Hints concerning the dosage of Glauber's salt for breeding sows
Lindemann, D.E.G.; Bollwahn, W.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 102(2): 73-75
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 7600940 Document Number: 446264
Feeding a laxative such as sodium sulphate before parturition is often reported as an effective MMA prophylaxis. In this study pigs were treated with different doses of Na2SO4. Consistency variations of faeces were monitored by recording the dry matter contents. To provoke a significant increase in faecal water content 0.6 g Glauber's salt per kg bodyweight was successful in unconstipated sows. It is suggested that the increased fluid content of the faeces causes increased colon volume which leads to increased distension stimuli and therefore increased peristalsis. Even with restricted feeding (1 kg per sow and day) accelerated discharge of faeces is possible instead of constipation. 15 g sodium sulphate per sow (about 0.07 g/kg) is recorded as an underdose causing increases in faecal dry matter or even obstipation.