Pigs Flashcards
Describe the important factors for biosecurity of the pig unit?
Location - preferably an area of low pig density, at least 3km from another pig unit in hilly country or on the coast. Secure perimeter fence to prevent visitors, wild pigs and other mammals entering the unit, isolation facilities off site for incoming stock, well constructed loading bay, draining towards the lorry, with gates preventing lorry drivers entering the unit from the loading bay, washing and disinfection facilities at the loading bay, lorries arriving at the farm to collect pigs should be empty, clean and disinfected. Visitors should not have been to another pig unit in the past 2,3 or 4 days. rodent and fly control should be effective and feed stores should be netted to prevent birds gaining access.
Which pathogens will a minimal disease pig herd be free from?
Enzootic pneumonia (mycoplasma hyopneumonia)
Porcine reproductive and respiratory virus infection
Pleuropneumonia (actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae)
Atrophic rhinitis (toxigenic pasteurella multocida)
Swine dysentery (bracyspira hyodysenteriae)
Streptococcal meningitis (streptococcus suis type II)
Mange (sarcoptes scabei)
What is the cause of white spot livers?
ascaris suum infection (roundworm)
What is mulberry heart disease?
A nutritional disease of the myocardium of pigs, causing sudden death in young pigs in good body condition. thought to be due to selenium/vit E deficiency. May also see hepatosis dietetica - an enlarged and mottled liver with haemorrhage.
What is the target for herd culling policy in a pig herd?
indoor herds have an average target of 38% and outdoors 45%. The target for culling sows is 6-7 parity.
What are the increasing problems with sows getting older?
Prolonged farrowings - increased stillbirth rate, more piglets overlain. Variable litter size and birth weights, problems with lactation arising from chronic mastitis and non functional teats, greater likelihood of poor fertility, lameness, endometritis, vulval discharge, cystitis/pyelonephritis.
Which management factors should be considered when investigating reproductive failures in sows?
Sow condition - level of nutrition, diet, feeding system.
Service management - boar contact, heat detection, number/timing of services, supervision, hygiene. Boar usag e- frequency, ratio of boar to sows, health of boars.
AI usage - timing, operator experience, handling of semen, quality of semen.
Seasonal effects - winter anoestrus, adverse temperature and weather conditions.
Pregnancy testing
Farrowing house management and environment - hygiene, sow comfort, farrowing supervision, speed of farrowing, neonatal care, suitable conditions for piglets, health. Sow parity, health problems, sow deaths.
Define an anoestrus gilt?
atleast 8 months of age without showing oestrus. or Cessation of oestrus cycles in the absence of pregnancy.
Define an anoestrus sow
Weaned at least 10 days without showing oestrus. Cessation of oestrus cycles int he absence of pregnancy or lactation.
what are your differentials for anoestrus?
inactive ovaries, pregnancy, undetected oestrus, irregular cycles due to persistent cl,, cystic follicles, intersexuality
What is the cause of cystic ovaries in sows?
high progesterone concentrations from adrenal cortex inhibits positive feedback mechanism of oestrogens on the pituitary gland thus inhibiting pre ovulatory surge of LH. examine for causes of environmental stress.
Which problems should you consider when sows are showing irregular returns to oestrus?
Loss during the embryonic phase up to 35 days leading to resorption or the foetal stage leading to abortion. possible - seasonal affects, overuse of boars leading to small number of embryos, vaginal discharges/endometritis, infectious reproductive diseases eg PRRS, Parvo, enteroviruses, swine influenza, erysipelas, actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.
What are the possible causes of intrapartum deaths in sows?
Long duration of farrowing, small litters, or very large litters, where parturition is 6-7 days early or late, high parity sows, position of foetus, anorexia, carbon monoxide, high ambient temperature in late gestation (sow fatigue)
How can parturition be induced in pigs?
By injection of prostaglandin. Farrowing commences 18-36 hours later. small doses of oxytocin can be given form 20 hours post prostaglandin in order to speed up the farrowing. single large doses of oxytocin are contra indicated as this has been shown to cause dystocia.
What is a male pseudohermaphrodite?
testicles for gonads with female external genitalia.
What is a true hermaphrodite?
Both ovarian and testicular tissue in gonads with female external genitalia. Vulva often upturned and clitoris prominent.
When is reproductive failure associated with vaginal discharge in the sow seen? what is the aetiology of this?
Thick creamy or muco haemorrhagic discharge seen 10-20 days post service. May persist for weeks/months if untreated or resolve spontaneously after 1-2 weeks. Discharge may arise from vagina, uterus, bladder or kidney inflammation. Quantitiy of discharge varies from slight to copious. The aetiology is a mixed population of ubiquitous organisms eg A pyogenes, E coli, streptococci, pseudomonas. Environmental factors are important. Infection probably introduced at service when genitalia contaminated.
How can reproductive failure associated with vaginal discharge in the sow be controlled and treated?
If discharge is copious, sows are unlikely to be pregnant. Treat discharging sows promptly with long acting broad spectrum antibiotic injection or installation via AI catheter. A slight discharge in the first week after service is of no pathogenic significance - usually due to seminal debris. Do not re serve sows whilst discharging. Once recovered use AI for next service, avoid possible boar contamination. If discharge recurs or sow returns for a second/third time then cull. Adopt stringent hygiene for boar pens, service pens and sow stalls/accommodation especially that used in the first 21 days post service.
What are the typical bacteria which cause coliform mastitis in sows?
E coli, klebsiella, enterobacter spp. Bacterial species which are common in the sows environment. ORganisms come in contact with the teats through inadequate hygiene or via a piglets oral flora. Endotoxaemia is considered to be the cause of agalactia. Septicaemia does not develop.
What are the clinical signs seen in sows with coliform mastitiS?
Initial signs on day 1 or 2 post farrowing, temperature response up to 42C, listless, weak, loss of interest in piglets, prefer sternal recumbency, piglets gaunt and hungry looking, continually trying to feed, restless. skin over mammary area reddened. Sub cutaneous oedema.
Treatment - broad spectrum antibiotic, nsaids, oxytocin, care for piglets, cross fostering, fee with milk, substitute, prevent chilling.
What does Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome cause?
Reproductive losses in pregnant stock, increased pre weaning mortality and influenza like illness affecting all ages of pigs.
What are the clinical signs of PRRS?
Non specific illness in sows, 1-2 weeks later reproductive losses followed by unthriftiness, respiratory illness and mortality in piglets and all ages of growing stock. Effects on neonatal piglets can be severe, respiratory distress, scour, unthriftiness, high mortality. Semen quality may be impaired following infections of boars. Reproductive problems include infertility, premature farrowing, stillbirths and weakly born piglets.
How can PRRS be diagnosed?
Serology, virus isolation from aborted stilborn or non viable piglets, PCR test for virus from blood semen throat swabs.
What are the clinical signs of swine influenza?
Very similar to PRRS except respiratory signs are more widespread and severe especially if there are other endemic respiratory diseases on the farm. The virus enters the respiratory tract, multiplies rapidly in bronchial epithelim, virus dissapears by 9-10 days post infection.
How can swine influenza be diagnosed?
clinical featuers, serology (paired samples, rising titres) virus isolation from aborted piglets, infected lung in acute stage of disease.
What are the clinical signs of porcine parvo virus?
All reproductive associated, stillbirths, mummification, embryonic death, infertility, increased regular and irregular returns to oestrus, small litters, in non pregnant gilts and boars infection is of no consequence. Virus kills foetuses up to approx 70 days of gestation but pregnancy is maintained and piglets all mummified at birth or mixed mummified, stillborn and live piglets born.
How does porcine parvo virus spread?
oro nasal or veneral routes, viraemia, transplacental spread approx 10-14 days. Spreads into boar reproductive organs and semen from approx 7-21 days post infection.
How can porcine parvovirus be diagnosed?
paired maternal serology, virus detection PCR on foetal liver, serology in large fresh foetuses and stillborns.
Which is the most common leptospira serovar infecting pigs?
L bratislava is of most importance with L canicola and L icterohaemorrhagica occuring rarely.
What are the clinical signs seen with porcine leptospirosis?
abortion, stillbirths, weak piglets of reduced viability, abortion in last trimester, infertility, returns to service.
What is the pathogenesis of porcine leptospirosis?
Infection by oro nasal, venereal routes. BActeraemia, localised in renal tubules, shed in urine. Transplacental infection occurs, localises in uterus, foetal invasion, abortion 10 days - 4 weeks post infection. subclinical infection common in herds.
How can lepto be diagnosed in pig herds?
Sample sows with a history of recent abortion/infertility and assess the titres of the batch. For a foetus use antigen detection FAT or serology.
What clinical signs does streptococcus suis infection cause?
Polyserositis, joint ill, septicaemia, meningitis in young piglets.
How does streptococcus suis spread?
Infection is by aerosol or contact with carrier pigs. Bacteria colonise the tonsils, multiply and gain access to the circulation causing bacteraemia or septicaemia. The infection can localise in target tissues causing inflammation.
What are the clinical signs of streptococcus suis infection?
Joint ill occurs in suckling piglets and weaners. piglets are febrile with one or more swollen joints which are painful causing lameness. Affected piglets are reluctant to suckle or feed and rapidly fall behind the group. piglets with septicaemia show little on pathology except petechial haemorrhages of the pleura. In polyserositis there is fibrinous fluid exudation into body cavities and pericardium.
How can streptococcus suis infection be treated and prevented?
S suis is susceptible to a wide range of antibiotics. Suckling piglets are treated individually with courses of antibiotics by injection. Weaners can be treated by water or feed medication. Cases of meningitis must be removed from pens, placed in hospital accomodation and treated with antibiotics and NSAIDs by injection. Penicillin is usually highly effective. Attempts to eradicate s suis from herds by partial depopulation, medication of sows and boars with tilmicosin and thorough cleaning and disinfection of buildings has often proved unsuccessful on account of tonsilar carriage of organism by sows.
What is the cause of exudative epidermitis (greasy pig disease)
Staphylococcus hyicus - A common skin infection which can cause extensive lesions and prove fatal.
How does staphylococcus hyicus spread?
Spread is by contact with infected pigs and it can spread rapidly within groups. Trauma to the skin through teeth marks, mange infection, rough bedding or sharp projecting objects in pens predispose to infection.
What is the pathogenesis of staphylococcus hyicus infection?
BActeria multiply in the epidermis causing congestion, inflammation, fibrin exudation and increased sebaceous gland secretions giving the pigs a greasy feel. scabs form in the affected areas. May be fairly localised but can spread to affect large areas of skin in some piglets, causing severe pain, anorexia and death. In severe cases the skin is extremelythickened and develops deep cracks that ooze serous fluid and fibrin.
How is S hyicus treated and prevented?
S hyicus is generally susceptible to a range of antibiotics. The treatment strategy depends on umbers of pigs affected. the best response is obtained with antibiotics by injection. Antibiotic creams applied to the skin speed recovery. Severe cases should always be treated by injection and anti inflammatory agents should be used to help alleviate the severity of the lesions. Large affected groups should be treated in water or in feed.
What is the cause of glassers disease in pigs?
Haemophilus parasuis
What is the pathogenesis of glassers disease?
Haemophilus parasuis infection is characterised by fibrinous polyserositis in weaner and grower pigs. infection is by aerosol, pigs develop septicaemia, polyserositis, pneumonia and sometimes rhinitis and meningitis. Immunity develops in pigs that recover.
What are the clinical signs of glassers disease?
Occurs most commonly in weaned pigs from 1-3 months of age. onset of the disease is sudden. pigs become febrile, anorexic, show signs of pneumonia, lameness, stiffness and recumbency. there can be blotchy skin discolouration, mainly reddening of skin or peripheral cyanosis. Pigs that die acutely show fibrinous polyserositis, pericarditis and polyarthritis. Pneumonia and meningitis
What is the treatment and prevention methods for glassers disease?
H parasuis is sensitive to a wide range of antibiotics. As the disease commonly occurs in outbreak, treatment of the affected group with antibiotics in water or feed is advisable. An inactivated vaccine containing mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and haemophilus parasuis can be used in piglets for preventing /controlling both infections.
What is swine erysipelas?
Erysipelothrix rhsuopathiae is the cause of an acute disease in pigs characterised by a septicaemia and diamond shaped skin haemorrhages or a chronic syndrome characterised by polyarthritis and vegetative endocarditis.
How does infection with swine erysipelas occur?
E rhusopathiae is a soil associated organism and is carried by pigs in the tonsils. buildngs become contaminated and pigs get infected through contact. the organism is shed in faeces and urine. it is zoonotic. Pis develop immunity. however, antibodies do not appear to cross joint capusles and this allows joint infections to persist.
What are the clinical signs of swine erysipelas?
In the acute form pigs from approximately 2 months of age to adult show high temperature, lethargy, anorexia and red blotching of the skin, sudden death can occur, diamond shaped skin lesions appear 1-2 days after onset of fever. Polyarthritis affects the limb joints especially elbows and stifles. Cases with valvular endocarditis may have an obvious heart murmur and develop clinical signs of congestive heart failure.
What does m. hyosynoviae infection cause in pigs?
arthritis in growing and finishing pigs. Septicaemia folows infection by oronasal route and localisation in joints causing synovitis. pigs develop acute lameness on one or more limbs and joint capsules swell.
What must a pig owner do before buying a pig as a pet?
get a county, parish holding number that identifies where the pigs will be kept. Obtain an animal movement document from the sellar (AML2), transport in pigs in compliance with DEFRAs general license for moving pigs, and register pigs with animal health within 3 days of arrival on the premises.
Make sure the pig is properly and legally identified. Implement good bio security to protect both the health of pigs and their keepers.
what must pig owners never do?
Move pig without the proper license or walk them without obtaining a walking license. In scotland pig walking off premises is not permitted. Do not feed pigs or allow pigs acess to any waste food, kitchen scraps or food that has come from a domestic or commercial kitchen. Milk, milk products, fruit and veg may be fed aslong as they have not come from a domestic kitchen or catering outlet.
when should female pigs be spayed?
if it is not intended to breed from femaees, they should be spayed at approx 10-12 weeks of age before onset of oestrus. Vietnamese potbellied pigs and other asian types reach puberty at approx 4 moths of age (generally 2 months earlier than commercial breeds of pigs)
what wormer should be used for pigs?
avermectin on arrival and again 2 weeks later. if the premises cannot be kept worm free, pigs need to be treated with benzimidazoles every 4-6 months to avoid heavy infestations with ascaris and other parasites.
What should pigs be vaccinated against?
Erysipelas using an initial double injection course followed by 6 monthly vaccination, if it is planned to breed from gilts then they should be vaccinated against parvo virus before getting served for the first 3 parities. Vaccination of gilts against E coli and clostridium perfringens type C should be done at 6 weeks and 3 weeks before first farrowing, then 3-4 weeks before farrowing in subsequent pregnancies.
Which infections of pigs are zoonotic?
swine influenza virus, salmonellosis, streptococcus suis type II and erysipelas
What are the common problems affecting pet pigs?
Obesity
Skin problems - mange, lice, ticks and fleas, insect bites. Some pet pigs develop severe thickening and crusting or flaking of the skin through insufficient zinc or essential fatty acids in feed. sunburn can affect pigs if no shelter is available in hot weather. Sunscreen should be applied. Overgrown claws tends to affect lateral claws more commonly than medial claws. Boar tusks continue to grow and will need to be trimmed. Tumours are fairly common in older pet pigs including melanoma, osteosarcoma, lymphosarcoma. Defects such as umbilical or scrotal hernias can also occur. cryptorchidism is quite common in pet pigs and the retained testicles are best removed surgically at a young age.
How to vaccines play an integral part in disease control in pigs?
Used in adult stock to protect them against specific diseases eg erysipelas and parvovirus. Vaccines used in adult stock to confer maternal immunity to neonatal piglets eg E coli. Vaccines used in weaners to protect them against endemic diseases in the home unit or in units to which they are destined for supply e.g mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, PRRS, porcine circovirus, haemophilus parasuis, and lawsonia intracellularis. In the event of a significant disease problems an autogenous vaccine can be made under a liscence - using the pathogen isolated from a specific farm. These vaccines are always killed.
How much medication should be added to in water medication for pigs?
healthy pigs drink 8-10% of their body weight each day. rule of thumb : 5L of water per 60kg of pis drinking from the supply point. or 100L per tonne of pig weight. water medication is the fastest method of medicating large numbers of pigs quickly. Pigs that are ill will usually continue to drink whereas they might refuse to eat. If there are high environmental temperatures the temperature within the header tank could cause products to degrade. dirty tanks and pipework and slime contamination reduce the efficacy of antibiotics. Unduly high water pressure and flow rates result in high levels of wastage with wastage of products. You should increase estimated medication by 10-12% to allow for this.
Where should pigs be injected subcut?
Behind the ear (25-75mm behind the base) for small pigs the inside thigh is an option. avoid femoral canal.
