SWINE MEDICINE FINALS (Disease identification)

A commercial swine farm reports that several pigs of different ages have developed frequent sneezing over the past two weeks. Initially, the caretaker assumed it was due to dust in the housing, but some affected pigs later developed a clear nasal discharge that became blood-tinged, while a few experienced episodes of severe nosebleeds.

During physical examination, you observe tear staining below the medial canthus of the eyes in several pigs, suggesting obstruction of the lacrimal ducts. Some animals have a shortened and laterally deviated upper jaw, while others appear to have no obvious facial deformity despite persistent sneezing. The pigs remain alert, but the respiratory signs continue to worsen.

One severely affected pig is euthanized for further examination. On cross-section of the skull at the level of the second premolar tooth, the nasal cavity appears relatively clear, but there is marked softening and atrophy of the nasal turbinates, deviation of the nasal septum, and asymmetrical distortion of the surrounding bony structures.

Atrophic Rhinitis

A commercial swine farm reports reproductive failure in several pregnant sows during the last month. Affected sows have delivered multiple mummified fetuses, stillborn piglets, and some piglets that died within the first few days after birth.

Among the surviving litters, piglets 5–10 days of age develop moderate to severe rhinitis characterized by profuse, sticky nasal discharge and conjunctivitis with copious ocular discharge. The farm veterinarian notes that piglets born to immune sows are less severely affected, while piglets lacking adequate colostrum intake have a much higher mortality rate.

Interestingly, growers and finishing pigs on the farm appear clinically normal despite being housed in the same facility.

Necropsy of an affected piglet reveals no significant pneumonia, but histopathologic examination of the nasal mucosa demonstrates basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. Similar inclusion bodies are also observed in the viscera of aborted fetuses. The veterinarian recommends confirming the diagnosis using PCR or ELISA.

Inclusion Body Rhinitis

A farrow-to-wean swine farm reports that several 3-week-old piglets have developed progressive swelling around the snout and face. The farm manager mentions that all piglets had their needle (milk) teeth clipped shortly after birth, but the procedure was difficult because the clippers were dull and left rough edges on several teeth.

Within the next two weeks, a few piglets began snuffling and sneezing, followed by a thick, foul-smelling nasal discharge. As the condition progressed, the affected piglets developed marked swelling and deformity of the face, accompanied by loss of appetite and progressive weight loss. Some piglets also exhibited bloody nasal discharge, excessive tearing, and purulent ocular discharge.

On physical examination, the facial swelling is firm and painful. An incision into the swollen area releases a large amount of pinkish-gray, foul-smelling necrotic tissue mixed with greenish-gray debris. Radiographs reveal destruction of the nasal and facial bones, explaining the severe facial deformity.

The veterinarian suspects that bacteria entered through wounds in the oral and nasal mucosa created during the improper clipping of the piglets' milk teeth.

Necrotic Rhinitis (Bull nose)

A commercial swine farm reports reproductive failure in several pregnant sows during the last month. Affected sows have delivered multiple mummified fetuses, stillborn piglets, and some piglets that died within the first few days after birth.

Among the surviving litters, piglets 5–10 days of age develop moderate to severe rhinitis characterized by profuse, sticky nasal discharge and conjunctivitis with copious ocular discharge. The farm veterinarian notes that piglets born to immune sows are less severely affected, while piglets lacking adequate colostrum intake have a much higher mortality rate.

Interestingly, growers and finishing pigs on the farm appear clinically normal despite being housed in the same facility.

Necropsy of an affected piglet reveals no significant pneumonia, but histopathologic examination of the nasal mucosa demonstrates basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. Similar inclusion bodies are also observed in the viscera of aborted fetuses. The veterinarian recommends confirming the diagnosis using PCR or ELISA.

Inclusion Body Rhinitis

A commercial swine farm suddenly experiences a severe respiratory disease outbreak among its grower pigs (4–5 months old). Within 48 hours, the disease spreads rapidly through several pens. The farm manager reports that some pigs were found dead without showing any previous signs of illness.

The surviving affected pigs have high fever (41.4°C), refuse to eat, and are reluctant to move. Many are observed breathing rapidly with shallow respirations ("thumping"). Several pigs have profuse frothy, blood-tinged nasal discharge, with similar blood-stained froth coming from the mouth. A few pregnant gilts in the affected group have recently aborted.

The outbreak affects nearly half of the herd, and deaths continue despite treatment. Pigs that recover remain thin and continue to have a persistent cough with poor growth performance.

Necropsy of a freshly dead pig reveals that all lung lobes are dark red to black, swollen, and heavy. When the lungs are cut, blood and fluid ooze from the surface. The trachea contains blood-stained froth, and there is marked fibrinous pleurisy and pericarditis. Multiple necrotic bullae are scattered throughout the lungs. In one chronic case, osteomyelitis is also observed.

Pleuropneumonia

A commercial farrow-to-finish swine farm reports a sudden respiratory disease outbreak affecting pigs of different age groups. Within 72 hours, nearly all pens contain coughing pigs. The disease spreads rapidly despite immediate isolation of affected animals.

Affected pigs develop high fever, depression, anorexia, weakness, and dyspnea. Most are reluctant to move and spend much of the day lying down. They exhibit frequent coughing accompanied by mucoid discharge from the eyes and nose. Although many pigs become sick, only a small percentage (about 2%) die. Several late-gestation sows abortduring the outbreak.

Interestingly, after 5–7 days, most pigs recover almost as quickly as they became ill. However, over the following weeks, the farm manager notices that many recovered pigs fail to reach their expected market weight because respiratory signs continue to recur within the herd.

Necropsy of an affected pig reveals well-demarcated, collapsed, purplish-red areas of pneumonia affecting all lung lobes, but the lesions are confined mainly to the ventral portions of each lobe. The unaffected lung tissue appears pale and emphysematous. The bronchi contain mucopurulent exudate, while the bronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes are edematous. There is marked pulmonary edema, especially in the interlobular septa, and the pleural cavity contains serous to serofibrinous exudate.

Hog Flu, Pig flu

A commercial swine farm recently weaned a group of 7-week-old piglets and moved them into an overcrowded nursery with limited feeder space. Four days after weaning, several pigs developed fever and respiratory signs. Over the next few days, the disease spread rapidly throughout the pen, resulting in numerous sick pigs and several deaths.

Affected pigs have high fever (41–42°C), depression, anorexia, mild rhinitis, coughing, dyspnea, and progressive weight loss. As the disease progresses, some pigs become reluctant to stand and develop painful, warm, swollen joints. Eventually, several pigs exhibit severe lameness, while others develop neurologic signs including meningitis and convulsions.

The veterinarian notes that arthritis is one of the last clinical signs to appear, occurring after the respiratory illness has already been present for several days.

Necropsy is performed on a freshly dead pig. Upon opening the thoracic and abdominal cavities, the serosal surfaces are covered with abundant fibrin, producing a characteristic "cheese cloth" appearance. Examination reveals fibrinopurulent pleuritis, pericarditis, and peritonitis. The lungs have areas of bronchopneumonia, and the meninges are covered with fibrinopurulent exudate.

Both stifle joints contain cloudy (turbid) synovial fluid mixed with greenish fibrin deposits. The periarticular tissues are inflamed, and thick fibrin coats the joint capsules.

Glasser’s disease (Porcine Polyserositis, Infectious polyarthritis)

Quiz: It is a highly infectious economically devasting viral disease of pigs. It primarily causes reproductive failure in sows and gilts, characterize by abortion and stillborn and severe respiratory disease in growing pigs. Because the virus destroy the immune cells the affected pigs become highly vulnerable to secondary bacterial infection ****

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome

Quiz The symptoms of this disease usually appears withint 12-48 hrs after giving birth. For sow there is fever, loss of appetite, reluctance to nurse her young, hard swollen udder, for piglets contants swilling and signs of hunger and weight loss and sometimes diarrhea ***

MMA complex

Quiz: Some factors of this disease it targets the pregnant guilts which are highly at risk. Symptoms is that there is litter of varrying size with mummified fetuses and dead pigs and few live piglets born from the same mother. There is fatal death in which the virus attacks the developing unborn pigs causing death if the sow is infected for the 1st 70 days of pregnancy, No cure and specific treatment once the pig is infected.

Parvovirus infection

Quiz; It is highly contagious reportable disease cause by bacteria, it is incurable condition of pigs causing severe reproductive failure in herd causes zoonotic health risk to humans who handle and consume the infected animals. While some pigs appear entirely healthy, infected pigs often exhibit severe reproductive and physical symptoms. For females there is abortion,mummified fetus, the birth of weak piglets and temporary or permanent sterility. In male there is swelling of testes or orchitis. Generally there are chronic inflammation of the joints leading to lameness, posterior paralysis and abscess formation.

Brucellosis

Quiz: This is an infection of pigs that is contagiois bacterial disease that primarily target the kidney and reproductive tract causing severe economic losses in breeding herd through abortion and still birth. It is also a zoonotic disease which can infect pigs through human.

Leptospirosis

A 350-sow farrow-to-finish swine farm reports a sudden decline in reproductive performance over the past month. Most affected animals are older sows in their last trimester of pregnancy. Several have aborted 1–4 days before their expected farrowing date, while others delivered more than 20% stillborn piglets along with weak-born piglets that struggled to nurse. Some fetuses appeared cyanotic, and many sows had reduced milk production, causing poor survival of the newborns. The producer also noticed that some breeding females failed to conceive or return to heat after breeding.

The farm’s breeding boars appear depressed with reduced appetite. Semen evaluation revealed low sperm numbers and poor motility, raising concerns that the boars may be contributing to the spread of the disease.

In the nursery and grower-finisher barns, affected pigs have persistent fever (~40°C), decreased vitality, loss of appetite, labored breathing, pneumonia, diarrhea, and cyanosis of the ears and vulva. Some pigs also have bleeding at injection sites, tail loss, and adopt an extended-leg stance. Piglets are thin, pale, have rough hair coats, and many die 10–14 days after the onset of illness despite supportive care. Secondary bacterial respiratory infections have also become common across the herd.

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome

A commercial swine breeding farm reports a gradual decline in reproductive performance over the past several months. Numerous sows and gilts have experienced abortions during early gestation. Interestingly, many of these females returned to estrus shortly after aborting and were rebred, but some continued to have poor reproductive performance. A number of breeding females have become temporarily or permanently sterile. Several also developed metritis, while others showed lameness, hindlimb weakness progressing to posterior paralysis, and swelling over the vertebral column suggestive of spondylitis. Some pigs have firm abscesses on their limbs and other parts of the body.

During examination of the breeding boars, one valuable sire is found to have a markedly enlarged, painful left testicle, while the opposite testicle appears normal. Semen quality has declined, resulting in reduced fertility, although the boar is not completely sterile.

The farm veterinarian also learns that one of the workers who frequently assists with farrowing and handles aborted fetuses has been experiencing intermittent fever that rises and falls over several weeks, accompanied by malaise and joint pain.

Brucelllosis

A 250-sow commercial breeding farm has experienced a sudden decline in farrowing performance over the past two months. The herd veterinarian notes that replacement gilts are the most severely affected, while older multiparous sows appear relatively unaffected. Many gilts were bred normally but returned to estrus much later than expected, resulting in a prolonged non-productive period. Some were initially suspected to be pregnant but later failed to farrow, suggesting false pregnancy or early embryonic death.

Several pregnant gilts aborted during the first trimester, while others farrowed small litters containing numerous mummified fetuses of different sizes, a few stillborn piglets, and only a small number of live piglets. A number of sows also experienced delayed farrowing, and piglet mortality was higher than usual.

Interestingly, the nursery and grower pigs appear clinically healthy, with no fever, diarrhea, respiratory disease, or other obvious clinical signs. Serologic testing shows that many older pigs have antibodies against the virus despite never having shown clinical illness. Investigation of the herd reveals that replacement gilts may have retained maternal immunity until sexual maturity, preventing natural exposure before breeding.

Porcine parvovirus

A farrow-to-finish swine farm reports a sudden outbreak affecting pigs of different age groups. The first affected pigs develop sneezing and coughing, followed within 24–48 hours by high fever, anorexia, and depression. As the disease progresses, several pigs begin showing tremors, incoordination, muscle twitching, and convulsions. A few animals also develop vomiting and diarrhea before becoming recumbent. Most affected suckling piglets die 3–6 days after the onset of illness, and nearly the entire litter is lost. Mortality decreases in older pigs, although neurological signs are still observed.

The herd veterinarian notes that pigs between 6 and 12 weeks of age are beginning to show similar signs as their maternal immunity wanes. Meanwhile, several pregnant sows have experienced an increase in abortions, mummified fetuses, and stillbirths, particularly those infected during different stages of gestation.

Necropsy of several piglets reveals marked congestion of the meningeal blood vessels, petechial hemorrhages in the renal papillae and cortex, necrotic tonsillitis, and multiple diffuse necrotic foci in the liver and spleen. Small vesicles are present on the skin of the nares and buccal mucosa.

The farm owner mentions that neighboring livestock owners have complained of sudden deaths in cattle and dogs that had close contact with the pigs

Pseudorabies

A commercial swine breeding farm reports an increase in reproductive losses over the past month. Several pregnant sows that appeared healthy throughout gestation suddenly developed fever lasting 3–4 days, became anorexic, and later aborted during the last trimester of pregnancy. Other sows delivered stillborn and weak piglets.

Among the live-born piglets, several are noticeably jaundiced (icteric), weak, and have poor survival. The veterinarian observes that no mummified fetuses are present in any of the affected litters, despite the high number of reproductive failures.

Grower pigs on the farm have also shown poor weight gain, gastrointestinal disturbances, and occasional neurologic signs including rigidity, muscle spasms, circling, and meningitis. A few severely affected pigs developed hemorrhages, marked jaundice (icterus), and died.

The farm has a history of rodent infestation and uses untreated surface water as a water source for the pigs

Leptospirosis

A commercial swine farm calls you to examine a 3-year-old multiparous sow that farrowed 24 hours ago. Since farrowing, the sow has become depressed, anorexic, and constipated. Her rectal temperature is 41°C.

The producer reports that the piglets are constantly restless, vocalizing, and repeatedly attempting to nurse, but they appear hungry and are becoming progressively weak. Several piglets have already died after being accidentally crushed by the sow, which has been reluctant to stand.

On physical examination, the sow’s mammary glands are swollen, firm, warm, and painful to palpation, with some teats appearing traumatized. Milk production is markedly reduced and very little milk can be expressed. A foul-smelling vaginal discharge is also observed, suggesting uterine inflammation.

The problem developed within the first 3 days after parturition, and no other infectious disease has been identified in the piglets

MMA complex

A 3-year-old commercial swine farm has reported the sudden deaths of several mature sows over the past week. The herd veterinarian notes that the breeding boars appear healthy but suspects they may be the source of infection because the problem began shortly after introducing a new boar into the breeding program. One affected sow was observed to be depressed, anorexic, and repeatedly straining while attempting to urinate. The urine was dark red and blood-tinged, and the sow appeared painful during urination. Another sow died unexpectedly before any obvious clinical signs were noticed.

Necropsy of the deceased sow revealed severe inflammation of the urinary bladder and urethra, with extension of the infection into the kidneys, resulting in pyelonephritis.

Porcine Cystitis

During a visit to a commercial swine farm, the producer reports that several grower-finisher pigs have shown poor weight gain despite receiving adequate nutrition. Over the past month, a few pigs developed respiratory distress and abdominal discomfort before dying. Necropsy of one affected pig revealed fibrous adhesions within both the thoracic and abdominal cavities, consistent with pleuritis and peritonitis. Further examination showed a firm, fibrotic liver with cirrhosis, thrombosis of the portal vessels, and lesions involving both the kidneys and lungs.

Swine kidney worm infection

A commercial swine farm reports that several weaner and grower pigs have become increasingly restless and spend much of the day rubbing their heads against the pen walls and scratching themselves. On physical examination, the earliest lesions are found on the ears and head, but over the next few weeks the lesions spread to the neck, trunk, tail, and legs. The affected pigs exhibit intense pruritus, and the skin has become markedly thickened, rough, and dry, with extensive grayish crusts covering the affected areas. Growth performance of the affected pigs has also declined due to constant irritation.

Mange

A commercial swine farm reports that several recently weaned piglets have become dull and reluctant to nurse. Over the next few days, the affected piglets develop generalized reddening of the skin accompanied by depression and anorexia. Painful skin lesions begin as small vesicles that eventually rupture, becoming secondarily infected and forming reddish-brown spots with serum exudation. As the disease progresses, the skin becomes thickened and is covered by moist, greasy exudates composed of sebum and serum, which later dry into thick crusts. Some piglets also develop purulent inflammation of the ears and catarrhal inflammation of the eyes. In the most severely affected animals, vesicles and ulcers are observed on the nasal disk, tongue, and feet, with eventual sloughing of the hooves. Several piglets die despite treatment.

Necropsy reveals marked dehydration, congested lungs, enlarged and inflamed peripheral lymph nodes, and kidneys and ureters distended with mucus, cellular casts, and debris.

Greasy pig disease

A commercial swine farm reports that several growing pigs have failed to gain weight despite receiving adequate feed. The affected pigs have become anorexic and are frequently observed rubbing and scratching against pen fixtures due to intense itching. On physical examination, the skin lesions are bilaterally symmetrical, with marked hyperkeratosis affecting the limbs, abdomen, and other pressure areas. The skin is thickened and covered with horny scales, deep fissures, and numerous brown papules and crusted spots.

No significant systemic abnormalities are noted aside from the poor growth and skin lesions.

Parakeratosiss

A commercial swine farm reports that several adult pigs have become progressively lame over the past week. Initially, the affected pigs were reluctant to bear weight on one hind limb, but the condition worsened until some animals were unable to stand. Physical examination reveals severe inflammation around the hoof with foul-smelling wounds extending into the tissues of the foot. The affected pigs are anorexic, appear weak and debilitated, and spend most of their time lying down due to pain.

Necropsy of a severely affected pig reveals extensive necrosis involving the hoof and surrounding tissues, with deep ulcerative wounds confined to the affected foot.

Foot rot

A commercial swine breeding farm reports a sudden increase in reproductive failure among pregnant sows. Several sows developed fever, depression, and sensitivity to light a few days before farrowing. Some affected animals also exhibited muscle tremors, incoordination, and an unsteady gait. Although most adult pigs recovered, many litters contained dead fetuses, with several showing mummification and others having enlarged, fluid-filled heads (hydrocephalus). The farm is located near irrigated rice fields with a high mosquito population.

Japanese B Encephalitis

A commercial swine farm reports that several grower pigs have suddenly developed high fever followed by neurological abnormalities. Initially, the affected pigs appear uncoordinated and stumble while walking. Within 24–48 hours, they develop rapid involuntary eye movements (nystagmus), severe muscle rigidity with the head and neck arched backward (opisthotonus), and paralysis of the hind limbs. As the disease progresses, the pigs become recumbent, lose consciousness, and eventually die despite supportive treatment.

Necropsy of one affected pig reveals nonsuppurative inflammation of the central nervous system. Histopathologic examination demonstrates necrosis with encephalitis, marked perivascular cuffing involving the gray matter of the brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord, as well as meningitis affecting the cerebellum.`

Teschen disease / Talfan disease

A commercial swine farm reports that several grower pigs have developed an acute respiratory illness over the past few days. The affected pigs are febrile and exhibit a harsh, persistent cough that can be heard from a considerable distance across the farm, prompting workers to refer to it as the “one-mile cough.” As the outbreak progresses, several farm workers involved in caring for the sick pigs also develop flu-like symptoms, raising concerns about a zoonotic disease. Based on the rapid spread of respiratory signs in pigs and the occurrence of illness among people exposed to the animals, the attending veterinarian suspects a viral disease capable of infecting both swine and humans.

Barking pig disease

Quiz: What is this poisoning of piglet which is an acute often fatal condition cause by overdosing of the injectable drug. It triggers exudative stress, cardiovascular collapse and tissue damage. The condition pririmarly affects pigs particularly those deficient in vitamin E and Selenium?

Iron poisoning

Quiz; What poisoning in which this toxicosis in pigs usually happens when dietary levels excessed 205 ppm for extender period. It causes jaundice, severe gastrointeritis and reduce growth rate. Chronic cases can lead to liver and kidney damage

Mycotoxin poisoning

Quiz: This dificiency of pigs causes oxidative damage that leads to sudden death in past growing weaners. Dificiency presents primarily as Mulberry heart disease , Hepatosis dietica, White muscle disease and it is severe in iron toxicity.

Vitamin E and Selenium deficiency

Quiz: This dificiency in pigs causes severe impairement of energy metabolism. Primary clinical signs causes high stepping or goose stepping, uncoordinated movement, Non infectious, bloody or watery diarrhea, Poor growth, Loss of appetite, Skin lesion

Vitamin B5 deficiency

Quiz. This is an infectious disease with harsh loud barking cough audible from the distance and in more severe cases often seen in breeding sows and boars but pigs also exhibit tremor, muscle spasms and uncoordinate movement. General symptoms are fever and abortion in pregnant sow. In Subclinical cases many infected pigs display 0 outward symptoms but shred the virus

Barking pig disease

In pig farm, there is lameness, inflammation of hoof, presence of wound (hoof area), necrosis of foot (hoof area), Inability to stand, Anorexia and Debilitation. Upon physical exam there is necrosis and wound foot (hoot area).

Foot rot