3. Post-natal losses in piglets (classifying, characteristics)

When do postnatal losses occur in piglets?

From the 3rd day to the 1st week of life

What are the systems which can be affected to cause post-natal losses?

1. Blood disorders

2. GIT diseases

3. Respiratory diseases

4. Skin diseases

5. Joint infections

6. Diseases of the mammary gland

7. Poor husbandry

When do postnatal losses occur in piglets?

From the 3rd day to the 1st week of life

What are the systems which can be affected to cause post-natal losses?

1. Blood disorders

2. GIT diseases

3. Respiratory diseases

4. Skin diseases

5. Joint infections

6. Diseases of the mammary gland

7. Poor husbandry

What are examples of blood disorders causing post-natal losses?

1. Iron-deficiency anaemia

2. Copper-deficiency anaemia

3. Thrombocytopenic purpura

What is the most common cause of anaemia in piglets?

Iron deficiency

Why are piglets prone to anaemia during the first week of life?

1. They have low iron storage at birth

2. Bred to grow quickly so cannot sustain levels

3. No access to iron from soil

4. Sow's milk is an insufficient source of iron

What are the clinical signs of iron deficiency anaemia in piglets?

Pale piglets at 1 week old, rapid breathing, lethargy, reduced growth, and death

How is iron-deficiency anaemia diagnosed?

1. CS

2. History (no iron supplied)

3. Low haemoglobin in blood

What is the treatment and prevention for iron deficiency anaemia in piglets?

1. 200 mg iron dextran IM injection at 3-5 days

2. OR orally on days 7, 10, and 15

How is copper deficiency anaemia different from iron deficiency anaemia in piglets?

Copper deficiency is rare, as copper is usually added to the diet, and it inhibits haemoglobin synthesis

What are the clinical signs of copper deficiency anaemia in piglets?

Pale mucous membranes, leg weakness, persistent diarrhoea

What is the treatment for copper deficiency anaemia in piglets?

Copper sulphate orally or IM

What is thrombocytopenic purpura in piglets?

A condition involving failure of blood clotting due to destruction of thrombocytes by antibodies in colostrum, occurring between 7-21 days of age

What are the clinical signs of thrombocytopenic purpura?

Death of well-conditioned piglets, haemorrhages, and bruising (blue areas on the skin)

How can thrombocytopenic purpura be managed?

By using colostrum from another sow

What are examples of types of GIT diseases causing post-natal losses?

1. Congenital

2. Non-infectious

3. Infectious

What are common congenital GIT diseases in piglets?

Cleft palate, atresia ani et recti

What are some non-infectious causes of GIT diseases in piglets?

Poor nutrition, starvation, diarrhoea, poor husbandry, mycotoxins

What are some infectious GIT pathogens in piglets?

1. E. coli

2. Salmonella

3. Clostridium perfringens

4. Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE) virus

5. Epizootic viral diarrhoea virus (Coronaviruses)

6. Rotavirus

7. Porcine adenovirus

8. Cystoisospora

What measures can be taken to manage GIT diseases in piglets?

1. Controlled sow milk production

2. Artificial feeding

3. Use of oxytocin to promote milk let-down

4. Maintain good hygiene

5. Balanced diet, vitamins

6. Rehydration

7. Antibiotics and parasite control

What are some viral respiratory diseases in pigs?

1. PRRS (arterivirus)

2. Aujeszky’s disease

3. Cytomegalovirus

What are some bacterial respiratory diseases in pigs?

1. Streptococcus spp.

2. Staphylococcus aureus

3. Trueperella pyogenes

4. Bordetella bronchiseptica

5. Pasteurella multocida

6. Actinobacillus pleuropneumonie

7. Mycoplasma hyorhinis

What are examples of skin diseases leading to post-natal losses?

1. Exudative epidermitis (Greasy pig disease)

2. Pustular dermatitis

3. Hypotrichosis cystica suis

What is exudative epidermitis in pigs?

Also known as greasy pig disease, caused by Staphylococcus hyicus, often in immunocompromised piglets

What is the pathogenesis of exudative epidermitis in piglets?

Dermatitis with oozing greasy fluid that may become necrotic and produces toxins damaging the liver and kidneys, leading to death from dehydration, loss of serum proteins, and electrolytes

What is pustular dermatitis in pigs?

A skin condition characterised by pustules or small, raised, pus-filled lesions, which can be caused by Erysipelas, Staphylococcus, and others

What is hypotrichosis cystica suis in pigs?

A genetic condition resulting in abnormal hair growth, including cystic hair follicles and hair loss

What is arthritis in piglets?

Inflammation of one or more joints, common in suckling piglets

What are the bacterial causes of arthritis in piglets?

1. Actinobacillus suis

2. Glaesserella parasuis

3. E. coli

4. Staphylococci

5. Streptococcus suis

What are the clinical signs of arthritis in piglets?

Sternal recumbency, shivering, stiffness, lameness (one or more limbs), swollen hock and elbow joints, and septicaemia leading to death

What treatments can be used for arthritis in piglets?

1. ATB: Lincomycin, penicillin, streptomycin, oxytetracycline

2. Cortisone

How can arthritis be prevented in piglets?

Improve husbandry

What are common diseases affecting the mammary glands of sows?

1. Mastitis

2. MMA syndrome

3. Teat necrosis

4. Agalactia

5. Udder oedema

6. Mammary hypoplasia

What are common hygienic and husbandry problems in pig management?

Cold, wet conditions, overcrowding, poor hygiene, contamination of mammary glands, and drinking slurry in the absence of food and water