Common Health Concerns and Diseases of Transitional Swine.

Sean Eastman, DVMDirector of Field Services

Clemson Livestock Poultry Health

Introduction

v Regardless of how pigs are raised, they are inherently at risk for disease.v Pigs raised outside, on the ground, are commonly referred to as “Transitional Swine”.

vHave a higher risk for exposure to certain diseases and conditions compared to total confinement swine.

Introduction (continued)v Become acquainted with a veterinarian willing to treat swine, and employ him/her in the diagnosis and treatment of sick pigs, and in the development of a herd health plan.v Further reading and conversations with your veterinarian are encouraged.v Communication is the key in helping your veterinarian help you.

Various Conditions

v Temperature Extremes:v Cold: Production will often decline as the body requires more energy to maintain appropriate body temperature.

v Young pigs are most at risk for hypothermia.v Heat: Pigs experiencing heat stress will often be inactive, and have reduced feed intake.

v Effects include reproductive maladies, sunburn, among other conditions.

Various Conditions (cont.)

v Temperature Management:v For cold weather, shelter that provides protection from wind, rain, and snow should be provided. v Absorbent bedding to offer insulation.v For hot weather, adequate shade should be provided, shelter should have adequate ventilation, as well as access to shallow mud pits to provide cooling. v Can also use fan sprinklers to provide cooling.

Photosensitization

v Occurs when pigs are exposed to photodynamic agents, which intensify the effects of the sunlight.

v Present is pharmaceuticals (Tetracyclines and Sulfonimides)v Plants (St. John’s wort, rape)

v Pigs will appear severely sunburnt. vSkin will become thickened, itchy, and sometimes slough or fall off.

Injuryv Poorly maintained housing, fencing, and equipment, such as fences, feeders, & waterers can cause penetrating or cutting wounds.v Pastured pigs are also susceptible to predation from animals such as foxes, coyotes, raptors, and dogs. v Also at risk from fighting amongst themselves.

v Important to know that any open wound can become a source of infection!

Parasitesv Because of environmental exposure, transitional swine have an increased risk for Parasitic infection.v Can negatively affect productivity in boars and sows.v Consult your veterinarian for help in developing a parasite control program.

Parasitesv Scabies

vSarcoptic Mange, caused by a mite. v Extreme Itchinessv Crusting around eyesv Thickened, reddened, scaly skin, & hair loss v Substantial losses in growth and feed efficiency

Parasitesv Gastrointestinal Parasites

v There are many. Main route of transmission is fecal/oral.v Important to provide appropriate manure management.v For brevity, we’ll discuss Roundworms, Whipworms, and Lungworms.

Parasitesv Roundworms (Ascaris suum):

v Ingested in the fecesv Larvae migrate through the gut wall to the liverv “Milk Spots” seen at processingv Severe liver disease can occurv Can migrate to the lungs & cause pneumoniav Most pigs become naturally resistant around 6 months of age.

Parasitesv Whipworms (Trichuris suis):

v Ingested in fecesv Embeds itself in the intestinal wallv Develop diarrhea that contains blood and mucousv Will often stunt growthv Severe infestation can cause death

Parasitesv Lungworms (Metostrongylus spp.):

v Ingested in fecesv Infected pigs cough up eggs, swallow them, then pass them in the manurev Once in the lungs, they can cause pneumonia, and possible secondary bacterial infection

Causes of Diarrheav Important health concern for all groups of pigsv Many causesv Depending on the cause, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories may need to be administered under the guidance of a veterinarian.v Reporting age group, % of sick pigs, characteristics of diarrhea, can help the veterinarian narrow down potential causes.

Causes of DiarrheaCommon Causes Age Group Clinical signs

E. coli <5 days watery diarrhea, edemaClostridium Preweaning bloody diarrhea, sudden death

TGE All age groups vomiting, diarrhea, mortalityPED All age groups vomiting, diarrhea, mortality

Proliferative Ileitis Grow/Finish tarry diarrhea, sudden deathSwine Dysentery Grow/Finish bloody diarrhea, 100% morbiditySalmonellosis Grow/Finish fever, diarrhea, variable signs

OtherErysipelas

v Caused by a bacteriav Affects all swinev Outdoor pigs at increased riskv Red, diamond-shaped lesions on skinv Chronic signs = arthritis, heart infection, sloughing of the skin

So let’s talk about Prevention…v Vaccinations:

v Consultation with a veterinarian that is knowledgeable in swine diseases is helpful with developing a swine vaccination program.

v Producers should vaccinate their pigs to prevent or decrease economic loss from infectious diseases. v Paying 25 to 50 cents per dose of vaccine is much better than ending up with a $200 dead pig.

Vaccinationsv There are a multitude of vaccination options.

v Single disease vaccinesv Multiple disease combos

v Most economical

v Several brands from different companies, which adds to the confusion of which one to use.v Utilizing your veterinarian’s knowledge on which vaccines to give at what time in production is vitally important to your herd health plan.

VaccinationsOverview of vaccinations

Piglet to MarketAge Vaccination1-3 days Iron injection

7 days Atrophic RhinitsErysipelas

Mycoplasma pneumonia

VaccinationsAge Vaccination

4 weeks Booster AR,Erysipelas & Mycoplasma1st Actinobacilluspleuropneumonia

4-10 weeks Deworm (after weaning)10-12 weeks Booster APP

Vaccinationsv Very important to develop a relationship with your veterinarian to tailor a vaccination program specific to your situation.

v There are different protocols for Gilts and Breeding sows, so advice from your veterinarian is important.

Conclusionv Important to remember that outdoor pigs may be more susceptible to diseases than indoor pigs.v To ensure good health, production and welfare, it is vital to develop good Biosecurity to protect the herd.v Work with your veterinarian to develop a plan for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control.

Conclusionv When a pig requires treatment, it is vitally important keep good records!v Obey all withdrawal periods for ALL medications administered, whether it is dewormers, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatories.

Questions?