Stillborn Diagnosis

It is important to differentiate between those animals which are stillborn and those who died with pre-weaning mortality

Mummified piglet are obviously piglets which have died	Pre-partum stillborns can be easily recognized if partially autolysed, as shown.	Fresher piglets are more difficult, check the opacity of the cornea. Freshly dead (less than 24 hours) the cornea will still be clear
A stillborn piglet will be wet with a long wet umbilical cord	Check the feet for ‘slippers’ which protect the uterus from the sharp piglet’s nails	A piglet will rub off their slippers in about 15 minutes
		Stillborn Breathed
Meconium will be present on the skin, in the mouth, trachea and stomach. The meconium is the feaces in the unborn piglet’s large bowel, passed when they go anoxic	The stomach will only contain fluid with some meconium, there will be no milk or colostrum	A stillborn piglet’s lung will sink in water, whereas if the piglet breathed, its lungs will float
		Remember to check for the obvious – stillborn piglets will not be ear notched or tattooed. It will not have umbilical clips etc
Even ‘obviously’ stillborn piglets may be born alive	Stillborn piglet with the umbilical cord around its neck