The Effects of Lutalyse on Pigs
Lutalyse is the brand name for dinoprost tromethamine, a drug used by veterinarians for farm animals. The sterile solution allows the veterinarian to provide different treatments to cattle, milk cows, swine or pigs and horses. A pig farmer prefers to cycle the pregnancy of his pigs so the sows all give birth at the same time. Lutalyse is a drug that helps induce labor.
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Form
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Lutalyse comes in a white crystalline form that dissolves in water. The solution can be delivered in the swine intravenously or by injecting the solution directly into the sow's amniotic fluid. Veterinarians often inject 5 to 10 milligrams of the drug into the muscle tissue and allow the drug to slowly induce labor.
Use
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Most states only allow veterinarians access to this drug. Lutalyse is a highly controlled substance because of the danger it poses to humans. A sow that is within three days of the predicted delivery date is injected with Lutalyse and she will give birth within the next 30 hours. However, each sow reacts differently to the treatment.
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Side Effects
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According to Allivet, research was conducted in a clinical setting on the swine after injection of the Lutalyse. Observations were made and records were kept after several different sows were intramuscularly injected with 10, 30, 50 and 100 mg of Lutalyse. The study showed that there were no side effects detrimental to the pregnant sows or the piglets. The piglets also showed normal growth after the Lutalyse was used to induce the labor of their mother.
Managing
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Pig farmers must manage the cycling of their sows so Lutalyse can be administered properly. Since Lutalyse must be injected at a specific time in the pregnancy of sows, the pig farmer must monitor and record many aspects of the pregnancy. Pig farmers must record the average length of the pregnancy from conception to birth. Knowing the conception date helps the veterinarian estimate the delivery date. The delivery date must be known in order to inject the Lutalyse at the right time. Premature Lutalyse injection causes the sow to birth early, creating premature piglets, which can easily die.
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References
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