The porcine intestinal distension syndrome (PIDS) is a major cause of sudden death in growing and finishing pigs. It affects apparently healthy animals in good body conformation and without prior evidence of gastrointestinal disease. PIDS presents as an acute intense abdominal distension with rapid evolution, leading to respiratory distress and death by asphyxiation within two hours. The pathogenesis is not fully understood, but there are a few hypotheses about risk factors associated with management, feed intake and type of feed offered to the pigs. In this review, the main predisposing factors for the occurrence of PIDS, its physiopathology and the proper diagnosis of this condition are discussed. Causes of sudden death must be properly assessed and risk factors must be determined for better effectiveness of diagnosis and mortality control.
intestinal distension; sudden death; porcine hemorrhagic bowel syndrome; swine; intestinal torsion
