The Rural Voice, 1983-10, Page 46ANIMAL SCIENCE
Diarrhea results in piglet losses
by Catherine Templeton D.V.M.
Baby pig scours is a daily problem
for many pig producers. Diarrhea is
the most important infectious cause
of death in the piglet. In addition to
piglet losses, treatment increases the
cost of pig production. Add to this
the headaches associated with facing
the problem and you have several
good reasons for trying to prevent
scours.
There are many causes of baby pig
scours. In general, it is not possible to
diagnose the cause of the problem by
looking at what the feces look like.
An accurate diagnosis depends on
autopsy of a recently dead pig and
laboratory analysis of autopsy
samples. Several viruses, such as
TGE, rota and corona virus are im-
portant pathogens or causes of diar-
rhea.
A relatively new problem in On-
tario is coccidiosis in baby pigs. But
by far the most important agent is the
familiar bacteria, E. coli. E. coli is
diagnosed as causing about 50 per
cent of piglet diarrhea. In addition, a
pathogenic E. coli can increase the
severity of the other types of scours.
Because E. coli is so common, let's
take a look at how it affects the
piglet. The E. coli bacteria are shed
by the sow and exist in the environ-
ment of the farrowing crate. It takes a
certain number of E. coli to infect the
piglet. Most infections begin through
the mouth or oral route. Once inside
the baby pig the E. coli multiply.
Then the bacteria attach to the lining
of the piglet's intestine by tiny struc-
tures called pili. The bacteria then
manufacture toxins which are
transferred through the pili to the lin-
ing of the intestine. These toxins turn
the intestinal lining "on" and cause it
to secrete fluid from the piglet's body
into the intestine, and this in turn
makes the feces fluid. The baby pig
loses so much fluid out through its in-
testine that it dies of dehydration.
Knowing how the E. coli kills pigs
helps us to treat and control the
disease. Antibiotics by mouth or by
injection, will kill the E. coli if that
particular E. coli is sensitive to the
antibiotic that you are using. This is a
partial cure.
Providing piglets with water con-
taining electrolytes will help to com-
bat the dehydration. Even very young
piglets will drink electrolytes if their
thirst is severe. All this is well and
good but to avoid those headaches
with sick pigs our aim should be to try
to prevent the problem.
Controlling E. coli scours has two
phases. Remember that it takes a cer-
tain number of E. coli to cause
disease in the piglet. This means that
you can reduce the chances of infec-
tion by reducing the number of E.
coli around. Clean-up of farrowing
areas before each sow enters is essen-
tial. Very few disinfectants work in
the presence of dirt and manure so
the area should be clean before any
disinfectant is applied.
The second phase of scour preven-
tion involves increasing the little pig's
immunity. During the first 10 - 14
days of life the piglet has no an-
tibodies of his own. He is entirely
dependent upon his mother for pro-
tection.
Vaccination of the sow increases
the number of antibodies in her milk.
These antibodies from the milk act in
the piglets intestine by "picking up"
the E. coli and preventing the E. coli
from attaching to the piglet's in-
testine. If the bacteria can't attach
then the toxins can't be transferred
into the piglet. Ideally the sows
should be vaccinated twice before far-
rowing. The first injection primes the
sow's system and the second one
boosts her to produce large numbers
of antibodies. Timing of these injec-
tions is important because the sow's
body needs time to respond.
The next question that arises is
which vaccine to use. In recent years
the number of vaccines for E. coli
scours has increased dramatically.
Competition between drug companies
is very stiff and each company would
have you believe that their product is
the best. In truth, the differences bet-
ween vaccines are not that great. All
offer protection against the main
strains of E. coli that cause diarrhea.
Some also protect against other less
important strains that may or may
not be a problem on your farm. The
vaccines are made from either whole
E. coli or parts of the E. coli such as
the pili. They all work if used proper-
ly.
If you have a baby pig scour pro -
20TH. PRODUCTION SALE
Wednesday, October 5th - 1:00 p.m.
80 OPEN GILTS 50 BOARS 15 BRED GILTS
Sale being held at the farm of Warren Stein located I mile south and 2 miles west
of Tavistock.
We offer you one of Ontario's largest selection of R.O.P. tested and veterinary
approved breeding stock. Our herd is maintained as a closed minimal disease
operation. Ranked "Good" by the Animal Industry Branch.
A good selection of boars and gilts available for sale at all times. For further in-
formation or catalogues, contact: -
RICHARD & WARREN STEIN
R.R. #6, Woodstock, Ontario. N4S 7W1
PH. 519-655-2942 or 462-2704
Fc
lto
YORKSHIRE DUROC HAMPSHIRE IANDRACE & HYBRIDS
This boar represents the kind of breeding stock we pro-
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AGGRESSIVENESS * GROWTH * PRODUCTIVITY
In one superior generic package
Next Production Sale November 19
PG. 44 THE RURAL VOICE, OCTOBER 1983