The challenge of treating weaning disease in pigs
Weaning is a critical period when piglets face many physiological and environmental challenges at the same time. Stress during this period often triggers a number of serious pathologies, requiring timely intervention.
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Treatment of edema disease – Treatment of weaning disease in pigs
Edema disease (ED) usually occurs 5-10 days after weaning, affecting well-developed piglets first. This is a form of poisoning caused by E. coli secreting Shiga toxin, causing fluid accumulation in the tissues. Treatment is challenging because by the time clinical signs appear, toxin production is already well advanced.
Emergency measures for infected pigs:
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Administer parenteral antibiotics based on antibiotic sensitivity testing results
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Supportive therapy to combat acidosis and dehydration
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Temporarily stop feeding or replace with a high-fiber, low-protein diet
Prevention:
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Administer antibiotics via drinking water to control the spread in herd
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Ecoporc Shiga vaccination, a new vaccine that provides effective protection against intestinal edema disease
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Dividing feeding rations (3-4 meals/day) to minimize overeating behavior – a cause of aggravating the disease
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Diarrhea control – Treatment of weaning disease
Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) usually occurs within the first two weeks after piglets are weaned from their mothers. It is one of the most serious economic problems in the global swine industry, with mortality rates in acute outbreaks reaching 20-30%. The main cause is E. coli (ETEC), mainly belonging to serogroup O149.
Effective treatment:
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Rehydration: Provide an electrolyte solution containing glucose
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Targeted antibiotic use, based on laboratory test results
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Environmental improvement: Maintain warm, dry conditions and use desiccant powder to support recovery of sick pigs
Nutritional alternatives to antibiotics:
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Reduce dietary protein, while balancing essential amino acids to limit limit undigested protein reaching the large intestine
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Supplement organic acids such as lactic acid, propionic acid and formic acid to reduce harmful bacteria
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Use plant essential oils, as recent research has shown they have antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help improve gut health and limit the growth of coliform bacteria
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Respiratory Disease Intervention – Treatment of Weaned Pig Disease
Post-weaning respiratory disease complex (PRDC) is the result of multiple respiratory pathogens acting on piglets as maternally acquired antibodies gradually decline. The disease process usually occurs in stages:
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PRRS virus causes loss of alveolar macrophages (weeks 3-6 after weaning)
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Porcine respiratory coronavirus invades
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Swine flu virus attacks strongly at 3-4 months of age
Symptoms: Piglets show signs of fever, cough, difficulty breathing, many are slow to grow, lose weight, and if the disease is severe, it can lead to a high mortality rate. Milder cases still cause slow growth in piglets until the fattening stage. Notably, air quality (especially ammonia levels) plays an important role in the development of respiratory disease.
Treatment regimen:
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Strategic antibiotic use to control bacterial pathogens
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Antibiotic injections for severely affected individuals
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Antibiotics in drinking water for flock-wide treatment
Prevention:
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Improve ventilation, reduce stocking density
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Application “all in, all out” procedures to limit the spread
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Vaccination against component diseases, such as endemic pneumonia and pleurisy
