Pig diseases

Question 1

Widespread depression
ocular discharge
Fever
Leg weakness + convulsions
Red skin + ecchymoses
Diarrhoea
DEATH

(Sep 2016)

Answer 1

African Swine Fever!

NOTIFIABLE not in UK yet…

DDX - CSF, acute Erysipelas, acute Salmonellosis, acute Glasser’s dz, other causes of septicaemia

Question 2

African Swine Fever PM findings and sampling….

Sep 2016

Answer 2

Widespread petechiation + ecchymoses
Congestion
Haemorrhage LNs
Button ulcers in caecum
Effusions in body cavities

Sample blood or tissue for PCR or FAT test

Question 3

5 point integrated response to notifiable disease from APHA…

(Sep 2016)

Answer 3

1. Valuation
2. Slaughter on farm
3. Approved carcass disposal method
4. Clean + disinfect
5. Sentinel animals (indicate prevalence?)

Question 4

Tail biting in pigs, 5 causes + 2 main preventions

Sep 2016

Answer 4

Causes

1. Lack of env. enrichment
2. over crowding
3. inadequate ventilation
4. insufficient feeders/drinkers space
5. other infectious dz.

Preventions

1. address management issues
2. tail docking (LAST RESORT, <7d.o. without anaesthetic, Welfare of farm animal regs.)

Question 5

What is the causal agent of Glasser’s Disease (2 mark)? Give two clinical signs and state the best sample and method for diagnosis (4 marks). List the steps that you would use in the treatment and prevention of this disease in a group of 100 7-week old pigs (6 marks).
(may 2016)

Answer 5

Haemophilus parasuis

Clinical signs: Any 2 of found dead, polyarthritis, skin discolouration, neurological signs, coughing, ill thrift.

Best diagnostic sample and method: swabs or tissue from systemic location (brain/joint/serosal swab) NOT tonsil or nasal swab; culture and serotyping.

Treatment and prevention: Parenteral antibiotic (e.g. penicillin) for affected animals; metaphylaxis using in-water antibiotic (e.g. amoxicillin or doxycycline); vaccination of piglets prior to weaning; prevent mixing of different sources at weaning; reduction of environmental stress.

Question 6

Typical clinical signs of Bowel Oedema in pigs? (may 2016)

Answer 6

• NO DIARRHOEA (very occasional)
• dull, recumbent within 12hr, unconcious, FATAL
• inappetant (can be too quick to see this)
• abnormal gait, FL shoulders flexed (HL incoordination)
• high pitched voice, “muffled bubbly squeak” - larynx oedema
• FLACCID paralysis
• dog sitting
• star gazing (cerebral oedema)
• eye lid oedema, can appear blind/deaf
• forced expiration

Question 7

DDX of Bowel Oedema in pigs? (may 2016)

Answer 7

True cause = E.coli F18, VTEC/EHEC

DDX (CNS dz)

• strep. suis type 2 (but no nystagmus or joints affected by bowel oedema)
• Botulisum
• abscess in brain

Question 8

Confirm diagnosis of Bowel Oedema in pigs? (may 2016)

Answer 8

1) history = young pigs, 7-10d post diet change (weaning)
(often late weaning, over feeding, clinical signs)
2) Culture/PCR E.coli in gut
3) SEROTYPE
4) PM = OEDEMA red submucosa, stomach and spiral colon, oedema in stomach, larynx and mesentery, catarrhal gastritis