Internal diseases of swine II

Question 1

Describe Rectal prolapse in pigs.

Answer 1

Males at higher risk.

Affects Pigs 12-20 weeks of age.

Rectal, perineal or hip muscle excessive relaxation.

Question 2

Etiology of rectal prolapse in piglets. (6)

Answer 2

Contributors:
* Chronic diarrhea
* Cough
* Constipation, low fibre and water shortages
* Excessive slope to the floor
* Long-term usage of Tylosin p.o.
* Zearalenone intoxication (Fusarium spp.)

Question 3

Clinical signs and tx of rectal prolapse.

Answer 3

Clinical signs:
* Rectal mucosa permanently or temporarily visible
* Mucosa pink to red and swollen.
* Possible injuries
* Later - necrosis of the tissues.

Treatment:
* Surgical

Question 4

Rectal prolapse reduction treatment procedure.

Answer 4

Sedate or restrain the pig. Clean the area around the prolapse. Infiltration with local anaesthesia around the anal or vaginal ring may be used.

Carefully return the prolapse into the rectum.
Place a purse string suture. The prolapse is likely to be pushed out again but do not worry continue stitching replacing the prolapse when it gets in the way.

Place three fingers (depends on the size of the animal) into the rectum and pull the sutures tight around your fingers. There has to be sufficient room for the animal to defecate.

Inject the animal with a suitable antibiotic for example penicillin/streptomycin.

Question 5

Rectal stricture Etiology / contributors in pigs:

Answer 5

• Damage to rectal mucosa
• Arterial thrombosis
• M. retractor penis inflammation
• Erysipelas
• Haemophilus parasuis
• Streptococci
• Salmonella infection
• Long-term use of AB potentially contributes.
• Candida spp (yeast fungi)
• Rectal prolapse contributes to stricture formation.

Question 6

Clinical signs of rectal stricture. (6)

Answer 6

Lethargy
Anorexia

Loss of body condition
Very loose watery diarrhea

Constipation
Difficulties when inserting the thermometer.

Ddx: ascites, peritonitis, intestinal hemorrhagic inflammation

Question 7

Describe gastric ulcers in pigs and their etiology.

Answer 7

Affects sows and growing pigs.
Incidence in sows < 5 %, in growers < 60 %.

Usually diagnosed post mortem.
Clinical signs are rare.

Question 8

Etiology of gastric ulcers in pigs.

Answer 8

• Stress
• Dense population
• Parasitism
• Starving (sows)
• PCV2 infection

Irregular feeding using:
* Diet (too finely ground)
* Pelleting feeds
* Feed high in unsaturated fatty acids.
* Diets based on whey and skimmed milk

Low protein diets
Low fibre diets
High energy diets
High levels of wheat in excess of 55 percent
Deficiencies of vitamin E or selenium
High levels of iron, copper or calcium
Diets low in zinc

Question 9

Lesions in gastric ulcer disease in pigs.

Answer 9

In the area the esophagus enters the stomach, the mucosa becomes roughened, eroded, ulcerated.

Bleeding may be present.

Question 10

Clinical signs of gastric ulcers in pigs. (10)

Answer 10

Grinding of the teeth due to stomach pain
Breathlessness

Anorexia
Wasting

Pallor
Pain

Melena
Vomiting (contains blood)

Dehydration
Death (the pig’s condition is mostly good)

Question 11

Tx of gastric ulcers in pigs. (3)

Answer 11

Blood transfusion in theory but pigs have 15 blood types…

Vitamins
Iron

Question 12

Etiology of Cannibalism in pigs. (10)

Answer 12

Tail, ears and flanks affected.
Bad feeding and management.

Low temperature
Bad ventilation

Feeding
Drinking system

Bedding
Dense population

Stress
A single “bully” individual.

Question 13

Clinical signs of cannibalism. (5)

Answer 13

Damage to the tail and ear tips
Bleeding
Several animals have damage
Infections develop
Paresis

Question 14

Prevention of cannibalism in pigs. (3)

Answer 14

Straw (200 g/pen) or haylage for manipulation.
Ropes
Toys

Prior to a tail biting outbreak, an increased prevalence of low tail posture may be seen.

Question 15

Tx of cannibalism injury in pigs. (3)

Answer 15

Local or systemic AB
Tail amputation
Eutanasia