PIG VIRAL DISEASES, A list of the commonly diagnosedhttps://vetcallservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pigpiccrowd-1.jpg725544SefaSefahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e1cb27ac7307da991abb6e15c7a3b83c?s=96&d=mm&r=g
As upcoming pig producers, the health of your animals plays a key role in the success of your farm. There are numerous viral diseases. However, today’s article focuses on some of the most common viral infections that you may encounter on your farm. Immediately alert your veterinarian when you suspect any of the underlisted diseases on your farm.
African swine fever: a viral disease of the Asfaviridae family. Disease can cause 100% mortality in a herd.
Classical swine fever: This viral disease affects pigs of all ages and has similar signs to African Swine fever.
Vesicular stomatitis: The disease is transmitted usually via insects such as mosquitoes, sand flies and black flies. It is a zoonotic disease.
Aujeszky’s disease: It is a nervous disease of pigs. High mortalities can be recorded in piglets.
Foot-and-mouth disease: Signs include lameness as well as blisters on the snout, feet, and tongue.
The Nipah virus: It affects the respiratory and central nervous system of pigs. The condition is known as “Barking Pig Syndrome” or Porcine Respiratory Encephalitic Syndrome (PRES). It is a zoonotic disease
The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS): It is caused by an RNA virus of the Arteriviridae family. Signs include respiratory distress, stillbirths, and late term abortions.
Swine pox: It belongs to the Poxviridae family. It is characterised by vesicular lesions on the flanks, ears, and abdomen.
Porcine parvovirus infection: One of the major reproductive diseases in pigs. Signs include mummified foetuses, decreased litter size and stillbirth.
The Swine vesicular disease: it is caused by an enterovirus belonging to the Picornaviridae family. The disease can easily be confused with foot and mouth disease and vesicular stomatitis.
Iron toxicity, a common Poisoning problem in Piglets and how to mitigate ithttps://vetcallservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Screenshot_20230303_205757_Opera-Mini-1.jpg610464SefaSefahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e1cb27ac7307da991abb6e15c7a3b83c?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Injecting a piglet with iron dextran
Iron injections or iron dextran shots are usually administered to piglets between the first and seventh day of birth. This corrects the development of iron deficiency in piglets, which results in anaemia. Piglets are usually born with low iron reserves and the sows’ milk unfortunately is low in iron. During pregnancy, some sows or gilts become deficient in Vitamin E and/or selenium (which aids in preventing iron toxicity). This results in the birth of piglets deficient in Vitamin E and Selenium and it subsequently poses a threat for such piglets who receive iron injections. The enzymes which metabolise the iron cannot function leading to the accumulation and subsequent toxicity of iron in the body.
Clinical signs
The affected piglet is lame with dark swelling around injection site. About 50% or more of the litter die within a few hours.
Treatment
Whilst inferior quality iron dextran poses a threat to piglets, deficiency of selenium and vitamin E is a major concern.
Once vitamin E or selenium deficiency has been diagnosed, piglets should be injected with vitamin E/selenium according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Sows within the last month of pregnancy should be injected with vitamin E. At least two weeks before farrowing.
Control and Prevention
Excessive oxidation of feed as a result of poor storage of cereals, or the accumulation of moisture in feed troughs which have not been cleaned out is the most common cause of low vitamin E status.
Always check the sources and storage facilities of all feed grains and ensure feed troughs are regularly cleaned out
Coccidiosis in pigs – an under diagnosed cause of porcine diarrhoeahttps://vetcallservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Screenshot_20230303_090040_Opera-Mini.jpg720567SefaSefahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e1cb27ac7307da991abb6e15c7a3b83c?s=96&d=mm&r=g
yellowish pasty diarrhoea
COCCIDIOSIS IN PIGS
Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease affecting the digestive system of pigs. Although all growth stages of pigs can be affected by this disease, piglets are most susceptible to this condition. the protozoa Eimeria spp, Isospora spp and Cryptosporidia spp causes Coccidiosis in pigs and can produce oocyst which is shed through the faeces of an infected pig.
The shed oocyst is the primary source of infection. Once in a conducive environment, the oocyst undergoes development to be infective when ingested by an animal. In the intestines of an infected animal, further development and multiplication of the parasite occurs resulting in the production of several oocysts which are subsequently shed again in the faeces, contaminating the environment. This process of reproduction of the parasite in the walls of the intestines destroy and erode the intestinal lining, preventing proper nutrient and fluid absorption. This leads to diarrhoea, loss of weight, and death. In housing facilities where proper sanitary and biosecurity protocols are not adhered to, the parasite spreads rapidly. Warm and moist environments also facilitate the multiplication of the parasite, especially in farrowing pens and litter crates
CLINICAL SIGNS
– Foul smelling diarrhoea. Consistency and colour may vary from yellow to grey, green or bloody, depending on severity of the damage to the intestinal lining.
– Dehydration as a result of severe loss of fluids
– Undersized or underweight piglets
– Mortalities (this occurs especially with secondary infections caused by bacteria or viruses)
grey pasty diarrhoea
PREVENTION
Establishing an effective hygiene program for your farm is key in preventing this disease.
– Use disinfectants (Ammonium compound/Bleach/oo-cide) to thoroughly clean the housing facility
– Keep the pen as dry as possible and litter in the pens should be changed frequently.
– Farrowing pens should be thoroughly disinfected and aired before sow farrows
– Cleaning of pens should be done daily. The order should be from uninfected pens to infected pens. Also, pens of younger animals should be cleaned first before moving to pens of older animals.
– farmers must keep Creep Feed in feeders which can easily be used by piglets and not on the floor
– farmers should properly disposed off fecal waste from farm and not close to farm.
