Diarrhea in Pigs - Part 1

Mesocolonic edema

A condition consistent with C. difficile infection in pigs, characterized by swelling of the mesocolon.

Clostridium perfringens type C

A bacterium that causes hemorrhagic small intestine lesions and necrotic crypt epithelium in pigs.

Escherichia coli

A bacterium causing diarrhea in pigs, characterized by a dilated small intestine and mild villous atrophy.

Rotavirus

A viral infection in pigs leading to diarrhea with watery to creamy, yellow to white stools and villous blunting.

Clostridioides difficile

A bacterium causing mesocolonic edema and diarrhea in pigs, marked by large intestine containing watery yellow contents.

Isospora suis

A coccidian parasite causing coccidiosis in pigs, typically diagnosed by age of onset ranging from 7-11 days.

Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD)

A condition in newly weaned pigs caused by Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), leading to severe secretory diarrhea.

Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)

A type of E. coli that produces toxins leading to severe diarrhea in post-weaning pigs.

F18 E. coli

An E. coli strain associated with edema disease in pigs, causing neurological symptoms and severe diarrhea.

Preventative measures

Practices like piglet vaccines and improved hygiene to reduce incidence of diarrhea in pigs.

What causes diarrhea in neonate pigs (0-3wks)?

Cl. perfringens type C, type A, E. coli, Rotavirus, Clostridioides difficile and isospora suis

CS of Cl. perfringens type C?

Bloody diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy, weakness, huddling, shivering in 0-3 day olds. See hemorrhagic small intestine and necrotic crypt epithelium on pathology

Cl. perfringens type A CS and pathology?

See creamy to white watery, yellow of white diarrhea + dehydration, lethargy, weakness, huddling, shivering in 0-3d.o. On pathology see flaccid, thin walled, gas filled small intestine and vilous tip necrosis

E. coli CS and pathology

Clear to creamy, white to brown, mild to profuse diarrhea with alkaline pH + dehydration, lethargy, weakness, huddling, shivering in 0-3d.o.

Dilated small intestine ± congestion of the wall, microscopically see mild villous atrophy.

Cl. difficile CS and pathology?

Watery, yellow diarrhea + dehydration, lethargy, weakness, huddling, shivering in 0-7 d.o.

Mesocolonic edema, large intestine has watery yellow contents. Microscopically - focal suppuration in the colonic lamina propria

Coccidiosis CS and pathology?

Diarrhea dehydration, lethargy, weakness, huddling, shivering in 7-11 y.o.

Rotavirus CS and pathology?

Watery to creamy, yellow to white dehydration, lethargy, weakness, huddling, shivering with an acidic pH + dehydration, lethargy, weakness, huddling, shivering.

See thin walled flaccid small intestine and vilous blunting and atrophy microscopically

How to Tx neonate diarrheas?

ABx for bacterial causes, but prevention is more effective. Clean and fry farrowing rooms between uses. Ensure heat lamps with temp. at 95F. Maximize colostrum intake. Pre farrow vaccines for C. perf. C, E. coli and rotabirus.

What causes diarrhea in post weaning pigs (2-3wks)?

ETEC, spec. F18 toxin and K88 toxin.

What are the CS of edema disease?

Severe, profuse, watery diarrhea with NS like star gazing, opisthotonos, seizures and sudden death. See edema in ALL TISSUES. k18 adhesin

CS of K88 ETEC?

Mild to moderate diarrhea, dehydration and lethargy. Pathology - dilated small intestines.

Post weaning diarrhea Tx?

ABx in water may be helpful, but prevention is more effective. Use vaccines and improve hygiene (clean and dry nursery rooms)