Swine_5_Conditions_diseases_in_gilts_sows_boars_Spring_2025

Conditions and Diseases in Swine

Overview

  • Presented by Munetsi Tagwireyi and Ailbhe King, Assistant Professors in Large Animal and Production Animal Medicine.


Learning Objectives (Page 2)

  • Understand the impact of infectious diseases on reproductive performance and productivity in swine.

  • Review the presentation, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment of specific diseases:

    • PRRSV (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus)

    • Leptospirosis

    • Parvovirus

    • Brucellosis

    • Rectal prolapse and stricture

    • Vaginal prolapse

    • Porcine Stress Syndrome (PSS)/Malignant Hyperthermia

    • Mycoplasma hyosynoviae


Common Conditions (Page 3)

  • A variety of ailments observed in swine that impact health include:

    • Skin issues (abrasions, abscesses, and mange)

    • Gastrointestinal problems (constipation, diarrhea, gastric ulcers)

    • Respiratory diseases (pneumonia, mycoplasma infections)

    • Reproductive issues (mastitis, agalactia)

    • Neurological conditions (meningitis, ataxia)

    • Infectious diseases (swine fever, leptospirosis, enteroviruses)


Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) (Pages 4-8)

Introduction

  • Infectious virus characterized as an enveloped RNA arterivirus, specifically affecting pigs.

Pathogenesis

  • Has a high affinity for pig macrophages leading to significant immune suppression.

Clinical Signs in Naïve Herds (Page 5)

  • Late-term abortions, stillbirths, mummies, and weak piglets.

  • Respiratory disease evident across all ages, particularly in sows and gilts with signs of fever and coughing.

Clinical Signs in Endemic Herds (Page 6)

  • Similar reproductive issues with increased mortality rates in piglets.

Control Measures (Page 7)

  • Exposure of gilts to older sows prior to breeding.

  • Use of PRRS-free semen and vaccination strategies, with modified-live vaccines reducing fetal losses but not for pregnant sows.


Leptospirosis (Pages 8-12)

Causative Agents

  • Multiple serovars of Leptospira species, showing preference for kidneys and genital tract.

Pathogenesis

  • Enters through mucous membranes, leads to systemic leptospiremia impacting vital organs and causing capillary damage.

Clinical Signs (Page 10)

  • Often mild in mature swine; severe in young piglets (hemolytic anemia, jaundice).

Diagnosis and Control (Pages 11-12)

  • Diagnosis through serology and microscopic methods. Prevention via environment management, vaccination, and antibiotic treatment.


Parvovirus (Pages 13-16)

Disease Impact

  • Causes reproductive failures in naïve dams, leading to mummified fetuses and decreased litter sizes.

Epidemiology (Page 14)

  • Highly prevalent with possible transmission via secretions and transplacental infection.

Pathogenesis and Diagnosis (Pages 15-16)

  • Affects fetuses between 35-70 days of gestation; diagnosis via identification of PPV antigen.

Control Measures

  • Primarily vaccination strategies to prevent infection.


Brucellosis (Pages 17)

Causative Agent

  • Brucella suis, primarily prevented through herd management.

Clinical Signs

  • Abortion during any stage of gestation, often without visible illness in sows.

Prevention

  • Typically involves depopulation of infected herds and limiting contact with feral swine.


Rectal Prolapse (Pages 18-20)

Causes

  • Due to conditions like tenesmus, dysuria, and chronic coughing.

Treatment Protocol

  • Involves cleaning, replacing, and using a purse-string suture pattern for fixation.


Stress-Related and Prolapse Conditions (Pages 24-27)

Porcine Stress Syndrome (PSS)

  • Genetic predisposition related to calcium channel mutation causing uncontrolled calcium release leading to severe stress reactions.

Clinical Manifestations

  • Includes muscle necrosis, pale soft exudative pork, and acute death due to stress or transportation.

Prevention Strategies

  • Proper housing, handling, and monitoring practices to reduce stress.


Knowledge Checks (Pages 31, 56)

  • Regular assessments of conditions in swine for signs of several infectious diseases, focusing on respective symptoms, and recommending appropriate treatment steps.

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