Torsion and Volvulus

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Torsions of the stomach and/or the intestines around the dorsoventral axis of the mesentery occur sporadically in pigs. Affected animals die quickly without any warning, and will appear pale and bloat very rapidly after death. There is no single, proven cause. Factors believed to contribute to torsions include: rapid ingestion of a large amount of feed or water (as with once per day feeding), overly crowded pens with associated piling and competition for feeder space, use of highly fermentable ration ingredients that produce excessive amounts of gas in the stomach or colon, and advanced pregnancy. Torsion of stomach seems more prevalent in sows that become agitated during once daily feeding. Torsion of intestine and/or colon must be differentiated from hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS).