Presence of sharp foreign bodies in the viscera of pigs in Cajamarca, Peru

Torres J.; Hobán C.; Oblitas F.; Zambrano H. · Revista de Investigaciones Veterinarias del Peru (2025) · DOI: 10.15381/rivep.v36i1.27604

Resumen

The study aimed to determine and identify the presence of sharp objects in the viscera of pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) inspected postmortem at the municipal slaughterhouse in Cajamarca, Peru. Through macroscopic observation, palpation and incision, the viscera of slaughtered pigs were evaluated for four months (from October 2019 to January 2020). In total, 6308 viscera were examined, and 64 sharp objects were found in the viscera of 46 animals (0.73 ± 0.21%). The stomach had the highest presence of sharp objects (38.71 ± 9.90%), followed by the liver (21.51 ± 8.35%) and lungs (9.68 ± 6.01%). The most common objects found were metal wires (37.50 ± 11.86%), toothpicks (26.56 ± 10.82%) and small metal sewing needles (12.50 ± 8.18%). Backyard and extensive home-based pig farming in Cajamarca, as well as lack of attention to care, hygiene and food safety, may contribute to the presence of sharp objects in pig viscera. © Los autores.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca