A standardized protocol to investigate sow mortality

Scott D. Pretzer; Christa K. Irwin; Jerome O. Geiger; Steven C Henry

Pretzer SD. 2000;1:35-37 (sow mortality diagnostic form)

Figure 1: Sow mortality diagnostic form. From: Pretzer SD, Irwin CK, Geiger JO, et al. A standardized protocol to investigate sow mortality. Swine Health Prod. 2000;8(1):35-37.


      Farm name: ___________________

Date:      ___________________

      Study ID _______________


Sow ID: Farm sow tag ___________ Other tag _______________ Tattoo ___________________

[ ] Died      [ ] Euthanized

Autolysis: [ ] None/Mild    [ ]  Moderate   [ ] Severe

Parity: _________                Location: __________________

Dx comments:___________________________________________________________________


      Last significant event and date:

[ ] Mated ___________________

[ ] Farrowed ________________

[ ] Weaned ________________

[ ] Other ___________________

      Suspected cause of death:

[ ] Down/Musculoskeletal
[ ] Ulcer/GI
[ ] Reproductive
[ ] Respiratory
[ ] Neurologic
[ ] Sudden death
[ ] Other _______________

      Pictures
Frame   View

_____   _______________

_____   _______________

_____   _______________

_____   _______________

Refer to protocol for postmortem examination and tissue collection. Note any gross lesions, and sample margin of lesion if noted.

Tissues for collection:


      [] BF measured at 10th rib _________________(mm)
[] Skin _______________________________________
[] Lung ______________________________________
[] Left myocardial wall at papillary muscle________
[] Heart septum _______________________________
[] Mediastinal lymph nodes_____________________
[] Diaphragm (X sect) __________________________
[] Liver with bile duct __________________________
[] Spleen _____________________________________
[] Uterus __________ Retained pigs? _____________
[] Ovaries ____________________________________

[] Spine
[] CF joint(s)
[] Cardia of stomach: () normal  () keratinized
                      () eroded  () ulcerated

      [] Adrenal gland ________________________
[] Kidney ______________________________
[] Bladder ______________________________
[] Pancreas _____________________________
[] Mesenteric lymph nodes_______________
[] Ileum ________________________________
[] Longissimus m. (X sect.) ________________
[] Pectineous m. (X sect.) _________________
[] Tonsil ________________________________
[] Brainstem ____________________________
[] Spiral colon ___________________________

[] Other joints and feet in question

[] Other _________________________________