Pig skin lesions and dysentery

what causes porcine skin lesions?

• physical - objects or lying on rough surface s

• vices - biting

• vector driven - flies and lice

• infection

• congenital - epitheliogenesis imperfecta

• toxic - e.g. porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome

where are skin lesions common on pigs?

ears, legs, tail and flank

what is the significance of skin lesions in pigs?

• can cause septicaemia, spinal lesions, death

• may require culling in some cases

• significant welfare concern

• can lead to carcass condemnation

what are infectious causes of skin lesions in pigs?

• bacterial septicaemia

• viral systemic diseases

• gready pig

• swine pox

• ringworm

• Treponema

• Sarcoptic mange

what bacterial septicaemic diseases can cause skin discolouration or necrosis?

• Salmonellosis - caused by salmonella spp

• Glasser’s disease - caused by Glaesserella (Haemophilus) parasuis

• Erysipelas —> skin blemishes, often raised

what is the diagnosis, treatment and control of salmonellosis?

• diagnosis - culture faecal material on selective media

• treatment - antimicrobials

• control - good management and hygiene to reduce transmission

what does salmonellosis cause to the skin?

purple discolouration

(also causes high fever, and diarrhoea)

what is the diagnosis, treatment and control of Glasser’s disease?

• diagnosis - clinical signs and detection of G. parasuis by isolation / PCR

• treatment - penicillin based treatment, can lead to full recovery

• control - improve hygiene, strategic antibiotic treatment, commercial / autogenous vaccines

what does Glasser’s disease cause to skin?

red to purple discolouration of ears, abdomen and occasionally legs

(also causes wasting, fibrinous polyserositis, polyarthritis, meningitis, pneumonia, pericarditis, peritonitis, sudden death)

what is the diagnosis, treatment and control of Erysipelas?

• diagnosis - clinical signs and culture / PCR / serology

• treatment - penicillin based treatment

• control - vaccination, improve hygiene, prevent birds and mice in the environment

what does Erysipelas cause to the skin?

rhomboid skin lesions

(also causes fever, depressed and inappetent, enlarged joints, lameness, endocarditis, sudden death)

what viral systemic diseases cause skin disorders in pigs?

• porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome

• classical swine fever

• african swine fever

what is the diagnosis, treatment and control of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS)?

• diagnosis - PCR and serology (ELISA)

• treatment - broad spectrum antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs

• control - early weaning and isolation of piglets, vaccination, serologic monitoring regularly, remove persistent carriers, improve biosecurity

what does PRRS cause to the skin?

blue colouring (cyanosis) of ears, abdomen and vulva

(also causes fever, anorexia, respiratory distress, vomiting, death, infertility, abortion)

what is the diagnosis, treatment and control of classical swine fever?

• note - notifiable disease

• diagnosis - virus isolation, immunofluorescence assay, detection of antibodies (ELISA)

• treatment - no treatment, endemic in many countries

• control - rapid confirmation of suspected cases then quarantine

what does classical swine fever cause to the skin?

purple skin discolouration of ears, lower abdomen and legs

(also causes fever, haemorrhage, lethargy, yellow diarrhoea, vomiting, neurological signs, reproductive failure and abortion)

what is the diagnosis, treatment and control of african swine fever?

• note - notifiable disease

• diagnosis - PCR, serology (ELISA)

• treatment - no treatment

• control - biosecurity measures, movement restriction till diagnostic results, cull all animals on infected premises

what does african swine fever cause to the skin?

reddening of skin - patches on ear tips, tail, feet, chest and belly

(also causes diarrhoea, vomiting, laboured breathing, swollen red eyes and discharge, abortions, death)

(in early stages - high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite)

what is Greasy pig caused by?

Staphylococcus hyicus

what does Greasy pig cause to the skin?

dermatitis with oozing greasy fluid, causes loss of keratinocyte cell-cell adhesions in epidermis - leaves skin open to secondary infection)

(also causes damage to liver and kidneys)

what is the treatment and control of greasy pig?

• treatment - parenteral use of antibiotics e.g. amoxicillin

• control - tackle causes of initial tissue damage, use topical sanitisers to prevent infection of tissue damage

what are risk factors to greasy pig?

• injury due to sharp objects, unclipped teeth

• mange

• humid environment

what does swine pox cause to the skin?

raised circular red skin spots 1-3mm

what is the diagnosis of swine pox?

confirmation by virus isolation - but unrewarding

what is ring worm usually caused by?

Trichophyton mentagrophytes

what does ring worm cause to the skin?

appears as dirty marks on skin, circular skin lesions

is there any treatment available for ringworm?

no

what does porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) cause to skin?

• extensive greasy brown to purplish red, slightly raised blotches - various in size and shape

• found on chest, abdomen, thighs and forelegs

(also causes depressed, lost appetitie, fever, reluctance to move, can affect kidneys)

what is the possible viral cause of PDNS?

Porcine circovirus 2

what causes sarcoptic mange?

mite - sarcoptes scabiei var suis

what does sarcoptic mange cause to the skin?

encrusted lesions on legs, ears and body, also causes pruritis

what is the diagnosis, treatment and control of sarcoptic mange?

• diagnosis - deep skin scrapings

• treatment - Avermectin

• control - combination of medication and hygiene measures

what does Treponemes cause to the skin?

ear necrosis, flank and tail lesions

is there any treatment or control for Treponemal?

no - relatively new disease

what are shoulder sores associated with?

weight loss during lactation, rough surfaces

when do we see stifle sores?

in fast growing finishers, kept at high density with no bedding

what physical damage skin lesions do we see?

• shoulder sores

• lower limb abrasions

• stifle sores

• teat necrosis

what are non-infectious causes of skin lesions, common in pigs?

• sunburn - blistering and ulceration

• transit erythema - scalding by urine or chemicals

• hyperkeratosis - water trough overhead leads to stagnant humid atmosphere —> flaking of dorsal skin

how can we prevent biting?

• straw bedding and toys provided

• tail docking

when is tail biting most common?

in finishers

when do we see vulval biting?

in sows in late pregnancy - may affect farrowing and mating, and can cause prolapse

what are the genetic defects of the skin?

• pityriasis rosea (false ringworm)

• epithliogenesis imperfecta - absence of epidermis or mucosal epithelium, common on legs and flanks

what causes swine dysentery?

spirochaetal bacterium - Brachyspira hyodysenteriae

what does Brachyspira hyodysenteriae cause?

• severe inflammation of large intestine

• goblet cell hyperplasia

• malabsorptive diarrhoea (dysentery)

• diarrhoea often contains blood and mucus

what are the clinical signs of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in piglets?

• Severe acute dysentery

• Sloppy light brown faeces with or without mucous or blood.

• Loss of condition

what are the clinical signs of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in weaners and growers?Severe acute dysentery

• Sloppy diarrhoea, which stains the skin under the anus.

• Initially the diarrhoea is light brown and contains jelly-like mucus and becomes watery. May contain blood

• Twitching of the tail.

• Hollowing of the flanks with poor growth. Loss of condition

• Partial loss of appetite

• Slight reddening of the skin.

• Becomes dehydrated.

• Gaunt appearance & sunken eyes.

• Sudden death may occur - mostly in heavy finishers.

what is the transmission of Brachyspira spp?

• ingestion of infected faeces

• carrier pigs shed organism in faeces for long periods

• spread by flies, mice/rats and birds - limited evidence

• overcrowding

• poor sanitation and wet pens enhance disease

how do we diagnose Brachyspira spp?

• history

• clinical picture

• post-mortem exam

• gram-stained faecal or colonic smears

• PCR of swabbed faecal material

• fluorescent antibody test on faecal smears

• isolation

how do we control Brachyspira spp.?

• biosecurity

• prevent access to slurry

• control flies

• foot baths for farm personnel

• reduce movement

• avoid overcrowing

• isolate and quarantine pigs coming into the farm

what is the treatment of Brachyspira spp.?

• Doxycyclin

• Lincomycin

• Tylosin

• Valnemulin

• note - antimicrobial resistance an issue