The Rural Voice, 1980-07, Page 19"PIG TALES"
Rapid diagnosis needed for piglet diarrhea
BY CHUCK ROBBINS
Diarrhea in piglets less than three weeks
of age is one of the most important
problems facing the swine industry today.
Baby pig scours is a major cause of
mortality in the newborn pig, and this
disease syndrome causes a Toss of thous-
ands of dollars annually in this area. This
loss includes not only dead piglets, but
involves labour, cost of treatment, and loss
of production.
Recent studies have shown that there are
four main causes of diarrhea in piglets less
than three weeks of age. These are E coli
diarrhea, coccidiosis, rotaviral diarrhea
and T.G.E. (Transmissible Gastroenteritis)
Any one of these diseases can cause high
mortality in the nursing piglet. Piglets
affected with baby pig scours die primarily
because of dehydration and loss of body
fluids.
MOST COMMON
E coli scours, or colibacillosis, is the
most common form of baby pig diarrhea.
There are several strains or serotypes of
the bacteria E coli that can cause diarrhea
in the neonatal piglet. A diagnosis is made
based on post mortem findings, culture of
feces or intestinal contents, and histo-
logical examination of selected tissues.
Based on results of culture and sensitivity
studies, your veterinarian can best advise
you regarding the drug route of adminis-
tration of choice as far as treating the
problem in your herd.
Preventative measures are aimed at
maintaining strict sanitation in the farrow-
ing area combined with increasing the pre -
farrowing immunity in the pregnant sow.
By increasing the level of immunity in the
sow through the use of autogenous or
commercial bacterins, or by way of a feed
back program, you are attempting to
increase the amount of protective maternal
antibody passed on to the piglets via the
sow's colostrum.
WIDELY RECOGNIZED
Coccidiosis is becoming quite widely
recognized as an important cause of
neonatal piglet diarrhea. Typically, piglets
affected by coccidiosis scour between five
and ten days of age. Treatment with
conventional products is usually unreward-
ing.
The diagnosis is made based on the
submission of fresh gut samples, or more
preferably, live piglets affected with the
disease. Because of the nature of the
disease the diagnosis must be made
histologically and ordinary cultures are of
no help.
Treatment involves the use of anti -
coccidial drugs and often antibiotics to all
animals in the farrowing facility. Prevent-
ion requires high levels of sanitation and
management. For example, washing sows
before they enter the farrowing crates
becomes very important. Contact your
veterinarian for further information.
CONTROVERSY
There is some controversy surrounding
the role of rotaviruses as a cause of baby
pig diarrhea. Many researchers believe
that rotaviruses require a secondary agent
to become truly pathogenic. In any case,
rotavirus must be suspected in situations
where routinely used treatments are
ineffective. Diagnosis is made on the basis
of virus isolation from fresh gut samples
and feces. Treatment is generally ineffect-
ive and prevention through sanitation
becomes very important.
A clean, dry, draught -free environment
in the farrowing area is essential to help
control an outbreak of rotavirus diarrhea.
Transmissible Gastroenteritis or T.G.E.
outbreaks can be quite devastating. In a
herd where T.G.E. occurs, virtually all
piglets under the age of three weeks die
due to scours and rapid dehydration. Sows,
boars, and fat pigs are also affected but
generally recover in a few days. Diagnosis
is based on post mortem examination,
clinical signs, and isolation of viral agents
in the laboratory.
Fresh gut samples are required for an
accurate, rapid diagnosis. Treatment pro-
grams are ineffective and the disease
generally runs its course in three to four
weeks. Prevention involves maintenance of
a closed herd and the use of commercial
vaccines. Your veterinarian can discuss
with you the merits of a vaccination
program for T.G.E. in your herd.
The purpose of this article has been to
point out that there are several causes of
baby pig scours. The importance of a rapid
and accurate diagnosis cannot be over-
emphasized. You must work closely with
your veterinarian in order to diagnose,
treat, and ultimately prevent outbreaks of
baby pig scours on your farm.
•
CONCRETE CATTLE MANGERS
COMPARABLE TO WOOD IN PRICE
BUT NO NEED FOR REPAIRS OR REPLACING
Strong -Durable -Movable -5 styles for any type feeding system
ALSO: CATTLE SLATS -CONCRETE FENCING
-CATCH BASINS -WELL TILE -SEPTIC TANKS
-DRAINAGE SUPPLIES
Design Concrete
SYSTEMS LTD.
527-0397 Seaforth
THE RURAL VOICE/JULY 198C PG. 17