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RESTING
RECTAL TEMPERATURE OF VIETNAMESE POTBELLIED PIGS - Page 1 BY: LINDA K. LORD, DVM, MS; THOMAS E. WITTUM, PH.D.; DAVID E ANDERSON, DVM, MS; DALE RIFFLE; SARAH L LATHROP, DVM, PH.D.; MARGARET A LAUDERDALE, MS JAVMA, VOL. 215, NO. 3, AUGUST 1, 1999 Scientific Reports: Original Study |
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Objective: To determine resting rectal temperatures of Vietnamese potbellied pigs. Design: Prospective clinical trial. Procedure: Rectal temperatures of the potbellied pigs on a farm were measured during the morning, afternoon, and evening. Rectal temperatures at the time of initial examination were obtained from medical records for the potbellied pigs examined at the hospital. Results: Mean rectal temperatures for both groups of potbellied pigs were the same. Overall unadjusted mean +/- SD rectal temperature was 37.6 +/- 0.8C (99.7 +/- 1.5F; range, 35.1 to 39.6 C [95.2 to 103.3 F] ). However, diurnal variation in rectal temperature was found among the farm population of potbellied pigs. After adjustment for age and repeated sampling, rectal temperatures recorded during the morning were found to be significantly lower than temperatures recorded during the evening (mean difference, 0.4C [0.7F] ). There was a significant inverse linear relationship between age and rectal temperature. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Rectal temperatures of Vietnamese potbellied pigs may be lower than the lower limit of the reference range reported for domestic pigs. Because of diurnal variation in rectal temperatures, it is important to compare temperatures obtained at the same time of day where assessing patients. (J AM Vet Med Assoc 1999;215:342-344) Vietnamese potbellied pigs were first introduced into the United States as companion animals in 1985. These animals have gained popularity as pets although accurate estimates of the number of potbellied pigs in the United States are not available. Because these exotic pigs are the same species as domestic pigs (Sus scrofa), veterinarians commonly use reference ranges for domestic pigs when interpreting results of physiologic and hematologic tests preformed on potbellied pigs. Article continued in next column. From the Departments of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (Lord, Wittum, Lathrop, Lauderdale) and Veterinary Clinical Sciences (Anderson), College of Veterinary Medicine. The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210: and PIGS Inc, PO box 629, Charles Town, WV 25414 (Riffle). Dr. Lord's present address is Suburban Veterinary Clinic, 102 E Spring Valley Rd., Dayton, Ohio 45458. The authors thank Jim Brewer and Susie Coston for technical assistance. Address correspondence to Dr. Anderson. |
The reference range for rectal temperature of adult domestic pigs has been reported to be 38.6 to 39.7C (101.5 to 103.5 F). (1-3) However, our clinical experience has indicated that rectal temperatures of healthy adult potbellied pigs undergoing routine physical examination often are lower than this range. Thus, we believe that potbellied pigs may have lower rectal temperatures than do domestic pigs. The purposes of the study reported here were to determine resting rectal temperatures of Vietnamese potbellied pigs and to determine whether there was any diurnal variation in rectal temperatures of Vietnamese potbellied pigs. Materials and Methods: Pigs - Two populations of potbellied pigs were included in the study: One (farm population) consisted of potbellied pigs living on a single farm in Charles Town, WV. The farm operated as a nonprofit sanctuary for unwanted potbellied pigs, and had received potbellied pigs from throughout the United States. Pigs were grouped into herds on the farm on the basis of size and temperament. Herds were housed in barns or small sheds with orchard grass hay for bedding. All pigs were fed a commercial swine finisher diet. All pigs on the farm were neutered. The other population of potbellied pigs (hospital population) included in the study consisted of healthy potbellied pigs examined at the Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital during 1997 for routine veterinary care such as hoof trimming, tusk trimming, castration, or ovario-hysterectomy. Rectal temperature at the time of initial examination, age, and sex were recorded, along with rectal temperature and age of these pigs during any previous hospital visits for routine veterinary care. Procedures: Rectal temperatures of the farm potbellied pigs were measured Sept. 12 and 13, 1997, using 3 digital thermometers. Prior to the study, the digital thermometers were tested in a controlled-temperature water bath and found to provide temperature readings within 0.06C (0.12F) of each other. On days that rectal temperatures were measured, ambient temperature ranged from 15.0 to 25.6 C (59 and 78.1 F) and relative humidity ranged from 45 to 83%; there was no precipitation, but skies were predominantly overcast. |
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