incomplete development of the large intestinal microflora may be one more factor which acts to predispose the young pig to diarrhoea after weaning.

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