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Edema disease (colienterotoxemia) is an acute infectious disease of piglets, mainly weaned piglets and characterized by damage to the central nervous system, digestive organs, the appearance of edema in various organs and tissues of the piglet, impaired coordination of movements, convulsions, paresis, paralysis, congestive hyperemia of the skin of the piglet, ears , limbs and abdomen.

The causative agent is enteropathogenic beta-hemolytic strains of Escherichia coli, which produce B-hemolysin. E. coli is quite stable in the external environment; in water, soil, manure and livestock buildings it can persist for 1-2 months; when heated to 76 degrees, E. coli is destroyed in 15-20 seconds. Conventional disinfectants destroy E. coli within minutes.

Epizootological data. The lesion occurs mainly in piglets aged 8-12 weeks, after weaning from sows. During an acute outbreak of the disease, isolated cases of illness and death are observed in suckling piglets and among fattening pigs. Moreover piglets with good body condition are more susceptible to edema disease. The disease usually appears suddenly on a farm, more often in the warm season, and can be repeated on a farm for several years in a row, accompanied by high mortality (from 20 to 100%).

The duration of edema disease on the farm depends on time and practiced on the farm weaning method piglets, as well as from feeding conditions in the pre- and post-weaning periods. Usually, most often we see an outbreak of edematous disease in period of round farrowing during weaning of piglets from sows and it continues from 1 to 3 weeks.

Edema disease characterized by its sudden appearance among weaned piglets with the onset of symptoms swelling of the eyelids and paresis of the limbs leading to the death of piglets. The disease of piglets with edema disease mainly occurs with 7th to 20th day after weaning piglets from a sow. The disease continues 7-10days and stops as suddenly as it appeared.

Predisposes to the disease of piglets with edema disease - concentrated type of feeding, early weaning of piglets from sows, lack of exercise, imbalance of the diet in microelements.

On a pig farm source of infection hemolytic Escherichia coli are bacteria-carrying sows and piglets obtained from them.

Pathogenesis. Edema disease develops as a result of rapid proliferation of hemolytic Escherichia coli in the intestines of piglets, as a result of developing acute intoxication of the body with bacterial and feed toxins formed in the intestines. In piglets, vascular disorders occur due to acute heart failure, a decrease in albumin occurs in the blood, leading to a deterioration in the retention of water in the bloodstream and its release into the surrounding tissues, as a result of which edema appears in various organs and tissues of the piglet.

Swelling of brain tissue causes in a piglet nervous disorders, which appear - convulsions, paralysis, ataxia, decreased sensitivity, etc.

Clinical signs. Incubation (hidden) period in sick piglets it lasts several hours (6-10 hours). The disease usually begins in the pigsty spicy.

The first clinical signs, depending on the age of the piglets, are manifested by a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract in younger piglets, and in older piglets - symptoms of damage to the nervous system. Most scientists include the appearance of symptoms as the earliest signs of the onset of edematous disease in piglets. swelling of the eyelids and head. According to the form of its course, edematous disease is usually distinguished as hyperacute, acute and chronic.

Hyperacute course edematous disease is characterized sudden death of piglets. The attendants in a group of weaned piglets, where the day before all the piglets were practically healthy and ate well, find the corpses of well-fed piglets in the pens the next morning. In the future, cases of sudden death of piglets are recorded by service personnel during the day. This is how the enzootic edematous disease begins on a pig farm or complex. Practically simultaneously in cells piglets appear with symptoms of edema and central nervous system disorder.

Acute course- is the most common form of edematous disease in piglets. The disease begins with increase in body temperature to 40.5-41o C and development nerve phenomena. In piglets, they are especially pronounced swelling of the eyelids, gait becomes unsure, shaky, muscle tremors appear; sick piglets bury themselves in the litter; When examining such piglets, we note that they have arena movements which are joined paralysis of limbs. As a result of sharp sound stimulation, sick piglets shudder, until they develop epileptic seizures. Cardiac activity is disrupted, tachycardia appears - up to 200 beats per minute. Breathing is rapid and difficult. As a result of the weakening of cardiac activity in piglets before death, we note the development congestion (cyanosis of the patch, neck and abdominal area). The ultimate cause of death for a piglet is asphyxia. The acute form of edematous disease lasts from several hours to a day, the mortality rate is from 90 to 100%.

Chronic course happens in pigs more older age groups, and in permanently unfavorable farms due to edematous disease in piglets. Such sick piglets have a depressed state, weakened appetite, and there are cases of laying. Piglets that have had the chronic form sometimes recover on their own. Piglets that have recovered from this form of edematous disease sometimes experience complications in the form of - lameness, neck curvature. Such piglets in the future are lagging behind in development and growth.

Pathological changes. When autopsying piglets that died from edematous disease, they have good nutrition. In the area of ​​the snout, ears and lower abdomen we find stagnation. At autopsy we find swelling in the subcutaneous tissue of the eyelids, around the eyes, in the forehead, base of the ears and back of the head, in the abdominal organs.

When opening the thoracic and pericardial cavities, we reveal increased amount straw color liquid with fibrin flakes. When the lungs are cut, a foamy liquid mixed with blood flows out. Under the pleura, epicardium and endocardium we find isolated pinpoint hemorrhages.

The abdominal cavity contains an increased amount yellowish liquid with fibrin flakes, fibrin threads are also found among intestinal loops. Stomach wall, especially in the pyloric area thickened and swollen, up to 2-4 cm or more. The stomach is often filled with dense, dry, crumbly food masses. Mesenteric vessels along their entire length injected and edematous. The mesentery is more severely swollen between the loops of the colon - while gelatinous fluid completely covers the intestinal loops. The mucous membrane of the stomach and small intestine is swollen, sometimes hyperemic with hemorrhages. The mucous membrane of the large intestine is diffusely hyperemic with hemorrhages. More often, veterinary specialists register edema in animals that were forced to die.

Lymph nodes, especially mesenteric lymph nodes, are enlarged, swollen, juicy, colored on the section mosaic in bright red color, granular. Lungs are edematous, in a state of congestive hyperemia. Under the pleura hemorrhages. Heart – enlarged, under epicardial and endocardial hemorrhages. In the liver and kidneys we note venous congestion, dystrophy.

Diagnosis. The diagnosis of edematous disease is made based on symptoms characteristic of the disease, autopsy data and results laboratory research with highlighting beta-hemolytic Escherichia coli.

Differential diagnosis. When diagnosing edematous disease, piglets must be excluded , epizootic encephalomyelitis,, , , feed and salt poisoning, vitamin deficiencies and. Aujeszky's disease is characterized by disturbances in nervous activity, high mortality and damage to suckling piglets. During autopsy, there is only pulmonary edema, in the absence of edema of the stomach wall and mesentery of the colon; in addition, during autopsy of piglets that died from Aujeszky, we find foci of necrosis in the liver the size of a millet grain.

Enzootic encephalomyelitis, in addition to damage to the nervous system, is accompanied by vomiting with the release of viscous saliva from the oral cavity. In addition, due to paralysis of the bladder, the bladder is full of urine.

The final diagnosis is made for Aujeszky after performing a bioassay on young cats and rabbits, and with enzootic encephalomyelitis - on piglets.

We exclude listeriosis based on the autopsy results and the absence of small, yellowish-whitish foci in the liver, lymph nodes and spleen, predominantly affecting suckling and weaned piglets. During bacteriological examination we isolate the pathogen - listeria.

In case of poisoning of piglets with table salt, upon autopsy we find only inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

When piglets are poisoned with gossypol, the piglets show signs of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.

Immunity has not been studied enough. A aluminum hydroxide formol vaccine has been proposed from 9 strains of different serogroups of Escherichia coli.

Treatment. Treatment of piglets with edema disease should be started as early as possible, when the first signs of the disease appear (lethargy, refusal to feed, increased body temperature, swelling and redness of the eyelids). At the pigsty we organize and conduct regular examinations and thermometry piglets 5-8 days before weaning and for the first time 10-15 days after weaning. All identified we separate sick piglets into separate pens, with abundant bedding, we form small groups in the pens. Sick piglets for 8-12 hours appoint starvation diet, using laxative salts. To reduce intoxication we give magnesium sulfate 25-40g per dose. At the same time, piglets should have free access to water. Add to drinking water 5-7% Glauber's salt. To free the intestines from feces containing endotoxins and histamine of microbial origin, we do deep enemas. In the diet reduce the amount of concentrates by half. We administer intramuscularly to sick piglets as an antihistamine. diphenhydramine in the form of a 1% solution 2-4ml morning and evening. With the aim of reducing the porosity of blood vessels we give sick piglets inside 5-10% solution of calcium chloride, a tablespoon twice a day. Some veterinary specialists, instead of calcium chloride, intraperitoneally or intramuscularly inject a 10% solution of calcium gluconate in a dose of 15-20 ml, with the addition of 10 ml of a 1% solution of novocaine. To suppress the development of beta-hemolytic Escherichia coli orally to sick piglets for the treatment of edematous disease antibiotics are used, including modern cephalosporins and sulfa drugs. Given the selective sensitivity of hemolytic Escherichia coli to antibiotics, before prescribing a course of antibiotic therapy, it is necessary determine the sensitivity of an isolated E. coli culture to antibiotics. Some farms are getting good results from combination therapy - antibiotics with vitamin B preparations(B1, B12 - intramuscularly 2 times a day.) or with anti-stress medications(aminazine, diphenhydramine, prednisolone). To increase diuresis, reduce the activity of cellular barriers and accelerate the release of toxic substances through the blood, hexamethylenetetramine is prescribed to sick piglets (urotropin) in the form of a 40% solution 10ml 1-2 times a day intraperitoneally.

To restore the normal microbial landscape in the intestines and strengthen the antagonist of Escherichia coli - lactic acid microorganisms, we give sick piglets orally acidophilus broth culture 50-60 ml three times a day.

We administer to severely sick piglets heart medications(caffeine sodium benzoate under the skin - 1 ml of a 10% solution, cordiamine - 0.2-0.3 ml twice a day), for nervous phenomena(convulsions) we administer subcutaneously or intramuscularly 0.5-1 ml of 30% analgin solution.

Prevention and control measures. Successful control of edematous disease in piglets on the farm will be effective only with strict implementation of a whole range of zootechnical and veterinary measures. For these purposes, farm specialists need to organize complete and varied feeding of sows and piglets, paying special attention to vitamin and mineral nutrition. Reduced to pig herd diet necessary balance protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Of great importance in prevention is timely training of suckling piglets beginning from 7-10 days of life for feeding. At pig-breeding complexes, compound feed is used for this purpose. SK-11-14. In small farms, suckling piglets from 10-15-days of age We give mineral and vitamin supplements: chalk, bone meal, fish oil, grated carrots, yeast, hay meal, clover hay leaves, etc.

In order to prevent the effects of stress on piglets from sows we take away gradually, leaving them at the weaning site 10-15days and only after that they are transferred to another room for rearing. We feed the piglets the same feed as before weaning from the sow. The temperature should be the same as in the last days of the suckling period. In pig farms, usually during an outbreak of edema disease in piglets, they resort to feeding various medications and their mixtures, transferring the piglets to a certain feeding regimen. At large pig-breeding complexes, the following medicinal mixture is usually used: for 100 kg of feed, take 5 kg of sugar, 60 g of biomycin hydrochloride, 40 g of furozolidone, 200 g of sulfadimizine, 20 g of copper sulfate and 10 g of tylan. We feed this mixture daily for the first 8 days after weaning.

In mild cases diseases of piglets edematous disease sometimes occurs it is enough to translate weaned piglets on a restrictive feeding regimen: within 5-8 days, we transfer the piglets to feeding half the amount of feed or prescribe a starvation diet on the first day of weaning, followed by an increase in the diet to normal within 5-7 days. After each feeding of piglets, pig farmers must thoroughly clean the feeders and buckets of food residues, rinse them with boiling water and dry them. We constantly maintain cleanliness in the pigsties, carrying out daily mechanical cleaning of the premises from manure.

Manure from pigsties should be supplied to a manure storage facility for biothermal disinfection and subsequently used as fertilizer. When piglets become ill, we carry out ongoing disinfection in the pigsty at least once a week until the disease stops and the animals die. The following disinfectants are used: 3% sodium hydroxide solution at a temperature of 60 degrees; a solution of bleach with an active chlorine content of at least 5%, a 20% aqueous suspension of freshly slaked lime; 4% formaldehyde solution; 5% creolin solution. Recently, for high-quality disinfection of premises at complexes, it has been used modern disinfectant VIROCID. By using this product at a pig-breeding complex, you will carry out high-level disinfection with an effectiveness close to sterilization. This product can be used for disinfection in several ways: aerosol, spray, foam generation, cold fog, fumigation.

Working concentrations VIROCIDE: used for wet disinfection 0.25-0.5% solution (consumption 0.25-0.4 l/m2) during gassing 1 liter of VIROCID per 4 liters of water, the solution is sprayed onto 1000 cubic meters. The working solution is neutral, so subsequent rinsing is not required. If farm specialists need to carry out disinfection in the presence of animals, they must first contact specialists on this issue RABOS Intl LLC.

Before lifting the restrictions on edema disease, we carry out piglets into the pigsty premises thorough mechanical cleaning and final disinfection with quality control of the disinfection performed.

In a farm unfavorable due to edema disease, we introduce restrictive measures, under the terms of which we prohibit the sale and movement of pigs from a dysfunctional pigsty until 1 month has passed after the last case of death of piglets from edematous disease or provided that all piglets have recovered.

Edema disease of piglets is far from the last place in the list of the most dangerous and common ailments. Once it appears, it causes damage to farms and reminds itself for a long time with periodic outbreaks and death of livestock.

Edema disease of piglets is a dangerous disease that causes enormous damage to livestock farms.

The disease became widespread with the advent of compound feeds and premixes about 50 years ago, and today it is a huge problem in pig farming. Edema disease, or colibacillosis, is an infection that manifests itself as enteritis, blood poisoning and severe intoxication. Weaned and suckling piglets are primarily affected.

The disease is caused by pathogenic strains of the well-known Escherichia coli. During their life, bacteria produce hemo- and neurotoxins that affect the nervous and circulatory systems. In addition, in favorable conditions of stagnation of feed masses, the uncontrolled reproduction of other dangerous anaerobes (Salmonella, Protea) begins.

Risk group

Piglets suffer from edema before weaning or in the first couple of weeks after it, since their immune system is at the stage of formation. The pathogenic bacillus enters the environment mainly through the sow's feces, and is then ingested by the babies with food. Pigs older than one year do not suffer from edematous disease, but they can be carriers and sources of infection.

Predisposing factors:

• neglect of disease prevention and routine disinfection;
• feeding high-protein dry food with insufficient amounts of plant foods and dairy products;
• stress;
• lack of B vitamins and essential macroelements.

Improper care and feeding, neglect of prevention and stress often cause pathology.

Pathogenesis

When dry concentrated food prevails in the diet and there is a lack of fluid, the contents of the stomach do not have time to soften and evacuate into the intestines. Peristalsis is disrupted, semi-dry feed masses compress the vessels of the walls, the mucous membrane becomes anemic, which is accompanied by oxygen starvation. At the moment of stagnation, active reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms begins. The hemotoxins they release enter the bloodstream, vascular dystonia develops, their permeability increases, and edema appears. Along with this, colibacteria release neurotoxins that affect nerve cells, causing disorders in the nervous system.

Establishing diagnosis

A preliminary diagnosis is established based on epidemiological data, symptoms and analysis of previous factors. The final diagnosis is made only based on the conclusion of the veterinary laboratory, to which the corpses of piglets are sent.

It is also important to carry out differential diagnosis and exclude diseases with similar symptoms:

• Aujeszky's disease;
• giving birth;
• listeriosis;
• nervous form of plague;
• hypocalcemia;
• pasteurellosis;
• poisoning with feed mycotoxins and salts.

When diagnosing edematous disease, it is important to differentiate it from other pathologies.

Pathological changes

The corpses remain well nourished. The skin is clean, but on the peritoneum it acquires a bluish tint. Tissue swelling is found mainly on the head. The stomach is full, and its walls are thickened and saturated with a yellowish liquid. Edema and fullness of blood vessels are noted in the brain and membranes. In the chest and abdominal cavities there is excessive accumulation of exudate. The liver and spleen are slightly enlarged or of normal size. The kidneys are very hyperemic, red, and swollen.

Symptoms

The disease occurs in one of three forms with a characteristic clinical picture.

Hyperacute phase

Also called lightning. The piglet dies suddenly, the symptoms do not have time to appear. At the same time, babies with characteristic symptoms of an acute course are detected.

The ultra-fast phase of the edematous disease ends with the rapid death of the piglet.

Acute course

• It occurs with hyperthermia, the development of neuroparalytic phenomena and enteritis. In newborn piglets with colibacillosis, the stool is white or yellow; in weaned piglets, the stool takes on a dark tint.
• The gait becomes uncertain, shaky, and trembling or maneuvering movements are often noted.
• The piglets do not get up, paralysis develops, and epileptic seizures are sometimes observed.
• Swelling appears in the head area, the most pronounced swelling of the eyelids. Internal organs also swell.
• Breathing is heavy and rapid.
• The heartbeat can increase to 200 beats per minute.
• As a result of stagnation, the skin of the patch and abdominal area appears blue.

The cause of death is usually asphyxiation due to pulmonary edema.

The acute course of the disease is accompanied by multiple disorders, but also ends in death.

Chronic form

It occurs in older age groups and is characterized by a long course. Piglets are depressed, with a weak appetite, and often lie low. After recovery, they lag behind in development, and lameness or curvature of the neck may remain.

Treatment

The first thing to do is to isolate patients from clinically healthy people and introduce them to a starvation or semi-starvation diet. If the livestock is small, you can do a cleansing enema.

The therapy is aimed at killing pathogens, reducing intoxication, restoring peristalsis and removing excess fluid from tissues, preventing dehydration. All this can only be achieved through an integrated approach.

To treat sick piglets, regimens are usually developed that include several groups of drugs.

• Magnesia sulfate is given to relieve intoxication.
• On the first day, 5-7% Glauber's salt is added to the water to quickly cleanse the stomach and intestines.
• Antihistamines (1% Diphenhydramine) are prescribed to reduce the body's response to endotoxins released by the pathogen.
• Calcium chloride will help reduce vascular permeability. Sometimes it is replaced by an intramuscular injection of 10% calcium gluconate.
• A course of antibiotics (Neomycin, Polymyxin and others of the cephalosporin or tetracycline series) with sulfonamides or nitrofurans to which the pathogen is sensitive (Norsulfazole, Sulfadimethoxine, Fthalazol, etc.) is required. Ideally, it is necessary to determine the sensitivity of the isolated bacterium to antimicrobial agents, but often they use a trial selection method.
• For problems with the digestive tract, it is also reasonable to alternate injections of B vitamins.
• "Urotropin" 40% is prescribed to enhance diuresis and speedy elimination of toxic substances in the urine.
• To restore the microflora, as well as suppress the growth of pathogenic E. coli by improving the environment for lactic acid bacteria, piglets are fed an acidophilic culture.
• Heart medications (Cordiamin, caffeine) are prescribed to animals in serious condition.

In farms unaffected by edematous disease, the morbidity rate reaches 70%, and the mortality rate without treatment is 90-100%.

Various medications and regimens for their use are used to treat pathology.

Prevention

In this case, disinfection alone is not enough. The issue of prevention is approached comprehensively.

• Monitor the sanitary and hygienic condition of the premises, feeders and equipment.
• Follow the feeding technology recommended at this stage. The diet should not contain only dry high-protein feed, as well as a large amount of cow's milk.
• Minimize stress factors for young animals. The suckers are being weaned off gradually. They will have to stay at the weaning site for another 10 - 15 days, and then move to the nursery area. Monitor the temperature.
• Routine vaccinations, for example, with Serdosan or OKZ. Immunization of sows is carried out 30 - 40 days before farrowing. Suckers are vaccinated twice according to instructions. To stimulate the formation of antibodies, any immunomodulator is added to the vaccine.

It is important to remember that prevention is the main weapon in the fight against many diseases. Wanting to save money, many neglect important rules and tips for preventing the disease, but as a result they lose many times more.

Breeding poultry or animals is not an easy task. Raising piglets is a job that causes trouble. Especially when it comes to illness. Edema in piglets is considered one of the most unpleasant and dangerous diseases. If assistance is not provided in a timely manner, most of the herd may die. To prevent this from happening, you should know some nuances and carefully monitor the behavior of domestic pigs.

Symptoms of swelling in piglets

Edema disease in piglets appears as a result of non-compliance with the feeding regimen of small piglets and the vitamin content of food. The disease is caused by a lack of calcium in the diet of piglets. It happens that illness occurs due to a lack of fluid in the body. Since food enters the pig’s stomach every day, it begins to put pressure through the walls of the digestive tract on the organs that are closest. This provokes the production of histamine, which, when interacting with bacteria living in every living organism, causes swelling.

The disease is characterized by very rapid development. The incubation period takes a maximum of 10 hours.

The most striking symptoms of the disease are:

• Convulsions in a piglet;
• The animal begins to choke;
• Foam appears at the corners of the mouth;
• Severe intoxication;
• Malfunction of the central nervous system, etc.

Symptoms of swelling in piglets

The causative agents of the disease are toxins, which, when interacting with intestinal bacteria (salmonella), cause swelling of all organs in the pig. Edema in piglets can develop in two forms: typical and atypical.

A typical disease occurs with the following symptomatic changes in the body:

• A sharp increase in temperature, which returns to normal after a couple of hours;
• The animal's excitability increases. It begins to twitch, there are obvious signs of tremor;
• Convulsions appear, which are repeated several times in a short period of time;
• Photophobia is noted, as a result of which the piglet may go blind;
• Depressed state;
• The eyelids swell, the nose, forehead, and back of the head begin to swell;
• When the piglet moves, the head twitches;
• Lack of appetite;
• Lethargy;
• Spasms;
• Deep cough, etc.

If this disease is not treated in time, the piglets begin to convulse and die. Adults can survive from 3 to 5 days.

Symptoms in the atypical form are less difficult. The atypical course of the disease is characterized by the appearance of a tumor on the ears. There are also ailments in the heart area, breathing problems, and diarrhea.

Methods for treating swelling in piglets

Edema in piglets, symptoms and treatment take a short time if the disease was diagnosed in a short time. But what to do if the piglet is blind, or the piglets' ears are swollen? The reaction must be immediate. Otherwise, the risk of death of the entire herd increases significantly.

Edema disease

Treatment of edematous disease in piglets is complex. Sick individuals need to be injected with an antibiotic. It has a suppressive effect on the development of intestinal infection, which is the first cause of pork poisoning by toxins produced by the body. Antibiotics may have different names, but the active ingredient is sulfanilomide. In the absence of drugs with this active substance, swelling is treated with cephalosporin. In any case, medications are taken only as prescribed by a veterinarian. The treatment includes a complex of vitamins. In order to relieve neurological seizures, the pig is prescribed diphenhydramine or aminexin.

Due to the rapid nature of the disease, treatment should begin as soon as its symptoms are noticed. If cutoff symptoms are detected in a 4-month-old piglet, it should be isolated from the main stock. Moreover, treatment and preventive measures are needed not only for sick animals, but also for healthy ones.

A necessary condition for the treatment of sick individuals is that they are limited in any diet for 10-12 hours. They need to be given a laxative solution.

In order to reduce food poisoning caused by intoxication, piglets are given magnesium sulfate. It will help relieve swelling from the ear, remove muscle spasms, and reduce head twitching. The course duration is one week. For one pig there is from 25 to 40 grams. in one go.

Also, when treating piglets, medicinal solutions are used:

• 60 grams are dissolved in a bucket of water. Glauber's salt. This solution is used to cleanse the piglet's intestines.
• Twice a day, an injection of diphenhydramine is given intramuscularly, with a dosage of 4 ml.
• With an interval of 12 hours, the piglets are fed calcium chloride. At the same time, it is recommended to inject calcium gluconate with novocaine.
• Since it is recommended to drink large amounts of clean water during swelling, the pigs’ drinking bowl must be constantly filled.

Pathological anatomy during the autopsy of a piglet suffering from swelling reveals the following changes:

• Good weight;
• Congestion in the ear area;
• Accumulation of toxins in the lower abdomen;
• Stagnation of fluid in the area of ​​the patch;
• Swelling of the eyes, larynx, back of the head;
• There is an increased content of fluid with fibrin elements in the chest;
• There is mucus mixed with blood in the lungs;
• In the body as a whole, there are isolated pinpoint bruises.

Disease prevention

With swelling in piglets, most of the sick die. Immunity to the disease is not developed, so it is necessary to prevent the disease. Since the disease, in most cases, occurs due to poor nutrition, it is necessary to strictly monitor the vitamin composition of food. Dry and wet food must be kept in strict proportions. You can add probiotics and mineral supplements to your food. Piglets should be given milk in their diet with the addition of acedophilus paste.

Small piglets should not be abruptly separated from their mother. Complementary foods should be introduced gradually. For two weeks, the sow's milk is supplemented with complementary feeding products. Babies can also be taken away from their mother for short periods of time during the week. When they get used to the new conditions of detention, you can wean them off completely.

Small piglets should not be abruptly separated from their mother

Where to put weaned piglets? They are placed in separate cages where rearing is carried out. During an epidemic of swelling, the herd should be put on a strict diet. It is recommended to add medications to the feed, such as: biomycin, furazolidone, sulfadimizine, copper sulfate, thylan. This complex of medications has proven itself well in the diet of young animals. The course of treatment is one week.

During quarantine, you need to monitor the body temperature of piglets. A mercury thermometer is used. Temperature readings may vary slightly, but sudden changes should not be allowed.

You can also do a one-day fast for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

During the course of the disease, the following sanitary and technical standards are observed:

• Feeders are kept clean;
• Dishes intended for feeding pigs are treated with boiling water 2-3 times a day;
• The feeders are thoroughly dried;
• The location of the pigs is cleaned once a day;
• It is necessary to remove waste products from the cells once a day.

For preventive purposes, it is customary in pig farming to regularly disinfect pig premises.

New farmers should consult with veterinarians when symptoms are initially noticed. If a relapse occurs, you can carry out treatment measures yourself, using the drugs that were used the previous time.

Infectious diseases of pigs pose a particular danger to the farm. They spread with lightning speed, so that in a short period of time the virus can cover a large part of the population. In this case, the farmer is doomed to suffer heavy losses. He must have at least basic information about what infectious diseases pigs have and how they manifest themselves. This knowledge will help him respond in time and protect the livestock from the spread of infection.

Types of infectious diseases of pigs

Infectious diseases are caused by various pathogens - viruses, bacteria, pathogenic fungi. They enter the animal’s body through the digestive tract, microdamages on the skin, and sexually. The main characteristics of infectious diseases are:

1. They can quickly spread to healthy individuals.
2. The course of diseases usually has several stages - latent, precursor, acute, and the recovery stage.
3. After recovery, immunity to the pathogen is formed, thanks to antibodies that are produced in the blood of the recovered animal.

Most often, pigs become infected with the following infectious diseases:

• Viral gastroenteritis.
• Erysipelas.
• Circovirus infection.
• Paratyphoid.
• Aujeszky's disease.
• Edema disease of piglets.
• Dysentery.
• Parvovirus infection.
• Leptospirosis in pigs.

To have an idea about the causative agents of these ailments, their manifestations and prognosis, we will consider each point in detail.

Viral gastroenteritis

Transmissible gastroenteritis is caused by coronavirus. Getting into the digestive tract of pigs, it provokes inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

Infection of animals occurs mainly through the nutritional route during watering and eating food contaminated with microorganisms. The carriers of the virus are sick pigs, birds, rodents, and domestic animals.

Reference. Animals that have suffered viral gastroenteritis continue to excrete the virus in their feces and urine for 2-3 months.

The disease is most dangerous for suckling piglets; they die 3-5 days after infection. Consider the symptoms of viral gastroenteritis:

1. Loss of appetite.
2. Depressed state. Increase in temperature (usually short-term).
3. Vomit.
4. Diarrhea (liquid feces, greenish in color, their release occurs involuntarily).
5. Dehydration, manifested by sunken eyes, dry mucous membranes.
6. Lactating sows stop producing milk.

Treatment for viral gastroenteritis begins immediately. Sick pigs are immediately separated into an isolation room and feeding is stopped for a day. Furacilin or furazonal - antimicrobial agents - are given internally. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are administered intramuscularly. Since sick individuals lose a lot of fluid, it is necessary to restore water and electrolyte balance. Pigs are fed salted water. For frequent vomiting, solutions that replenish the lack of fluid and mineral salts are administered intravenously.

Food is offered only in liquid form. It is advisable to use sorbents to relieve symptoms of intoxication. When animals begin to recover, it is recommended to give them probiotics to normalize the microflora.

Erysipelas

Erysipelas is caused by a bacterium called Erisipelothrix insidiosa. It enters the body through the respiratory system, through the skin or through food. If the disease occurs in an acute form, it is characterized by the development of septicemia, endocarditis, skin necrosis and polyarthritis.

Outbreaks of erysipelas occur mainly in the warm season. Sources of infection are sick animals, contaminated food, and water. Most often, piglets under one year of age suffer from erysipelas. The course of the disease can be different, it depends on the degree of virulence of the pathogen, the age of the animal, the conditions of its detention, and the immune status.

Reference. The fulminant and acute course of the disease almost always ends in the death of pigs.

Symptoms of erysipelas in the acute form of the disease:

1. A sharp increase in temperature to 40.5-41 degrees.
2. Refusal to eat.
3. Oppression.
4. Chills.
5. Thirst.
6. Difficulty breathing.
7. Blueness of the skin in the neck and peritoneum.
8. The appearance of characteristic pink spots on the sides and back of the animal, which soon darken and become purple.
9. Skin necrosis.
10. Intestinal atony.

If erysipelas occurs subacutely, conjunctivitis and a rash on the body may develop. On the sides and back of a sick individual, bulges appear in the shape of triangles and diamonds, which merge over time.

Reference. The appearance of characteristic spots on a pig’s body is a good sign. Usually after this the animal feels better. Gradually the rash goes away and the condition stabilizes.

The chronic course of the disease is characterized by impaired cardiac function and the development of arthritis.

Treatment of erysipelas is carried out using anti-erysipelas serum and antibacterial agents. It is administered subcutaneously. The dosage is calculated based on the weight of the animal (approximately 1.5 ml per kilogram of weight). Penicillin antibiotics are administered intramuscularly:

1. Streptomycin.
2. Oxytetracycline.

To relieve symptoms, medications that stimulate the heart, intestines and nervous system will be used.

Attention! If infection with erysipelas is suspected, healthy individuals are immediately vaccinated, patients are kept separately in an isolation ward, the premises require disinfection with caustic soda or bleach solution.

Circovirus infection

This infectious disease affects piglets that have recently been weaned from their mother. The causative agent is a DNA-containing virus that multiplies in lymphoid tissue. The source of infection is sick individuals. The spread of infection is facilitated by crowded housing of animals, poor ventilation, often caused by early vaccination of piglets (before reaching two months of age). The virus is transmitted primarily by airborne droplets, sometimes from the sow.

Symptoms of circovirus infection:

1. The piglets sleep a lot and are weakened.
2. They are stunted and exhausted.
3. The sucking reflex is poorly developed.
4. The skin takes on a yellowish tint.
5. The ears are pale or even bluish.
6. Diarrhea.
7. Trembling is observed.
8. Impaired coordination of movements.
9. The manifestations of dermatitis on the skin are rashes and irregularly shaped spots.
10. Sometimes conjunctivitis develops.

Effective treatment for circovirus is still under development. For preventive purposes, vaccination of sows and piglets is recommended, however, it cannot be carried out immediately after weaning, when babies are susceptible to stress.

Paratyphoid

This disease is caused by salmonella bacteria. They enter the body of animals through the nutritional route - with food or water. The causative agent of paratyphoid is extremely resistant to external factors, so this disease is very difficult to treat. The disease affects piglets under six months of age and causes changes in the circulatory and nervous systems and is accompanied by severe intoxication of the body. Paratyphoid fever occurs predominantly in a chronic form, but in animals with low immunity, including small piglets, the course of the disease is acute.

Symptoms of swine paratyphoid:

1. A sharp increase in temperature to 41.5 degrees or more.
2. Loss of appetite.
3. The animal is depressed and lies buried in the litter.
4. The stubble is tousled.
5. Skin tone changes from pink to gray.
6. Diarrhea.
7. Eczema.
8. Feces are foul-smelling and gray-green in color.
9. Closer to the final stage of the disease, the skin on the ears and neck acquires a bluish tint.

Reference. With acute paratyphoid fever, piglets have practically no chance of survival. Death occurs within a few days.

In a chronic course, the symptoms are smoother, there is diarrhea, which is often replaced by constipation, and the animal loses weight.

To treat paratyphoid fever, antibiotics (chloramphenicol, tetracycline) and nitrofurans are used, as well as a special serum containing antibodies to the pathogen. Vaccination helps prevent outbreaks. It is carried out on suckling piglets that have reached the age of 20 days, twice with an interval of 8 days.

Aujeszky's disease

This infectious disease is caused by a DNA-containing herpesvirus. Piglets under two months of age are most at risk of infection. Infection occurs both through nutrition and through the respiratory system, mucous membranes and lesions on the skin. The source of the virus is sick animals or virus carriers (recovered individuals who continue to excrete pathogens in urine, feces, and mucus for several weeks after recovery). Mortality is quite high - only 4-5% of piglets survive. Aujeszky's disease is accompanied by disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, as the virus penetrates the brain of animals and multiplies there.

Symptoms of Aujeszky's disease in piglets (acute course):

1. Fever.
2. Excitement, severe anxiety.
3. Hard breath.
4. Copious secretion of foamy saliva.
5. Sneezing.
6. Pigs take unnatural positions for them, perform swimming movements, lying on their sides.
7. Convulsive syndrome.
8. Paralysis of the limbs, larynx.

In adults, the disease is much milder; animals recover within a few days. Symptoms include loss of appetite, depression, cough (the disease is complicated by pneumonia).

There is no effective treatment regimen. Practice has shown that the use of immunoglobulins does not give the expected result. To prevent the development of pneumonia, it is recommended that sick animals be given antibiotics and vitamins. After recovery, adults are virus carriers.

Edema disease of piglets

The causative agent of edema disease is Escherichia coli. After entering the pig's body, it affects the digestive organs and the central nervous system. Toxins released by pathogenic bacteria cause vascular dystonia and hemostasis. As a result, the tissues do not receive enough oxygen and fluid accumulates in them. Edema forms not only under the skin, but also in the internal organs and brain. Edema disease mainly affects weaned piglets.

Symptoms:

1. Temperature rises to 42 degrees.
2. Anxiety.
3. Skin sensitivity is increased (piglets squeal when touched).
4. Muscle spasms in the limbs and neck.
5. Subsequently, swelling of the eyelids, frontal part, nose, and ears is observed.
6. Refusal of food.
7. Diarrhea or vomiting.
8. Signs of heart failure - the pulse quickens, but the beats are weak.
9. The skin of the ears, snout, and peritoneum turns blue.
10. Shortness of breath develops.
11. Shortly before death, seizures and muscle paralysis may begin.

To treat edema, broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs, as well as nitrofurans, are used. Antihistamines are administered intramuscularly. Piglets are given methenamine to reduce vascular permeability. There is no specific treatment regimen or drugs for edema disease yet.

Dysentery

Dysentery is an infectious disease caused by a spirochete, an anaerobic bacterium. Outbreaks are most often reported in winter and spring, when pigs' immune systems are somewhat weakened. The infection enters the body through the nutritional route. By multiplying in the intestines, it causes disruption of the digestive tract, diarrhea, and intoxication of the body. The disease affects pigs of any age, but young animals are especially at risk of infection. Mortality among one-month-old piglets reaches 100%.

Symptoms:

1. Severe diarrhea (watery gray-green stool with blood).
2. Dehydration (eyes sunken, mucous membranes dry).
3. Thirst.
4. Weakness, unsteady gait.
5. Pale skin.
6. Sometimes there is vomiting.
7. Exhaustion.

Treatment is carried out with drugs to which the spirochete is sensitive. For example, Osarsolom. Along with this, Furazolidone is also used, since in dysentery other pathogenic microflora predominate in the intestines.

Parvovirus infection

This disease is unique to pigs and is caused by a pathogen belonging to the genus Parvovirus. Clinical manifestations of the disease are observed only in females. These include:

1. Abortion.
2. Low fertility.
3. Stillbirth.
4. Mummification of fruits.

Parvovirus infection occurs through contact with sick animals or virus carriers, as well as through the placenta from a sow. No treatment has been developed for this disease. As a preventative measure, a vaccine containing inactivated viruses is used.

Leptospirosis in pigs

This disease is caused by the motile spirochete Leptospira. Microorganisms are represented by many species. The pathogen enters the body of pigs through the digestive tract, skin and sexual contact. The spirochetes remain in the blood for some time, and after the production of antibodies they settle in the animal’s kidneys. Leptospirosis leads to the birth of dead fetuses, early abortions or the birth of non-viable piglets.

Clinical signs of infection are similar to influenza:

1. The animal is depressed.
2. The temperature is elevated.
3. No appetite.
4. Diarrhea or constipation may occur.
5. Conjunctivitis.
6. Abortions occur in pregnant pigs within a month after infection.

Streptomycin, as well as some derivatives of tetracycline and penicillin, are used to treat leptospirosis. Antibiotics are administered intramuscularly. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to vaccinate against leptospirosis, after which the body’s resistance to the pathogen remains for 6-12 months.

Infectious diseases can cause very large losses to a farm. Young animals are especially at risk. This is why it is wise to try to prevent their spread on the farm. It is necessary to carry out routine vaccination of livestock in a timely manner. This measure will help avoid mass infection with dangerous infections.

Typically, a sick pig can be identified by the following signs:

• Cannot eat or shows no interest in food/water
• Breathing quickly is a sign of fever
• In white breeds of pigs, the skin may take on a reddish tint.
• The pig may have diarrhea, sometimes bloody or with blood clots
• Ears drooping or drooping
• Dull eyes
• Greasy stubble and skin
• Limp Tail
• The pig stays away from the others

Worms are one of the most serious threats to pig production. There are more than thirty varieties that affect the intestines of pigs. Of these, the two most common are intestinal roundworms and tapeworms (tapeworms).

Roundworms (roundworms)

Symptoms

• Anorexia in later stages
• State of anemia
• When the worms die after treatment, they can block the intestines and cause sudden death of the pig

Prevention

Tapeworms

Finnosis (cysticercosis) in pigs is caused by tapeworms living in their muscles. They usually do not harm the pig too much, but can cause pain and possibly difficulty moving. If a person eats undercooked or undercooked contaminated pork, tapeworms will develop inside the person and can cause severe illness.

Symptoms

• Anorexia in later stages
• State of anemia
• Weight loss in later stages
• After treatment, dead worms can block the intestines, causing sudden death of the pig

Prevention

• It is useful to carry out medical control of feed and ensure clean and dry pens
• Carry out grazing rotation and periodic disinfection of pastures
• Separate young and adult pigs
• Wash sows before farrowing.
• Periodically carry out deworming - with chemical or herbal preparations

Scabies

This disease is caused by small mites that live on the skin. They cause severe itching and irritation. Judicious scabies (sarcoptic mange) of pigs is present today in all major countries where pig farming is widespread. Lesions, or scabs, on the skin of animals can appear on any part of the body, but usually the first signs begin on the head, around the eyes, nose or ears. Damage to the skin can cause hyperkeratosis and peeling of the epidermis.

Symptoms

• The pig begins to itch and scratch, rubbing against the walls of the barn and other objects. Mainly affected are the neck, skin between the legs, around the eyes and ears.
• The stubble is dull, bald spots are visible, heavy scabs appear, lines appear on the body that look like ribs
• The pig shows restlessness and constantly scratches itself, to the point of serious consequences
• Red pimples appear on the skin, turning into crusts and scabs. Later, the skin looks very rough, thickened and covered with multi-layered scratches. There may be red spots or bite wounds on the skin
• In severe cases, especially in piglets, anemia
• In the most severe cases, death

Prevention

• Before farrowing, wash your sow at least twice a week.
• Boars should be washed at least four times a year.
• Inspect gilts upon transfer to the farm and each time during maintenance.
• If scabies has already become a problem on the farm, wash all pigs at the beginning of fattening.
• Feeding your pets properly and following a health program will help ease the severity of mange and prevent the spread of the disease. Recommended medications are ivermectin (1% injection solution) or malathion (1% spray).
• Maintain general cleanliness at all times

Treatment

Symptoms

• Red spots or bite wounds may be visible on the skin
• The pig's skin thickens and the hair becomes coarser
• In severe cases - anemia, especially in piglets

Prevention

• General cleanliness
• Inspect piglets before transfer to finishing facilities
• Inspect gilts before first service
• Examine boars twice a year
• Inspect new shipments of pigs twice: immediately upon arrival and again a week later.

Treatment

• A very effective remedy against lice is a 0.1-0.25% solution of the insecticide benzene hexachloride. The treatment must be repeated after 7 days, since the insecticide kills only adult insects, not eggs.
• Another effective method is to soak a piece of burlap in kerosene (some use used motor oil or crude oil) and coat the pig with it thickly - the kerosene kills both adult lice and nits, so re-treatment is not necessary.

Myases

These diseases are caused by flies that lay their eggs in wounds. The eggs hatch into larvae, they feed on the animal's flesh, develop within it, pupate and separate as adults, creating more of a wound.

Symptoms

• Infected wounds appear very wet and dirty, and their edges may be covered with a gray mass of fly eggs.
• Later, writhing larvae in the form of pinkish worms can be observed in the wound
• Pigs show irritation and look for something to scratch themselves on.
• Death is likely

Prevention and treatment

• Clean the wound daily with water and disinfectants, then treat the wound and its edges with an insecticide
• It's best to use a long-lasting insecticide such as diazinon or supona
• It is very important to prevent scratching of wounds - walls and floors must be level
• Do not use sharp objects
• Avoid overcrowding the pen to prevent fighting among pigs
• For any even minor operations, such as tail docking and castration, the wounds must be properly treated and the umbilical cord must be disinfected

Deworming

Dewormers that are approved for use today are effective and safe when used as directed on the label. These include ivermectin, fenbendazole, levamisole, pyrantel, dichlorvos and piperazine. In what cases to use these substances, see the table:

Deworming should be carried out for all breeding animals before mating, for gilts and sows - during the pre-feeding period, for piglets - in order to prevent infection with roundworms (Strongyloides sp.). Weaned and growing pigs should be dewormed one or more times. Organize specific strategic schedules with your veterinarian.

• Boars - every 6 months
• Sows - 2 weeks before farrowing and after weaning piglets
• Piglets - 1 week after weaning
• Fattening pigs - 1 week after weaning and three months later
• Gilts - 1 week post-weaning, 3 and 7 months of age, at least 2 weeks before service

Prevention of lice, flies, scabies

• Clean sows using hexachlorane preparations (synonyms - lindane, or gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane)
• Treat the animal with insecticides four days before farrowing, after brushing the pig beforehand.
• Feed animals properly and follow pig sanitation practices to reduce the severity and spread of infestations
• Recommended medications to prevent infection are ivermectin (1% injection) or malathion (1% spray)

Reproductive disorders and diseases

Loss of sexual desire and potency

When a pig doesn't go into heat

Prevention

• Improve nutrition, feed pigs food rich in minerals
• Deworm animals regularly
• Allow the female to stay with the boar

Treatment

Examine sows on the day of weaning, or in very severe cases 3 weeks after weaning. Repeated treatment does not make sense.

Leptospirosis

Symptoms

• Fever, anorexia, diarrhea, bloody urine, nervous symptoms caused by meningitis
• Abortion in the last trimester
• Sows infected during pregnancy give birth to weak piglets
• Mummified and macerated fruits are common in litter

Prevention and treatment

• Elimination of ticks, rats and other vectors
• Vaccination and hygiene
• Not all types of diseases can be vaccinated and it cannot prevent bloody urine.
• Before service, inspect all sows and treat them with streptomycin
• Use antibiotics, especially streptomycin, for all ages

Brucellosis

Symptoms

• Anorexia, fever, pelvic paralysis, sometimes lameness, early abortion (returns to estrus 5-8 weeks after service as a result of infection during service)
• Infection late in pregnancy results in litters with mummified fetuses, stillborn or weak piglets
• Bloody discharge from the vulva and endometritis
• Retained placenta
• Boars typically develop orchitis (inflammation of one or both testicles) and epididymitis within seven days of infection.
• The testicles become swollen and painful, which can lead to permanent sterility.

Prevention and treatment

• Prevention is based on hygiene measures and purchasing animals only from a healthy herd
• Brucellosis can never be treated with antibiotics
• No treatment or vaccination is 100% effective. It is necessary to slaughter all animals, and get new ones no earlier than in one month

Uterine prolapse

Symptoms

• The appearance of the uterus outside the vulva.

Prevention and treatment

• It is often not possible to straighten a prolapsed uterus, as it is very traumatic. The best treatment here is to amputate the entire uterus. However, 50% of animals will not survive this operation, so consider slaughtering the pig.

Mastitis

The bacterial infection causes inflammation of the mammary gland and leads to changes in milk production. These bacteria enter open wounds in the udder.

Symptoms

• Swollen, hot and painful udder
• Absence or decreased milk production in the affected udder
• The sow refuses to feed the piglets. As a result, the piglets squeal from hunger
• The sow is depressed and often has fevers

Prevention

• Provide adequate bedding
• Keep the pig pen clean, dry and free of sharp objects, and trim the tusks of day-old piglets.

Treatment

• Gently massage the affected udder with warm water
• Do not allow juveniles to suckle from an infected sow
• Discard milk from infected udders
• Separate sows from piglets, reduce access to teats (multiple piglets can be allowed to nurse at the same time
• If possible, give piglets from sick pigs to lactating sows
• Use antibiotics
• Inject penicillin-streptomycin into the muscles of the thigh or neck

Bacterial endometritis

Symptoms

• Cloudy discharge of a viscous or liquid consistency constantly comes from the vagina
• In case of mastitis, fever and agalactia (complete lack of milk after childbirth) may occur.

Prevention and treatment

• Injecting antimicrobials or placing them into the uterus using a siphon or catheter, oxytocin may be given once or twice a day to stimulate the uterus to contract
• Hygiene

Diseases and disorders of the digestive tract

Careful hygiene must be maintained to avoid or minimize digestive tract illnesses. Regular deworming is carried out as a preventive measure. Roughage should be introduced into the diet gradually.

Diarrhea of ​​newborn piglets

Symptoms

• Acute diarrhea in piglets - watery, yellowish-gray, within a very short time due to dehydration the piglets become thin, with sunken eyes
• Death may occur within 2-3 days
• Piglet deaths can even occur within a day before you notice signs of diarrhea

Prevention

• Keep pens, feed and water bowls clean
• Separate sick animals from healthy ones
• Do not suddenly change the animal's diet

Treatment

• Vaccination
• Drinking plenty of water with antibiotic solution

Necrotic (clostridial) enteritis

Symptoms

• Acute hemorrhagic or necrotizing inflammation of the intestines during the first and second weeks after birth
• In acute cases, diarrhea is watery, orange-red due to blood, and often bubbles
• In later stages, scraps of dead tissue may be found
• The piglets are weak and do not suckle. They become pale and die within a few days.

Prevention and treatment

• Vaccination
• Ensure piglets have access to sufficient colostrum within 36 hours of birth
• Keep pigs warm
• Purity
• Contact your veterinarian

Transmissible gastroenteritis of pigs

Transmissible gastroenteritis is a common viral disease of the small intestine that causes vomiting and severe diarrhea in pigs of all ages. The disease spreads quickly. Piglets less than one week old rarely survive.

Symptoms

• Very high mortality, mainly among piglets under 14 days of age.
• Piglets have frequent vomiting, severe greenish-yellow watery diarrhea, dehydration
• Sows have grayish diarrhea, vomiting, and abortion may occur.
• Fattening pigs have the same symptoms as sows

Prevention and treatment

• Give piglets glucose or electrolytes, keep animals warm
• Antibiotics prevent secondary infection but do not provide cure

Salmonellosis

Symptoms

• Fever, dullness, anorexia, weakness, nervous symptoms
• Bluish-red coloration of the ears, limbs and mid-belly
• Bloody spots all over the body
• Persistent grayish diarrhea, sometimes mixed with blood and fragments of necrotic intestinal tissue

Prevention and treatment

• Normal hygiene of pelleted feed, careful preparation of swill
• Remove feed for two days, provide animals with clean water

Swine dysentery

The disease is known by many names, including bloody diarrhea and hemorrhagic enteritis. Affects pigs of all ages, sometimes causing death.

Symptoms

• In acute cases, exhaustion and diarrhea with varying amounts of mucus, blood and necrotic material
• Fever
• In chronic cases, pig feces are grayish or brownish, the hair is coarse, and growth is slow.

Prevention

• Do not immediately repopulate pens vacated after infected animals.
• Disinfect pens

Treatment

• Antibiotics and some herbal medicines can be used as prescribed by your doctor to relieve symptoms of diarrhea and slow down dehydration.

Nutritional dystrophy of piglets

Symptoms

• Development of edema, nervous signs
• Paleness, a peculiar “creaky” voice
• General desynchronization of movements, loss of balance
• Sudden death

Prevention and treatment

• Affected piglets should be weaned from the sow and placed on a low-calorie diet
• Avoid stress
• Hygiene
• Include roughage in your diet

Respiratory diseases

Flu

Symptoms

• Apathy
• Anorexia
• Fever, cough and sneezing, difficulty breathing
• Red eyes
• Loss of consciousness

Prevention and treatment

• Good room ventilation
• Vaccination
• There is no specific treatment
• To prevent secondary infection, use antibiotics as prescribed by a veterinarian.

Porcine pleuropneumonia

Symptoms

• In acute cases - anorexia, high fever, difficulty breathing, red or bluish coloration of the ears, abdomen, legs and tip of the tail
• Death within 4 to 6 hours after the onset of clinical symptoms
• Blood clots and foam at the mouth or nose
• Abortion
• In chronic cases - anorexia, cough and growth inhibition

Prevention and treatment

• Vaccines only prevent deaths. Use antibiotics as prescribed by your veterinarian

Atrophic rhinitis (inflammation of the nose)

Symptoms

• Sneezing in young pigs
• Developmental delay or curvature of the upper jaw

Prevention and treatment

• Hygiene
• Use antibiotics as prescribed by your veterinarian

Pasteurellosis in pigs

Symptoms

• Cough
• Breathing through the mouth

Prevention and treatment

• Hygiene
• Use antibiotics as prescribed by your veterinarian

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS)

Symptoms

• Blue ears and forced breathing
• Lactating sows have coarse hair
• Gilts have problems with the onset of estrus and early toxicosis
• High mortality among weanlings
• Boars have a high percentage of shapeless sperm, low sperm motility and decreased libido

Prevention and treatment

• Use antibiotics as prescribed by your veterinarian
• Vaccination helps, but it is so expensive that it is not cost-effective

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system

Arthritis

Symptoms

• Joint inflammation
• Thickening and softness of joints.

Prevention and treatment

• Use antibiotics as prescribed by your veterinarian

Streptococcal infection in pigs

Symptoms

• Sepsis (blood poisoning), which can lead to immediate death
• Young pigs rarely recover
• Sudden death in old pigs
• Fever, nervous signs and arthritis mainly affect piglets and finishing pigs

Prevention and treatment

• Proper hygiene
• Wash the sow before moving her to the farrowing pen
• Use antibiotics as prescribed by your veterinarian

Exudative epidermitis (parakeratosis) of pigs

Symptoms

• Brown greasy skin patches, peeling skin, non-itchy scabs, weight loss, death

Prevention and treatment

• Avoid pig fights by mixing pigs from different pens
• Cut your teeth, make sure the bedding is soft
• Hygiene. Clean sows before moving to farrowing pen
• Use antibiotics as prescribed by your veterinarian

Eating disorders

Anemia in pigs

Symptoms

• Pale skin, weak piglets with high respiratory rates
• Jaundice
• Bloody feces
• Early death

Control and treatment

• Give pigs injections of iron supplements, orally give iron in the form of jelly or paste
• Place wood ash in the pen. Although it will not provide pigs with iron, it does contain other important microelements

Other diseases

foot and mouth disease

Foot and mouth disease is an acute, highly contagious viral disease of ungulates such as cattle, buffalo, goats and pigs.

Symptoms

• The animal suddenly begins to limp heavily, has a fever, and blisters form on the mucous membranes
• Blisters can also be found where the pig's skin is thin: on the udder, nipples, anal area, and eyelids. These bubbles burst within one day
• Possible foamy saliva, anorexia, sometimes the hooves become loose and fall off
• Abortion is possible in sows

Prevention and treatment

• Vaccination
• Quarantine
• Careful and correct preparation of feed
• Slaughter and burial

Classic swine fever

Symptoms

• Lesions on the body
• Before clinical signs appear - drop in body temperature
• Redness of the skin and ears
• Hind limb incoordination
• Constipation, diarrhea, anorexia
• The animal dies the day after infection
• Death occurs in 95-100% of cases

Prevention and treatment

• Quarantine
• Boiling the swill
• Restricting the movement of meat from areas affected by this disease
• Vaccination
• Disinfection
• There is no treatment

anthrax

Symptoms

• Swelling and swelling in the neck area
• Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
• Fever, anorexia, bloody feces
• Sudden death

Prevention and treatment

• Use of antibiotics (penicillin) as prescribed by a veterinarian
• Thorough disinfection of the farm
• Burning carcasses

Vaccination schedule for pigs

Important: do not use any medications 72 hours before slaughtering a pig for meat