Pigs Flashcards
Average weaning, growing and finishing weight of UK pigs?
Weaning: 7kg
Grower: 30kg
Finisher: 130kg
Types of pig farms?
Farrow to finish
Store pig producer
Weaner producer
How good are pigs’ senses?
Smell - very good
Sight - not great in bright light, can’t see red
Touch - most touch receptors on snout, may not feel piglets if lie on them
Hearing - good at hearing low grunting sounds and high pitch sounds e.g. screaming
Why are batch systems used for some pig farms?
Splits up age groups
Reduces endemic infection seen in continuous production
Which are the main diseases that can be vaccinated against in a pig breeding herd?
Parvovirus Erysipelas PRRS PCV2 Leptospirosis Clostridium novyi
Which are the main diseases that can be vaccinated against in a pig growing herd?
Mycoplasma hyopneumonia (EP) PCV2 PRRS Haemophilus parasuis (Glassers) Lawsonia intracellularis Erysipelas Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia (APP) E.coli Salmonella typhimurium (autogenous vaccine)
Types of vaccines? Pros and cons?
Inactivated - slow, lower response, safe, cheap
Live - quick, strong response, risky
Autogenous - emergency only
Methods of administration of vaccines in pigs?
Injection - SC, IM, ID
Oral
Water
What can affect the effectiveness of a vaccine?
MDA interference (can last up 6 weeks post weaning?) Duration of protection variation Infection pressure vs immune protection
What are autogenous vaccines?
For emergencies
Agent isolated on farm - named farm specific
Can only be used if commercial vaccine not available or proven not effective
All inactivated
Advantages and disadvantages of injectable medications for pigs?
Quicker response Easier identification Ensures correct dose Individually administered Time/labour intensive Potential injection site issues Stress factor Broken needles
Advantages and disadvantages of medications in water for pigs?
Easy to administer - no stress Quick start of medication Intermediate cost Group treatment - reduced targeting Not guaranteed uptake Plumbing/blockages Cost of wastage
Advantages and disadvantages of medications in food for pigs?
Whole groups treated Least cost per treated animal Variable dose Slow start of treatment Reduced targeting of ill animals - least effective method for ill animals Residue risk Logistics for small quantities
How long to medical records need to be kept for? What information is needed for pigs?
5 years Product used and batch Treatment start and end dates ID of animal Treatment reason (not legal requirement but is for red tractor) Dose given and route Withdrawal period Clearance date Initials/name of person giving the medication
Main route of antibiotic administration in pigs?
In feed
What are the 3 classes of antibiotics?
Class 1 - standard prescribing within responsible use guidelines
Class 2 - not to be used unless sensitivity tests or clinical experience has proven that first choice ABs are not effective or available
Class 3 - products of last resort, only to be used when no other options available and supported by lab sensitivity tests or in extreme circumstances when all else has failed
What affects choice of antibiotic?
Sensitivity Clinical experience Availability and deliverability on farm Speed of delivery Withdrawal period
Which antibiotics are low penetration? What not good for?
Beta lactase
Aminoglycosides
Not for CSF, milk or transcellular
Which antibiotics are medium-high penetration?
Sulphonamides
Trimethoprim
Macrolides
Tetracyclines
Which antibiotics are high penetration?
Higer tetracyclines
Fluoroquinolones
Florfenicol
How to calculate a group dose of medication for pigs in food/water?
Water: pigs consume about 10% BW daily
Feed: often calculated as ppm for finished feed
Which coccidiostat is used for pigs?
Toltrazuril
What drugs are used in pigs for farrowing assistance and uterine contraction/milk let down?
Induction - PGF2a
Uterine contraction/milk let down - oxytocin
How are progestogens used in pigs?
Oral dose for 18 days
Oestrus seen 5 days after the last dose
Ovaries must be active
Under dosing is catastrophic
How long is a pig oestrus cycle?
21 days (19-23)
BCS 1-5 of pigs?
1: emaciated sow backbone very prominent
2: thin, backbone prominent
3: ideal condition during lactation and at weaning, backbone just palpable
4: slightly overweight, cannot find backbone
5: body rotund, over fat
What is the maintenance feed for dry sows? When is more needed?
2.5kg
More for wearers, service/implantation, late pregnancy
Timing of mating for pigs?
Ovulate 2/3 way through standing heat
Late standing heat: Day when first boar test positive
Normal standing heat: 1 day after first boar test positive
Early standing heat: 2 days after first boar test positive
Signs of heat in pigs?
Vulva - reddening, swelling, mucous Vocalisation Interest in boar Flank nosing Smelling of boar Standing next to boar Standing to back pressure Allowing sows or boar to mount
Features of a good AI area?
Close to sows Not near boars Nose to nose contact Individual insemination pen Undisturbed area post insemination Flow of pigs Good gates/dividers
Which parities of pigs are most productive with number of pigs born alive?
4-5
What is the maximum farrowing index?
Total sow cycle = 21 weeks
So 52/21 = 2.476
Influences on farrowing index?
Conception rate Final farrowing rate Weaning to service gap Weaning to actual conception gap Other causes of empty days
Influences on piglets born alive?
Point ov ovulation Point of fertilisation Ability to implant Ability to maintain through pregnancy Survival through farrowing
When are piglets weaned and when are sows then served again?
Weaned at 4 weeks
Served 1 week after weaning (5 weeks after farrowing)
General targets for total born/litter, born alive/litter, born dead/litter, born mummified/litter, conception rate, farrowing rate and farrowing index for pigs?
Total born/litter: > 12.5 Born alive/litter: > 11.5 Born dead/litter: < 0.7 Born mummified/litter: < 0.3 Conception rate: > 90% Farrowing rate: > 85% Farrowing index: > 2.3
Non infectious causes of decreased fertility on pig farms?
Nutrition Stress - physiological behavioural, heat, cold Quality of service and implantation period Staff factors Seasonal infertility Herd profile Sunburn/sensitisation Mycotoxins Sow/boar illness - lameness
Infectious causes of decreased fertility on pig farms?
Porcine parvovirus PRRS PCV2 Swine Influenza Leptospirosis SMEDI viruses
Aujeszky’s
Classical Swine Fever
Brucella suis
Systemic infections causing pyrexia
Endometritis
Orchitis
Conception issues in pigs?
Silent heats not seen
Gilts - age, weight, heat balance, genetics, intersexuality, abnormal anatomy
Sows - energy balance, stress, lactational oestrus, seasonal, mycotoxins
When are late returns classed as abortions?
> 11 weeks in pig
Causes of regular returns of pigs?
Common - fertilisation has failed to occur
Timing of service
Quality of service
Boar contact post AI service
Boar/semen problem
Or early loss of embryos - incomplete involution, stress, nutrition, infection
Irregular returns?
Less common
Ultrasound PD valuable to know if actually been in pig
Embryo loss >12d
Infection - tracking endometritis
Types of returns to service?
Regular - multiples of 21d
Irregular - our of sync
Late returns (abortions) - > 11 weeks in pig
Prevention of endometritis in pigs?
Service, post service and farrowing hygiene!
Causes of a reduced litter size in pigs?
Ovulation issue - genetics, nutrition, age, parity structure
Fertilisation issue - service timing, semen quality, boar/semen issue, nutrition, stress
What can disrupt implantation of pregnancies in pigs?
Stress is biggest issue
Nutrition
Seasonal influence
Disease
When are pig pregnancies more robust?
After 30d
Causes of abortions in pigs?
Stress Parvovirus PRRS PCV2 Erysipelas Leptospirosis
Aujeszky's CSF Toxaemia - endotoxins, plants, mycotoxins Systemic pyrexia Placentitis
What are the aims during farrowing?
Increase the number of live pigs weaned
More even litters
Increased average weaning weight
Avoid excessive loss of sow condition
What signs suggest a sow is close to farrowing?
Nesting behaviour
Discomfort
Decreased appetitte
Milk appearance in last 12hr
Signs of dystocia in pigs? How common
No piglet for >30minutes
Straining
Rare as multiparous with small foetuses
Causes of primary inertia in pigs?
Overconditioned Lack of muscular tone Hypocalcaemia Concurrent illness Endocrine malfunction
Causes of secondary inertia in pigs?
Exhaustion
Dehydration
Excessive heat
Prolonged obstruction (hypocalcaemia) often gives follow up problems
Causes of foetal dystocia?
Obstructions are rare Coiled uterus -> backup of foetuses Oversized usually in small litter numbers Congenital abnormalities Putrefying dead foetus Malpresentations very rare
Farrowing problems?
Dystocia Uterine twists Operator induced - uterine ruptures, pelvic/vaginal damage Collapsed/narrow pelvis Everted bladder/vaginal prolapse Oxytocin overdose
How to get piglets out if needed?
Fingers in eye sockets or jaw to pull
Use of baler twine useful if pelvis is tight
Treatment drugs for farrowing problems?
Oxytocin once clear (lasts 30mins)
Antibiotics if assisted or retained piglet/membranes (penicillin)
NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory and analgesia)
Calcium - SC, not clear cut benefit
PGF2a - induction (careful) or post farrowing for retained
When are caesareans indicated in pigs? Drugs needed? Procedure?
If totally unresponsive to inertia or obstruction
Sedation - azeperone (licensed, need to leave alone for 20 mins) or xylazine/butorphanol (not great sedation)
GA - ketamine
Local - possible but complicated
Flank incision either side ~10cm above udder and cranial to hindleg
Extend for 20-25cm
Difficult to manipulate opposite uterine horn but persevere
Euthanasia and hysterectomy an alternative
Prolapses at/post farrowing?
Rectal - can replace if fresh, otherwise will resolve with time
Vaginal - often able to work through if assisting
Uterine - enormous, difficult to replace, take time and be patient if attempting, can remove but often euthanasia carried out once colostrum has been obtained
Importance of milk?
Colostrum
Total weaning weight of litter is linked to total milk production
Total milk production is linked to total food intake during lactation
In what way do pigs let milk down?
Intermittent milk let down
Low grunting to call piglets
Piglets find teats and push on them - increases oxytocin
Milk let down for 30-45 seconds
Repeats about about an hour
Dominant sow will start and then others will do same
What is MMA syndrome?
Mastitis, metritis, agalactia
Management in origin
Not all parts always seen
Environment - temperature, floor quality, wetness
Nutrition - prefarrow excess, constipation
Water availability
Why must pig milk be monitored?
Milk production can easily be lost and does not return
Cross fostering/supplementation important
Nutrition has an enormous influence
Can have infection
Treatments for milk problems in pigs?
Steroids - allows milk to flow
Oxytocin (or carbetocin as lasts longer)
Broad spectrum Abs - penicillin/streptomycin
What is the definition of still born piglets?
A piglet that has died in the 24hrs before farrowing?
When do the majority of piglet deaths occur? Most common cause?
<72h
Overlays
Piglet routines?
Iron injections Tagging/notching/tattooing Tail docking Teeth reduction Injections - vaccines/treatments Oral treatments
Causes of piglet scour?
Milk/nutritional scour
Viral - rotavirus, PED/TGE, PRRS
Bacterial - E.coli, Clostridium perfringens
Parasitic - Isospora suis, Cryptosporidiosis, Strongyloides
Risk factors for piglet scour?
Poor hygiene
Lack of colostrum
Fostering
Gilt/sow illness
When is milk scour seen? Why does it happen?
Either very early on or from 3 weeks of age
GIT overload to large intestines
Self limiting
Clinical signs of piglet scour caused by viruses? Why do they cause scour?
Hugely profuse amounts of watery scour Very early onset Mortality is related to dehydration Small intestinal villous atrophy Secondary bacterial infection Difficult to directly treat (increase hygiene and immunity)
What type of virus causes PED and TGE? What do they stand for? Pathogenesis? Clinical signs? Age affected? Treatment and control?
Coronaviruses:
- Porcine epidemic diarrhoea
- Transmissible gastroenteritis
Pathogenesis:
- Infect and damage gut epithelial cells, especially damage to villous structure
- High morbidity and mortality
Signs:
- Profuse watery scour with vomiting of piglets
- New PED has very high mortality under 3 weeks old
- Affects all ages and can be self limiting but can persist in larger herds
TGE:
- acute, productive diarrhoea -> high mortality
- can cause diarrhoea and vomiting in older sows
- sows can develop protective IgA mediated immunity and virus may persist well in herds
- survives well at low temperatures - winter outbreaks common
- no treatment for piglets
- high biosecurity and closed herds reduces risk
No vaccine or direct therapy
(vaccine available in some countries but efficacy unclear)
Clinical signs of PRRS in piglets?
Dyspnoea CNS signs Weak Conjunctivitis Bruising Anaemia Scour, sometimes containing blood High mortality
When is E.coli scour usually seen in piglets?
Usually within first week but can be any time during lactation
Clinical signs of E.coli scour in piglets?
Watery scour often present Can be flocculant/creamy No vomiting usually More common indoors Chilled arcs can predispose outside
Treatment for E.coli scour in piglets?
Speedy treatment essential
Hydration
Antibiotics based on sensitivity - apramycin, spectinomycin
Vaccination of breeding herd - short term cover via colostrum
Dry disinfectant powders
Probiotics
What does Clostridium perfringens type C cause in piglets? Treatment?
Sudden death within 24 hours due to acute haemorrhagic enteritis
Produces B toxin
Usually seen outdoors
Can only be treated pre-emptively at birth (metaphylaxis)
Penicillins usually effective
Longer term vaccines should be used
What does Clostridium perfringens type A cause in piglets? Treatment and control?
Mainly associated with low grade chronic diarrhoea
Pasty scour any time during lactation, giving poor growth
Produces a and B2 toxins
Difficult to control and treat
Penicillins may work but variable
Maintain hydration
Prevention - short term metaphylaxis or use ruminant vaccination
Clinical signs and age of piglets affected by Coccidiosis? Treatment and control?
Usually 10-21d old with pasty yellow loose faeces
Resolves at weaning but huge impact on weaning weight
Does not respond to treatment
Hygiene main method of control
Toltrazuril at 4do can resolve clinical impact
Why does Isospora cause disease in piglets?
Found within the gut wall
Caused physical damage to the lining
Most common nervous disease of piglets? Method of transmission? When seen?
Bacterial meningitis
Streptococcus suis, E.coli, Haemophilus parasuis
Often due to bacterial penetration through ‘openings’ - navel, wounds, teeth clipping, tail docking
Sometimes also seen with joint ill
Can affect any age during lactation but usually nearer to weaning
Clinical signs of bacterial meningitis in piglets and weaner?
Nystagmus Opisthotonus Trembling Pyrexia Collapse Paddling Convulsions Sudden death
Treatment and control of bacterial meningitis of piglets?
Treatment must address swollen brain - steroids quickest, along with systemic antibiotics
Hydration important
Control with good hygiene and colostrum management
What are the different forms of congenital tremors in piglets?
A1: cerebellar atrophy, CSF infection
A2: cerebellar atrophy and hypomyelinogenesis, pestivirus infection
A3: Landrace inherited to male pigs
A4: Saddleback recessive inherited defect
A5: cerebellar atrophy and hypomyelinogenesis, organophosphate effect
Clinical sign of congenital tremor type A2 in piglets? When most prevalent? Impact?
Intention tremor that occurs sporadically
Often more prevalent in gilts or new herds
Recovery often occurs naturally as long as they can suckle
Splay leg piglets can be seen
Main causes of lameness in piglets?
Joint ill - often associated with bacteraemia from an ‘opening’, prompt treatment can resolve, control with hygiene
Splayleg - variable onset and cause, can be supported to enable suckling
Injuries - caught toes may be common on certain floors, injuries from mum
Other congenital abnormalities of piglets?
Cleft palate Epitheliogenesis imperfecta Hydrocephalus Contracted tendons Monsters
What is the legal minimum for age of weaning of piglets?
28 days
21 days if specifically going into weaning specific accommodation which is all in all out
Targets for number of piglets weaned/sow, weaning weight and weaned weight/sow?
Weaned/sow > 11
Weaning weigh > 7kg (28d)
Weaning > 100kg/sow
Features of weaner food?
High milk protein content - goes off quickly so need to make sure it’s fresh
What are the main things that go wrong with weaner pigs?
Too young/small Failure of gut development Hypothermoia Infection pressure too high Stress - space, allowances Loss of condition - tucked in Navel sucking Vices
Prevention of poor weaning pigs?
Suitable pigs into correct accommodation
Proper food
Same age group
Interfere as little as possible
Causes of poorer pigs from farrowing?
Continuing damaged gut - Coccidiosis)
Lowered weaning weight - E.coli, Rotavirus, Clostridia
Joint ill - inadequately managed
Triggers of gut problems in weaner pigs?
Dietary and feeding changes Temperature changes Draughts Inadequate hygiene Overeating Historical GIT damage
When does E.coli affect weaner pigs? Clinical signs? Which part of the GI tract does it affect?
Sudden onset of watery scour around 1 week post weaning
Loss of condition - dehydration
Mild pyrexia and can cause some sudden deaths
Affects distal SI
Treatment and control for post weaning E.coli in pigs?
Swift treatment needed Water medication simple and effective Antibiotics - apramycin, neomycin, spectinomycin Hygiene important Vaccination if appropriate Zinc oxide in feed Acidification of water
Salmonella enterica in pigs: Which species? What does it cause? Risk to humans?
Clinical signs, control and prevention of Salmonella affecting weaner pigs?
Main serovars in UK are S typhimurium and S derby:
- Infection can range from severe to mild inflammatory gastroenteritis or be carried asymptomatically in gut or mesenteric LNs (zoonotic risk)
- S typhimurium: emerging drug resistant variants particular challenge
S cholerasuis:
- Adapted to pigs and may cause invasive necrotic enteritis or septicaemia (typhoidal disease)
- Rrare in UK
- Can be zoonotic and highly invasive in humans
Transmission:
- Resilient so persists well in environment
- Transmission from carrier pigs
- No current vaccine for pigs
Diagnosis:
- Culture of faecal material on selective media e.g. brilliant green
- Typing
Signs:
- Low grade scour: indistinguishable from E.coli
- High mortality necrotic enteritis form more obvious clinically
- Distal SI and LI affected
Treatment:
- Aggressive treatment to be effective
- Antibiotics
Prevention
- Water acidification can be best hygiene
- Probiotics may reduce transmission
- Good management and hygiene
Nervous diseases of weaner pigs?
Bacterial meningitis Oedema disease Water deprivation Middle ear disease Toxicities Notifiables
What causes meningitis of weaner pigs? Trigger factors? Treatment? Prevention?
Most commonly Strep suis type 2
Trigger factors around 2-4w weeks post weaning - humidity, stress, mixing, moving
Antibiotics - penicillins, florfenicol
Anti-inflammatories and water per rectum
Bedding, darkness, warmth, quiet
Prevention difficult - reduce triggers, metaphylaxis with vaccination
Also linked with Haemophilus parasuis (Glassers) - multiple strains, clinically looks same as strep suit, difficult to culture, same treatment
What causes oedema disease of weaner pigs? What does it cause? When seen?
Shiga-like toxin producing strains of E.coli: action on blood vessels and endothelial cells (STEC)
Causes oedema of the brain, omentum, gastric mucosa and peritoneum, cardio-pulmonary system
High mortality with rapid onset
Usually within a month of weaning
Clinical signs of Oedema disease of weaner pigs?
Sudden death
Convulsions
Stupor
Ataxia
Anorexia
Pyrexia
Oedema of face and eyelids (puffy appearance)
High pitched squealing (laryngeal oedema)
Oedema very obvious within the spiral colon mesentery on PM
Diagnosis and treatment for Oedema disease of weaner pigs?
Diagnosis:
- culture
- serotyping and ID of toxins/fimbrial type
Treatment:
- improve management and hygiene
- toxins can make it difficult to treat
- anti-inflammatories
- water soluble antibiotics (in feed?)
- often at changeover of feed so nutrition has a role
- vaccination option from 4do appears relatively effective, can also vaccinate sows to transfer protection via colostrum
Clinical signs of water deprivation/salt poisoning?
Usually in grower/finisher stage
Sudden onset of nervous disease in multiple pigs Odd behaviour around water points Collapse Rolling Convulsions
Treatment for water deprivation/salt poisoning of weaner pigs?
Severe dehydration increases salt content in CSF
Rapid rehydration gives swelling of brain by osmosis
Steroids can help
Slow rehydration imperative
IV drips if warranted
Mortality can be very high
What can middle ear disease resemble? Clinical signs? What is it associated with? Treatment?
Clinically indistinguishable from early meningitis
Usually inner ear is affected, giving head tilt and head shaking
Often associated with Swine Influenza or PRRS
Can progress to meningitis
Treat with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories
When does MDA decline for PCV2, PRRS, M hyopneumoniae, Haemophilus parasuis, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Swine influenza?
Haemophilus parasuis: 4 weeks Swine influenza: 5 weeks PRRS: 6 weeks PCV2: 7 weeks M hyopneumonia: 12 weeks Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae: 12 weeks
Clinical signs of PRDC in weaner and finisher pigs? PM?
Coughing Sneezing Pyrexia Conjunctivitis Dyspnoea Cyanosis Decreased appetite Loss of condition Mortality PM - pleurisy, pericarditis, peritonitis, polyserositis
What are the current main strains of Swine Influenza?
H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2
Clinical signs of Swine influenza? Incubation period? Immunity?
Piglets:
- unusual to see signs when sucking unless first introduction of disease into herd
- coughing
- pneumonia
- fever
Sows:
- pyrexia causing abortion
- widespread coughing
- pneumonia
- inappetence
- may start as 2-3 animals for 2 days, then rapid explosive outbreak
- acute respiratory distress persists for 7-10d
Incubation period = 12-48h with rapid dramatic onset
Immunity often short lived (6 months)
Herds may become endemic with intermittent bouts of disease and infertility
Epizootic form of Swine Influenza?
Multiple ages affected
Sudden onset
Triggers other diseases
Can persist in the herd - adds to PRDC
