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The Rural Voice, 1990-12, Page 16can•con mill SYxEm1 /11 RATED HOG FEEDER — For the least amount of feed wastage A111 , 'IMII E' OW - Plastic Plastic & Stainless Steel Feeders • Long-lasting • Stainless Steel Edges • Stainless Spill -proof Grill • 1/2" Solid Black Plastic Also Available: - Rotary Feeders - Nursery Decks w/plastic feeders - Farrowing Crates - Dry Sow Stalls - Filter Eeze Flooring - Plumbing Supplies COW MATS Consider the facts .. . • Comfort • Cleanliness • Cost • Durability • Safety Rubber Cow Mats 4' x 6' x 3/4" Call Now! Save Bedding - quantity discounts Also Available - Moo Shoes - Water Bowls - Cow Trainers - Feed Carts - Hay Feeders - Cattle Oilers - PEL Electric Fencers At this special time of the year, we welcome the opportunity to thank, our customers. We look forward to serving you in 1991. A division of Steve's Welding R. R. 1, Newton, Ont. NOK 1R0 519-595-8737 12 THE RURAL VOICE DIAGNOSTICS SIRS "MYSTERY DISEASE" by Dr. S. E. Sanford, VETERINARY LABORATORY SERVICES Swine Infertility Respiratory Syndrome (SIRS) has been proposed as a more accurate name to replace the vague and potentially inflammatory term "Mystery Disease" reported one year ago in this column (December 1989, pg. 18). Until the true cause of the disease is known, SIRS brings into focus the two major components of this syndrome: (1) the reproductive problems, and (2) the respiratory distress. To recap SIRS (formerly Mystery Disease), several sows on a farm suddenly develop fevers, go off feed and abort, have stillborn piglets, or farrow a few days early. These sows also exhibit heavy breathing/ respiratory distress. The early -born pigs are small, weak, and die or fail to thrive especially if they develop any of the secondary infections that frequently follow. SIRS Update: Actual SIRS outbreaks in sow herds in the U.S. have been much fewer over the last year, but the respiratory distress and failure to thrive have increased. In Ontario, the outbreaks resembling SIRS that occurred in 1987/88 have not been seen during the past 1 to 2 years. The search for the cause of SIRS has continued and intensified in the U.S. Most of this effort has been directed at linking EMC (encephalomyocarditis) virus with SIRS. EMC virus does and is causing abortions and stillbirths, and if pigs survive after their hearts are damaged, respiratory distress occurs. However, EMC, although proven present in many herds with SIRS, cannot always be identified in herds with SIRS. Furthermore EMC virus can be demonstrated in many more herds that have NEVER had SIRS outbreaks than in herds with SIRS. So the hunt continues for another agent or agents, or other factors that may combine with EMC to produce SIRS. Most of the other agents that were being investigated one year ago (eg. Leptospira bratislava, Parvovirus, influenza virus, chlamydia, etc.) are no longer considered as being the cause of SIRS. THE QUEBEC SYNDROME: In the meantime, a syndrome that may have started out looking and sounding like SIRS but now seems to be an immunosuppressive syndrome, has emerged in Quebec swine herds over the past 18 to 24 months. This immunosuppressive syndrome has affected mainly grower/finisher pigs. They develop a proliferative pneumonia which may kill them or leave them susceptible to several secondary infections such as Strep suis, Actinobacillus suis, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is one of the most common secondary infections that occurs in people with AIDS. Researchers in Quebec have identified an influenza virus and are investigating the possibility that it is the cause of the immunosuppressive syndrome. A close watch is being kept in Ontario to see if this disease occurs here. So far one herd in the Guelph area has been identified with similar lesions and is being carefully investigated. We have tried to keep our topics timely and informative. However, we would welcome any suggestions from readers for future topics. We would also invite interested persons to take a tour of the facilities at the Diagnostic Laboratory at Huron Park. We would ask that you make prior arrangements by phoning 228-6691, Ext. 276.