Swine GI Disease Flashcards
What are the top 3 causes of diarrhea in swine?
- Salmonella
- E. coli
- Porcine Coronavirus
+/- Clostridium, Coccidia, Rotavirus
What ages of pigs are typically affected by Clostridial diarrhea?
Clostridium perfringens type A & C - 1-14 days
C. difficile - 1-7 days
(almost exclusively in neonates)
What is characteristic of the 3 causes of Clostridial enteritis?
- C. perfringens type A - pale yellow/white diarrhea, death uncommon, does not affect all litters
- C. perfringens type C - sudden hemorrhagic diarrhea, nearly all affected piglets die
- C. difficile - dyspnea, abdominal distension, scrotal edema, yellow pasty diarrhea, majority of litters affected
How is Clostridial enteritis treated?
- antibiotics - Penicillin, Ampicillin
- antitoxin to C. perfringens type C helpful for outbreaks
- fluids with dextrose
- NSAIDs
How is Clostridial enteritis transmitted?
C. perfringens type A - normal comensal in gut
C. perfringens type C - spread from sow to piglets via spores in feces –> contamination of farrowing crates is a common source
How is Clostridial enteritis prevented?
- vaccine available for type A and C in sows (give booster 2-3 weeks prior to farrowing)
- medicated sow feed to limit spread
- sterilize farrowing areas
What age of pigs are commonly affected by ETEC?
1 day to post-weaning - most common 0-4 days
What are some signs of ETEC enteritis?
- secretory diarrhea - watery, clear, white, yellow, or brown
- vomiting
- depression, lethargy
What is considered a confirmation of ETEC diagnosis? What are some other options?
culture, fimbrial adhesion ID, and toxin ID
- gut tissue histopath shows G- rods adhered to jejunum and ileum
- alkaline diarrhea
How is ETEC enteritis treated? How is it prevented?
antibiotics (Ceftiofur) and fluid therapy with electrolytes and glucose
- vaccination of sows and gilts
- ensure piglets ingest quality colostrum
- provide ambient temperature of 86-93 F –> colder slows peristaltic activity
- sanitation, disinfection, and farrowing crate hygiene
What are 2 characteristic parts of ETEC’s virulence?
- adhesive fimbriae (pili) that adhere to gut epithelium
- enterotoxins induce movement of fluid into gut lumen
What causes transmissible gastroenteritis in pigs? What are characteristic signs?
Coronavirus –> 1 day old to adults
- transient vomiting
- watery, yellow, fetid diarrhea + curds of milk
- pigs >3 weeks tend to survive but are poor doers for some times
When is transmissible gastroenteritis most commonly seen? In what herds is it less of a problem?
winter (rare in summer as sunlight kills the organism)
endemic herds - natural exposure allows herd to develop immunity and sows pass antibodies to piglets
How is transmissible gastroenteritis diagnosed? What are 3 necropsy findings?
pig sacrificed for necropsy + detection of viral antigen in small intestine
- villous atrophy of small intestines, especially in the jejunum and ileum
- stomach distended with curdled milk and congested
- thin-walled small intestine filled with foamy fluid
How is transmissible gastroenteritis treated?
- fluids with electrolytes and glucose
- warm, dry environment
- antibiotics for secondary infection
- cross-suckling piglets to sows with good colostral antibodies
What acts as carriers to transmissible gastroenteritis?
- carrier pigs
- subclinical infections
- dogs, cats, foxes, starlings
A 5 day old piglet developed yellowish diarrhea. Colonic edema was found on necropsy. What is the likely pathogen that caused this?
a. C. perfringens type C
b. Coronavirus
c. C. difficule
C
Which neonatal pig diarrhea etiologic agent is spread by starlings?
a. C. perfringens type A
b. Coronavirus
c. E. coli
B
(TGE)
A 3 day old piglet developed bloody diarrhea. What is the most likely etiologic agent?
a. C. perfringens type A
b. Coronavirus
c. E. coli
d. C. perfringens type C
D
Profuse diarrhea developed in a gilt’s litter within 3 hours of birth. What is the most likely etiologic agent?
a. C. difficile
b. E. coli
c. Coronavirus
B
What age of pigs are most commonly affected by Rotavirus? What are characteristic signs?
1-6 weeks - avg. 19 days
mild yellow or white diarrhea for 2-3 days
How is Rotavirus transmitted? What is essential for prevention?
fecal oral
- sanitation and disinfection of farrowing areas
- booster sows and gilts in late gestation with MLV
Which of the following control measures is the most important for Rotavirus control?
a. biosecurity to keep it out
b. medicated feed
c. sanitation and disinfection
C
What age of pigs are most commonly affected by Cryptosporidiosis? What signs are associated? How is it prevented?
3 days to weaning (up to 12 weeks)
usually subclinical, but can develop nonhemorrhagic diarrhea
sanitation to prevent fecal-oral transmission
What causes Coccidiosis in pigs? What ages are most commonly affected?
Isopora suis
5-15 days –> lifecycle is only 6-7 days
What signs are associated with Coccidiosis?
- yellowish gray diarrhea that is initially loos or pasty and becomes more fluid
- dehydration
- high morbidity, moderate mortality
NO blood in feces