Excessive Drinking Water Affects Pigs

There are four ways in which pigs discharge water: the exhalation of the lungs, the loss of skin evaporation, the discharge of the digestive tract with the feces, and the urination of the kidneys.

Under normal circumstances, the water that the pig drinks into the body is first excreted through urine and sweat, and the amount of water in the body is regulated so that the level of specific chemicals such as salts in the blood is balanced.

If the pig drinks too much water, eventually the kidneys cannot quickly remove excess water from the body, the blood will be diluted, and the concentration of salt in the blood will be reduced. This will cause the water to move from the diluted blood to the cells and organs that have less water, and this will cause swelling and edema of the corresponding organs, which will cause "water intoxication" symptoms. The lighter ones will have less frequent urine, frequent red urine, lower body temperature, quicker breathing, and increased abdominal circumference; severe appetite will be eliminated, vomiting, faeces will be thin, and the limbs will be unable to swim, muscle spasm or even death. Generally occurs in pigs more than 6 hours of water shortage, long-distance transport and lack of water, hot summer after drinking water shortage.