A field study of coliform mastitis in sows.

Three sows with agalactia and mastitis were compared with 3 normally lactating sows at 8, 16, 24, and 32 hours postpartum. Bacteriologic examination of milk resulted in isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae or Escherichia coli from affected glands of all 3 agalactic sows. Milk from clinically normal glands of affected sows and from glands of normal sows was culture-negative for coliforms. Affected sows had higher rectal temperatures and lower milk yields, and pigs from affected sows had lower mean weights, but these differences were not significant. Mean total white blood cell counts and plasma protein to fibrinogen ratios were lower in mastitic sows at all 4 periods; differences were significant at certain periods in both cases. Evidence indicated that leukopenia appeared early, 8 to 16 hours postpartum, and was followed by increasing plasma fibrinogen content. Packed cell volumes and plasma concentrations of corticoid, estrone, and estradiol did not differ. Plasma progesterone content was higher in mastitic sows at all periods, but the differences were not significant.