What is a major risk associated with porcine stress syndrome?

Porcine stress syndrome (PSS) is a genetic condition commonly found in pigs that can lead to severe physiological responses during stress. One of the significant risks associated with PSS is a rapid increase in body temperature, known as malignant hyperthermia. This condition occurs when the muscle cells of pigs with PSS release excessive amounts of calcium, leading to increased metabolic activity, a rise in body temperature, and potentially fatal consequences if not managed promptly.

Understanding the implications of PSS is critical, especially in veterinary medicine and animal handling. The sudden rise in temperature can lead to severe physiological stress, metabolic derangements, and can even be life-threatening if not recognized and treated quickly. This makes the rapid temperature increase the primary concern with porcine stress syndrome, highlighting the need for awareness and preparedness when dealing with pigs that may be at risk for this syndrome.

In contrast to this, excessive bleeding, prolonged sedation, and severe dehydration, while important considerations in veterinary care, are not directly synonymous with the hallmark characteristics and risks presented by porcine stress syndrome.