The efficacy, feasibility, and welfare implications of using a needle-free injection device (NFID) compared to needle-syringe intra-muscular (IM) injection of meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and iron dextran in nursing piglets, at the time of piglet processing, will be evaluated.
The use of NFIDs has been suggested to reduce the aversive experience associated with vaccination in weaned piglets. However, no previous studies have investigated the implications of using NFIDs for NSAID and iron dextran administration to nursing piglets.
If efficacy and welfare benefit is confirmed, the project would encourage adoption of NFIDs on-farm and inform best production practices related to piglet processing. The investigation of whether ID administration of these drugs using NFIDs alters their action and efficacy is critical before industry implementation and addresses Ontario Pork’s research objective of “testing improvements to swine industry practices” by investigating an alternative and potentially improved method of NSAID and iron administration to nursing piglets.
Additionally, the use of an NFID at processing would reduce the hazards associated with IM injection, including broken needles and needle fragments in pork products, pain and disease transfer associated with using, and reusing, needles between piglets, needle-stick injuries to humans, and biohazardous waste production.
The investigation of the use of NFID technology and its impact on animal welfare, along with the potential to support a more industry-wide adoption of needless technology in nursing piglets, will demonstrate the industry’s commitment to optimizing production practices to improve animal welfare and subsequently support the resiliency of the industry.
