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The median concentrations of APPs were higher (P < 0.01) in bitten (CRP 617.5 mg/L, range 80.5–969.9; SAA 128.0 mg/L, 6.2–774.4; Hp 2.8 g/L, 1.6–3.5) than in control pigs (CRP 65.7 mg/L, 28.4–180.4; SAA 6.2 mg/L, 6.2–21.4; Hp 1.2 g/L, 0.9–1.5). There was a tendency for APP concentrations to rise with the histopathological score but the differences were only statistically significant between some of the scores. Five (42%) bitten cases and one (8%) control pig had partial carcass condemnations owing to abscesses (P = 0.07). The results show that tail biting induces an inflammatory response in the tail end leading to an acute phase response and formation of carcass abscesses.
M. Heinonen, T. Orro, T. Kokkonen, C. Munsterhjelm, O. Peltoniemi and A. Valros. Tail biting induces a strong acute phase response and tail-end inflammation in finishing pigs. The Veterinary Journal. Vol. 184 (3): 303-307.
