Table 2 How to use the cotton swab method: A five-step protocol
From: The cotton swab method: an accurate and less invasive way to assess fecal consistency in weaned pigs
Step | Description |
|---|---|
1 | Hold the cotton swab, leaving approximately 25–30 mm of stick between the cotton tip and your pinched fingers |
2 | Slowly insert the cotton swab 25–30 mm into the rectum of the pig, i.e., corresponding to where you hold the swab |
3 | Tilt the swab slightly at a 10–15° angle to the cranio-caudal axis of the rectum. Rotate the swab three times clockwise around the cranio-caudal axis of the rectum at this angle. Thereafter, rotate the swab three times counter-clockwise at a 10–15° angle. Do not roll the swab around its own axis/between your pinched fingers |
4 | Retract the swab from the rectum |
5 | Assess the fecal consistency as it appears on the cotton swab immediately (within five seconds). If the pig defecates in response to the procedure, the fecal consistency of the delivered fecal sample should be taken into consideration in your assessment |