Pig Management Diseases

Question 1

Name some common pig parasites

Answer 1

Hyostrongylus rubidus, Trichuris suis, Metastrongylus apri, Sarcoptes scabei

(and Isospora suis, but that’s not in this lecture)

Question 2

What are some management problems with outdoor sows?

Answer 2

Cold, sunburn, salt poisoning, bird strike, starvation/bullying

Question 3

What is thin sow syndrome?

Answer 3

= Inadequate body condition to function properly
Caused by: Feeding too little in pregnancy or lactation, Bullying, Excess E loss (cold), Parasitism (internal or external)
Damage can occur b/c of poor SQ fat cover = common when farrowing indoors and on concrete.

Question 4

Where are lesions most common with thin sow syndrome?

Answer 4

Over the shoulder (also seen on hips and back)

Question 5

Describe hyostrongylus rubidus infection in pigs (CS), and how do you dx?

Answer 5

Gives gastric mucosa a leather appearance
Weight loss in lactation (continues post-weaning)
NO DIARRHEA
Reduced fertility (prolonged weaning-service)
Dx = FEC and plasma pepsinogen

Question 6

Describe trichuris suis infection in pigs (CS)

Answer 6

Mild diarrhea
Reduced weight gain
Cause mucosal damage that can be invaded by secondary infections
Immunity develops w/ age

Question 7

Describe Metastrongylus apri infection (CS)

Answer 7

Coughing, Dyspnea
Reduced growth and emphysematous lesions in diaphragmatic lobes of outdoor pigs

(this is the main lungworm in the UK)

Question 8

What is the intermediate host for metastrongylus apri?

Answer 8

Earthworms

Question 9

Describe sarcoptes scabei infection in pigs (CS)

Answer 9

Intense pruritis
can contribute to thin sow syndrome
mites found around ears
Lesions = hypersensitivity reaction
Infection spread pig to pig and from environment (mite can survive 2 weeks off pig)

Question 10

Name 3 premixed anthelmintics and how long are they given for?

Answer 10

Ivermectins - 7d

Benzimidazoles/Flubendazoles - 5d growers, 10d breeders

Question 11

Name 2 water soluble anthelmintic, how long are they given?

Answer 11

Panacur (fenbendazole) - 2d

Solubenol (flubendazole) - 2d growers/finishers, 5d breeders

Question 12

Name a parenteral anthelmintic

Answer 12

Ivermectin

Question 13

What is the worming protocol for breeding stock?

Answer 13

Worm 2x/year - Spring & Autumn

Question 14

What is the worming protocol for fattening pigs?

Answer 14

Worm every 2 months, from weaning

not done routinely in UK fattening stock unless high levels of milk spot detected at abattoir

Question 15

What are some managemental farrowing problems? (6)

Answer 15

Farrowing crate adjustment
Use of prostaglandin @ wrong day of gestation
Positioning of creep lights
Poor colostral intake (supervised farrowing)
Poor hygiene at interference
Trauma in farrowing crate

Question 16

From what day in gestation are pigs viable?

Giving prostaglandin early can cause what?

Answer 16

-Viable from day 111
-Prostaglandins are used to induce farrowing, giving early can lead to: premature piglets!
Which in turn leads to –> increased risk of splay leg, possible compromise of colostral quantity and quality

Question 17

How do you position creep lights?

Answer 17

Period after farrowing is critical
Should be placed to rear of sow and in the creep area
Rear lights should be switched off after the sow has finished farrowing
Piglets will then be safe in the creep area away from sow

Question 18

What causes salt poisoning?

Answer 18

Water deprivation or or excess dietary salt
Can affect immobile individuals
Freezing conditions, drought, burst pipes can reduce water

Question 19

CS of salt poisoning?

Answer 19

Seizures
Prostration w/ paddling
Coma
Death (if total water deprivation)

If water deprivation isn’t complete, or this is a result of increased salt intake = blindness, unresponsiveess to external stimuli, inappetance, head pressing, circling, convulsions

Question 20

What is the pathognomonic PM finding for salt poisoning?

Answer 20

Meningoencephalitis w/ edema & eosinophil accumulations around vessels of cerebral cortex and meninges

Question 21

How do you treat salt poisoning?

Answer 21

Change to low Na diet
Re-introduce water slowly (quick re-introduction of water can exacerbate CS)
Betamethasone 2mg/kg
Keep in subdued light
Euthanize if no improvement after 36 hours

Question 22

What kind of anemia is iron deficiency anemia?

Answer 22

Hypochromic, microcytic

Question 23

How much iron does a piglet need and how much from sow’s milk?

Answer 23

15mg/day needed, 1mg/day from milk

Question 24

What are CS of iron deficiency anemia seen in piglets?

Answer 24

10-14 days

Question 25

CS of Fe deficiency anemia?

Answer 25

Pale
Reduced growth, thin
+/- Jaundiced
Sudden deaths

Question 26

Dx of iron defiency anemia?

Answer 26

Pale pigs w/ thin watery blood
Hematolgy and Hb measurement (<70g/l=suggestive)
Live Fe measurements
Liver is enlarged and heart may be flabby and enlarged

Question 27

Tx/prevention of Fe deficiency anemia?

Answer 27

IM injections of iron dextran or gleptoferron (@ 1-3 days of age) for prevention
Oral supplements (pastes/granules) can be given p.o. or scattered on the ground
When they do have anemia, Vit E and Selenium should also be supplemented

Question 28

What are some triggers for tail biting?

Answer 28

Temperature changes
Draughts
Heavy stocking rates
Competition
Mixed genetic lines / tail lengths
Vit E deficiency
High fat diets
Concomittant disease

Question 29

How do you control tail biting?

Answer 29

Docking (but CANNOT do this routinely)
Remove trigger factors
Increase salt content of diet if housed on slats (to max of 1%)
Remove affected pigs ASAP

Question 30

When do you euthanize a tail bitten pig?

Answer 30

If no tail remaining, open wound/swelling abscessation on tail head - euthanize on farm

Question 31

What can occur as a consequence of tooth clipping?

Answer 31

Damage to sow udder
Injury - resulting in entrance of Staph hyicus to cause greasy pig disease

Tooth clipping is NOT a routine procedure in UK

Question 32

Under what tail biting conditions can you still send the pig to slaughter?

Answer 32

If the wound has healed and there is no evidence of abcesses

Question 33

What is immunological castration?

Answer 33

Vx used to reduce testicular function w/o surgery
Antibodies grow to GnRF
Growth rates are maintained up to the late finishing period
Improvac available in UK
[not widely used b/c not always accepted by supermarkets and QA schemes]

Question 34

What is the minimum # of sows that should be housed together and why?

Answer 34

Groups should be either 8-16 (very large) b/c sows fight for dominance when grouped

Grouped after weaning, when loose housed after service, or when heavily pregnant