Prevalence of gastro-oesophageal ulcers in grower-finisher pigs in the Northern Province of South Africa

Abstract

Ulceration of the gastric pars oesophagea is a common problem in intensive pig production that is often detected at slaughter. A survey was carried out at the Pietersburg abattoir in the Northern Province during a 6-month period. In total, 4320 pig stomachs were examined. Gastro-oesophageal ulcers were observed in 5.1 % of the stomachs, gastric erosion in 15.2 %, and hyperkeratosis in 18.9 %. Time of slaughter was found to affect the prevalence of gastric lesions in the pig.