Growing pigs Flashcards
What are the aims/challenges of the finishing period?
- Maximise growth
- Maximise efficiency
- Huge balancing process based on: genetics, feed, housing, health
- Needs monitoring in order to fine tune
What factors are finishing pigs assessed on?
- Carcass weight
- Grading – amount of back fat.
- Condemnations
- Growth rates
- Feed consumption
What factors must pigs meet to be considered fit to travel?
- Pigs must be able to load and unload themselves
- Pigs must be able to support their weight on all four legs
- Pigs must have no open wounds
Which 3 specific groups are excluded from travel
Piglets <3wks
Sows <1wk farrowed
Sows > 100d in pig
List the conditions assessed for in abattoir monitoring which determine if a carcass is fit for human consumption
Enzootic Pneumonia -like Lesions
Pleurisy
Pericarditis
Peritonitis
Milk Spot
Hepatic Scarring
Papular Dermatitis
Tail Damage
Viral-type Pneumonia
Pleuropneumonia-like
Abscess
Pyaemia
What is the most common cause of lung retention in the carcass
Pleurisy
Describe the presentation of Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex in the finishing period
Often starts in weaner period, but can be finishing only
Multiple triggers and pathogens involved
Classic clinical signs = Coughing, sneezing, dyspneoa, cyanosis, pyrexia
What are the impacts of Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex on production?
Decreased intake, reduced growth, loss of condition, low level mortality
Which 7 diseases are involved in the porcine respiratory disease complex?
Enzootic Pneumonia
Glasser’s Disease
PCV-2 +/- PMWS
PRRS
Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia (APP)
Pasteurella multocida
Swine Influenza
Describe the acute features of the porcine respiratory disease complex?
- Lasts 2-15wks
- Increased mortality 3-15% post weaning
- Increased number of days to bacon
Describe the chronic features of the porcine respiratory disease complex?
- Lasts forever
- Increased mortality 2-10% post weaning
- Increased number of days to bacon
Name the agent that causes enzootic pneumoniae
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
Describe the pathophysiology of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Enzootic pneumonia)
- 6-8 weeks incubation
- Slow action of pathology interstitial pneumonia & bronchiolar cuffing
- Mucocilliary escalator damage
- Secondary infection often occurs
- Decreased growth due to immune challenge and healing
Describe the changes seen on PME/slaughter of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Enzootic pneumonia)
- Dependent lobes end up consolidated with pneumonia - apical, cardiac, cranial region of diaphragmatic and the accessory lobes.
- Lungs are dark purple, solid, loss of architecture
- Dependent on secondary infection, overlying pleurisy can also be present
How is Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Enzootic pneumonia) diagnosed?
EP-like lesions grossly, histopathology, PCR (culture is possible, but difficult)
How is Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Enzootic pneumonia) treated/controlled?
- Treatment with antibiotics:
- Individual, water and via the feed all work well
- Tetracyclines – macrolides – pleuromutilins (TMPS has some effect) - Vaccination strategy is important - various different programmes
- Full depop-repop – all animals off site and new herd brought in
- Partial medicated depop (move the most susceptible animals off site, vaccination, hygiene and medication - depends on planning it correctly!)
Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome damaged which cells in the body?
Alveolar macrophages
Describe Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) infections in a herd
Once in a herd it is persistent
Can give acute / peracute outbreaks, especially when on the back of PRRS or Influenza
Can also be chronic on its own, or part of PRDC
Describe the acute signs of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) infections
Acute – seen when they are close to death
- Big pigs suddenly dead – very little pathology
- Background cough
- Pyrexia & lethargy
- Bloody nares (often only seen once dead)
Describe the pathology of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) infections
Peracute – none!
Acute – haemorrhagic lesions
Chronic – solidified pneumonia with overlying pleurisy
Describe the treatment of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) infections
Treatment of individuals is often too late at an outbreak
Injectable, water or via feed
Penicillins – florfenicol – TMPS (- CIAs)
In an acute outbreak of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP), which other conditions need to be ruled out?
CSF / ASF
Salt poisoning
Toxicities
Acute Glassers
Endocarditis
Name the causative agent of swine dysentery
Brachyspria hyodysenteriae
Describe the pathology of swine dysentery
Ulcerative colitis / typhylocolitis (caecum and colon)
Compare aggressive and milder strains of swine dysentery
Aggressive strains - Death, slow growth, poor feed efficiency
Milder strain - Slow growth, looseness, poor feed efficiency
Describe the clinical signs of swine dysentery
Characteristic smell
Mucohaemorrhagic scour
Lethargy
Reduced feed intake
Loss of condition – can be rapid
Death, dependent on strain
Describe antibiotic use for swine dysentery
Antibiotic resistance is a problem
- Pleuromutilins
- Lincomycin
- Macrolides (not tylosin)
How is swine dysentery controlled?
Hygiene is so important – spreads easily in muck
Often move towards elimination
Industry-led programme – now part of farm assurance
Not viable to control long term
No viable vaccine options currently
Name the causative agent of spirochaetal colitis
Brachyspira pilosicoli
Describe the main features of spirochaetal colitis
- Mild colitis – common commensal
- Often a mixed infection with Lawsonia and Salmonella
- Has appearance of a grey cow pat in most cases, rarely has some blood present
- Usually control through nutritional changes
Name the porcine conditions caused by Lawsonia intracellularis
Ileitis – Porcine Haemorrhagic Enteropathy (PHE)
Also causes lower grade Porcine Intestinal Adenopathy (PIA)
Describe the pathology and pathogenesis of porcine intestinal adenopathy
Thickened distal ileum can extend into proximal colon
Causes malabsorption of intestinal contents
List the clinical presentation of porcine intestinal adenopathy
Low grade ‘food coloured’ scour
Poor growth – stunted pigs
How is porcine intestinal adenopathy diagnosed?
Only differentiated from colitis by lab diagnostics
- PCR +/- culture
Porcine haemorrhagic enteropathy can be hard to distinguish from which condition?
Swine dysentery
Describe the clinical signs/findings of Porcine Haemorrhagic Enteropathy
Acute haemorrhage, rotten blood smell, sudden death
Usually more mature animals nearer bacon weight
Blood clot finding in intestinal lumen
How is Porcine Haemorrhagic Enteropathy treated and controlled?
- Treatment of ileitis is effective: Macrolides – intracellular penetration
Vaccination is possible - Live oral vaccine – individual or via water
- Injectable now licensed IM or ID
What are the causes of nutritional scour?
- More common than likely recognised
- Low grade large intestinal colitis, often with disruption to the microbiome
- Change of feed too abruptly (feed rations, raw materials (barley, whey))
- Gorging suddenly
Describe how Ascaris suum is involved in respiratory issues
Can cause some respiratory issues as part of PRDC
Migrating L3 – cause coughing. Coughed up, swallowed, passed out in faeces
Which feature of an Ascaris suum infection is picked up at slaughter?
Milk spot liver
What are the causes of the milk spots of the liver in an Ascaris suum infection?
Migrating L2
How are Ascaris suum infections treated?
Pigs can be wormed individually or as a group
- Benzimidazoles & avermectins are effective
- Assume that eggs are indestructible - still viable 7y+ on paddocks
Name the ‘whipworm’ of pigs
Trichuris suis
Describe the disease caused by Trichuris suis
Clinically similar to Swine Dysentery
Irritative colitis – unresponsive to antibiotics
Describe the treatment and control of Trichuris suis
Worming needs to be repeated at high doses
Hygiene really important - washing & lime wash
Gastric ulceration is most commonly seen in which pigs?
Fast growing pigs
List the possible triggers of GI ulceration in pigs
Stress
Grist size
High protein
High wheat
List the clinical signs of GI ulceration in pigs
Melaena can be present, sudden death, pale carcass, clotted blood in GIT, ulcer can be found
Describe gastro-intestinal volvulus in pigs
- Half or full rotation around base of mesentery
- Very quick progression to death
- Complex aetiology: fresh grains, fermentation, high protein diets
- Swollen carcass, pale, classic positioning of GIT on post mortem
Describe the prevalence of rectal prolapse/strictures in pigs
Common finding – often linked to scour + increased abdominal pressure (coughing, huddling)
Often missed since they can be bitten off
Describe treatment of rectal prolapse/strictures in pigs
Replace if fresh – gloves, pressure, purse string suture
Amputate if old – surgical, pipe and rubber band
Describe the consequences of secondary strictures
Secondary stricture highly likely, leading to GIT blockage:
- Swollen abdomen, loss of condition, jaundice
- Can feel on digital palpation – ease open if possible
- Otherwise euthanasia is the only option
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a very common disease leading to …?
Bacteraemia
Describe the peracute, acute and chronic forms of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Peracute = found dead – septicaemic carcass
Acute = highly pyrexic, lethargy, raised skin lesions (typically diamonds, but not always!…)
Chronic = endocarditis, very stiff lameness
How is Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae control implemented on farms
- Often environmental and carried by wildlife: more common in outdoor herds and small holdings
- Commercial breeding herds are usually vaccinated: can cause abortions in gilts and sows
How is Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae treated?
Treatment with penicillin exceedingly effective
Can use water medication when a flare is occurring, but long term control should be via vaccination
Describe vaccination of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Vaccination of growing pigs must be after MDA has decayed – therefore vaccinate after 6 weeks post weaning
When are trauma lameness’s most prevalent?
Around puberty - fractures, dislocations, joint damage, OCD
‘Stiff leg’ in older pigs is caused by?
Mycoplasma hyosynoviae
Infection of Mycoplasma hyosynoviae is triggered by which factor?
Triggered by swinging temperatures, leading to acute synovitis – poor hygiene persists the infection
Describe the clinical signs of Mycoplasma hyosynoviae infections
Swelling can be minimal – often hips and stifles affected
Off legs, difficulty rising, lameness
Early cases can apparently ‘walk it off’
Describe the treatment of Mycoplasma hyosynoviae infections
Very speedy response to lincomycin / tiamulin & pain relief – need to complete the course
No vaccine available – no cross protection from EP vaccines
How do vice problems manifest
Manifests as biting of: tail, flank, ear, leg, vulva, anus
Huge welfare issue
Local or tracking abscessation, death, need to euthanase
What are the common causes of vice problems
Frustration, stress, ‘overstocking’, draughts, discontent, understocking, nutritional upset, disease
