Diarrhea in Pigs - Part 2

What is the primary clinical sign of gastric ulcers in pigs aged 3 weeks to 6 months?

Pale pig(s) with black tarry stool and sudden death.

What microscopic lesions are associated with gastric ulcers in pigs?

Thickened stomach mucosa with erosion and parakeratosis.

What is Lawsonia intracellularis commonly known as?

Porcine proliferative enteropathy or 'ileitis'.

What are the clinical signs of acute hemorrhagic proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis?

Black, tarry feces; pallor; and possible sudden death.

What is a characteristic gross lesion of chronic Lawsonia intracellularis infection?

'Garden hose gut' - increased ileum diameter with a marked ridged appearance.

What are the main clinical signs of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae infection (swine dysentery)?

Yellow to gray soft feces, progressing to large amounts of mucus with possible blood.

What microscopic lesions are seen in swine dysentery?

Thickened mucosa and submucosa of cecum and colon.

What are the clinical signs associated with Salmonella typhimurium infection in pigs?

Watery, yellow diarrhea ± sporadic blood, decreased feed intake, and dehydration.

What gross lesions are characteristic of Salmonella typhimurium?

Enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes and button ulcers in the colon.

How might treatment for bacterial causes of diarrhea in pigs be approached?

Using antimicrobials and vaccination to prevent infections.

Which viruses cause diarrhea in pigs?

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGE) and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PED).

What are the gross lesions observed in pigs infected with TGE?

Distended small intestine with thin, transparent walls filled with yellow contents.

What type of clinical signs do Ascaris suum parasites cause in pigs?

Decreased growth and variable size among same-age pigs.

What are the common gross lesions for Ascaris suum infection?

Milk spots in the liver and adult worms in the small intestine.

What treatment is recommended for Ascaris suum infection in pigs?

Fenbendazole and piperazine, with treatment repeated due to continuous exposure.

Causes of diarrhea in growing pigs (3wks to 6m)

GI ulcers, L. intracellularis, Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, S. typhimurium

CS of gastric ulcers and pathology?

Pale pigs with black tarry stool, and sudden death. Usually in one to a few pigs. It can affect many but only some will have CS and death.

Pathologically see erosions and ulcerations of the gastric squamous mucosa in the pars esophagea region. Microscopically - thickened stomach mucosa with erosions and parakeratosis.

Porcine proliferative enteropathy cause?

Lawsonia intracellularis. Aka ileitis

CS of ileitis?

Acute hemorrhagic proliferative enteropathy with black tarry feces, pallor ± sudden death usually in multiple animals (unlike ulcers). In chronic cases they gain weight poorly, there is variability in size and loose grey stool.

Gross and microscopic lesions of L. intracellularis?

Gross - garden hose gut i.e. the ileum is increased in diameter with serosal surface having marked ridged appearance. In acute cases - inf. exudate ± blood clots in ileum.

Microscopic - enlarged branching crypts.

CS of swine dysentery?

Yellow to gray soft feces progressing to large amounts of mucus ± flecks of blood.

Gross and microscopic lesions of swine dysentery?

Gross - edematous large intestine, colon has soft watery contents and exudate ± pseudo membranes.

Microscopically - thickened mucosa and submucosa of cecum and colon ± white raised foci on the serosal surface

CS of salmonellosis?

Affected pigs are commonly febrile, with reduced feed intake, and have liquid yellow feces that may contain shreds of necrotic debris. Diarrhea in individual pigs usually lasts 3–7 days, and it may recur for multiple bouts

Gross and microscopic lesions in salmonellosis?

Enlarged mesenteris LNN, button ulcers in colon, edematous walls in ileum, cecum and spiral colon, scant stomach and colon contents that may be bile stained or appear sandy. Can cause sec. strictures

Microscopic lesions - focal to diffuse necrosis of crypts and surface epithelium ± fibronecrotic debris.

What can cause diarrhea at any age?

Coronavirus, GI parasites like A. suum and Trichuris suis.

What do coronaviruses cause in pigs?

Transmissible gastroenteritis and porcine epidemic diarrhea.

Cs of coronavirus diarrheas in pigs?

All ages affected in naive herds with mort. being inversely proportional to age (highest in neonates). See profuse watery yellow diarrhea, WL, dehydration and vomiting in piglets and inappetence, diarrhea and vomiting in sows

Gross and microscopic lesions in coronavirus diarrheas?

Gross - distended small intestines with thin, transparent walls full of watery to yellow contents. Microscopically see blunting of the jejunum.

Where are A. suum located?

The large roundworm is in the small intestine, liver and lungs.

CS of a. suum infection?

Generated by competition between parasite and host for nutrients. See decreased growth, variable size in the same age pigs, unthriftiness. Icterus of bile duct is blocked, pneumonia from migration through the lungs.

A. suum gross and life cycle?

Gross - milk spots in the liver, see adults in intestine.

Its the most common parasite of the swine, has a direct life cycle with no intermediate host .

Where is trichuris suis located

In the cecum ± colon in heavy infestation

Tx for GI parasites?

Fenbendazole and piperazine. repeat because exposure is continuous.