Neonatal colibacillosis

Question 1

Signs

Answer 1

• Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)
• very young (3 days) piglets
• sudden death
• huddling or shivering, seek corners
• wet tail and rump
• watery to creamy diarrhoea
• rapid dehydration and acidosis

Question 2

Treatment

Answer 2

• correct any deficiencies in litter size
• – some sows may have more piglets than functional teats
• check sow is making milk
• – watch for feeding behaviour, are some piglets missing out
• rehydration - fluids, electrolytes
• – oral, parenteral
• colostrum substitutes
• antibiotics
• – last resort and often too late

Question 3

Control

Answer 3

sow vaccination

• prior to farrowing (2-6 weeks)
• enhance the quantity of antibodies in colostrum
• gilts (giving births for the first time, expecting the first litter)

hygiene

• cleaning and disinfection between farrowing
• shared equipment, drainage between pens

supplementary heat, dry farrowing area
- reduce stress