Meghann K. Pierdon, VMD, DACAW

Ceballos, M. C., Rocha G?is, K. C., Parsons, T. D., & Pierdon, M. K. (2021). Impact of Duration of Farrowing Crate Closure on Physical Indicators of Sow Welfare and Piglet Mortality. Animals, 11(4), 969. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11040969

Horback, K., McVey, C., & Pierdon, M.* (2021). Association patterns across multiple gestation cycles within a dynamic sow pen. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 242, 105426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105426

Berry, A. S. F., Pierdon, M. K., Misic, A. M., Sullivan, M. C., O’Brien, K., Chen, Y., Murray, S. J., Ramharack, L. A., Baldassano, R. N., Parsons, T. D., & Beiting, D. P. (2021). Remodeling of the maternal gut microbiome during pregnancy is shaped by parity. Microbiome, 9(1), 146. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-021-01089-8

Gaab, T., Nogay, E., & Pierdon, M. K.* (2022). Development and Progression of Shoulder Lesions and Their Influence on Sow Behavior. Animals, 12(3), 224. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030224

Gaab, T., Wright, M., & Pierdon, M. K.* (2022). Behavioral and Physiological Response to Routine Thermal Disbudding in Dairy Calves Treated with Transdermal Flunixin Meglumine. Animals, 12(5), 533. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050533

Engiles, J. B., Fanzone, N., Wulster, K. B., Schumacher, J., & Pierdon, M. K.* (2022). Gross, histopathologic, microbiologic, and radiologic characterization of lesions associated with clinical lameness in a cohort of group-housed sows euthanized for lameness. Veterinary Pathology, 59(6), 960–972. https://doi.org/10.1177/03009858221114470

Kranz, V. A., Horback, K. M., Parsons, T. D., & Pierdon, M. K.* (2022). Sow behavior during introduction to a large dynamic group is influenced by familiarity and method. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 250, 105624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105624

Hallowell, A., & Pierdon, M. K.* (2022). Effects of lameness on productivity and longevity for sows in pen. Journal of Swine Health and Production, 30(4), 223–229. https://doi.org/10.54846/jshap/1271

Pierdon, M. K.*, & Berdahl, S. E. (2023). Effect of Topical Spray Containing Lidocaine on Piglet Behaviour Post castration. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 26(2), 195–204. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2021.1946397

Smith, K. C., & Pierdon, M. K.* (2023). Impact of mechanical vs. Manual catching on stress, fear, and carcass quality in slower growing broilers. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 28(2), 222–229. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2023.2254226

Smith, K. C., & Pierdon, M. K.* (2024). Utilization of enrichment objects by growing pigs in a commercial facility and the impact on behavior and skin lesions. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 272, 106181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106181

Davison, S., Tracy, L., Kelly, D. J., Bender, S. J., Pierdon, M. K., Mills, J., Barnhart, D. J., Licciardello, S., Anis, E. A. M., Wallner-Pendleton, E., Dunn, P., Robinson, C., Ladman, B., & Kuchipudi, S. V. (2024). Infectious Coryza in Pennsylvania. Avian Diseases, 68(3). https://doi.org/10.1637/aviandiseases-D-23-00073

Pierdon M. K., Prown R., Davison S., Kelly D., Redding L. (2025). A Case Control Survey of Farm Characteristics, Biosecurity Measures, and Risk Events in Flocks With and Without Infectious Coryza. Avian Diseases, 68(S1):398-403. https://doi.org/10.1637/aviandiseases-D-24-00009

Senatra, K., Gaab, T., & Pierdon, M. K.* (2025). Ergotism in an organic sow herd and the impact on lactation performance and subsequent reproductive performance. Journal of Swine Health and Production, 33(2), 62–68. https://doi.org/10.54846/jshap/1408

Drake, M. J., Pierdon, M. K., DeMers, G., Daniel, S. G., Bittinger, K., & Redding, L. E. (2025). The effect of dietary zinc on the microbiome and resistome of the gestating sow and neonatal piglets. Animal Microbiome, 7(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-025-00435-7

Smith, K.C., Kelly, D.J. & Pierdon, M.K.(2026). Surveillance for Avibacterium paragallinarum in commercial layer hens and wild waterfowl. Discov Anim 3, 12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44338-026-00169-z

• Lameness in sows and growing pigs: pathology, risk factors, and interventions
• Practical methods for pain mitigation in swine
• GIS to improve biosecurity and mitigate disease risk in pigs and poultry
• Understanding the epidemiology of disease in animal production systems
• The role of the microbiome in welfare challenges from broiler footpad lesions to piglet health

Reporting where disease occurs is important and is the main function of the Pennsylvania Regional Control Program. It is also important to go beyond the map. Coordinated diagnostic testing, custom reporting, and using outbreak information and geography to understand disease risk are the critical next steps to mitigating the risk of disease and possibly even disease elimination.

To improve animal welfare for animals under human care, new scientific research is important, but so is education. A new generation of welfare specialists will need a strong foundation in the science of animal welfare as well as the current challenges to animal welfare. The Animal Welfare and Behavior master’s degree at Penn Vet is program that is designed to create those animal welfare professionals and facilitate substantive change for animals.