Pigs - animals are pretty hardy and unpretentious in care. They are sick relatively rarely. But, of course, sometimes health problems arise in these farm animals. In this case, the piglets usually begin to lose weight, and sometimes even die at all. In order not to incur losses, the farmer needs, of course, to know which diseases in pigs are the most common and how to properly treat these animals.
Types of diseases
Health problems in pigs can occur for various reasons. The most common diseases are classified into three main groups:
- infectious;
- non-infectious;
- parasitic.
In this case, most often pigs suffer from non-communicable diseases associated with improper care or feeding. These animals are infected relatively rarely with parasites. The same goes for infections. Helminthiasis in pigs is usually cured quickly enough and without problems. Viral and bacterial diseases are the most dangerous for these animals.
Infectious diseases of pigs and their symptoms
Most often, pigs on farms become infected:
- plague;
- erysipelas;
- Teshen's disease;
- parvovirus infection;
- Aujeszky's disease;
- vesicular disease;
- edematous disease (colienterotoxemia);
All of these diseases are very dangerous. Any of them can lead to death and, consequently, to significant losses. Symptoms of infectious diseases in piglets are most often: fever, depression, digestive upset.
Swine fever: symptoms, treatment methods
This disease is caused by a filtered virus. Sources of plague infection may include farm care items, animal excreta, water, and feed. Carry this infection and all sorts of rodents, as well as flies.
It is the plague that is currently the most dangerous disease of pigs. There are only three main forms of it - chronic, acute and subacute. And all of them are quite dangerous. In acute plague, pigs show the following symptoms:
- increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees while maintaining appetite;
- loss of appetite on the second or third day after the onset of the disease;
- decrease in body temperature in the following days;
- the appearance on the skin of many point pink-red spots;
- depressed state;
- unsteady gait.
Plague - a disease of pigs, in which, unfortunately, a fatal outcome is possible. Adult animals with acute form of plague die on 10-12 days, pigs, often 2-3. In surviving individuals, the disease becomes chronic or subacute. At the same time, the following are observed in piglets:
- perversion of appetite;
- exhaustion;
- digestive disorders;
- pneumonia;
- eczema skin.
Plague is a very dangerous disease of pigs. The photo below shows how the animals suffering from it look. Farmed pigs are not treated on farms. Usually infected individuals are immediately cut into meat. Fortunately, the swine fever is not transmitted to humans.
Symptoms and treatment of erysipelas
This disease, unfortunately, is contagious, including for people. The causative agent of erysipelas is the bacterium Erysipelothrix insidiosa. Like the plague, this infection can be transmitted through food, water, care items, animal feces, etc. There are only four main forms of this disease:
- lightning fast;
- spicy;
- subacute;
- chronic
The fulminant form is rare in piglets. Most often it is diagnosed in pigs aged 7-10 months. Symptoms of fulminant form are:
- a strong increase in body temperature;
- depressed state;
- heart weakness;
- refusal of feed.
Piglets die in this form of the disease for several hours. In acute erysipelas, the symptoms in pigs are the same. Moreover, they also have constipation, followed by diarrhea, and conjunctivitis. The subacute form of erysipelas in piglets is manifested, including the appearance of hives on the skin, and then inflamed swelling, darkening over time. The chronic course of this disease is characterized by damage to the heart, joints, as well as skin necrosis.
They treat animals when diagnosing erysipelas with special serum and antibiotics. At the same time, vitamin preparations are also used, antipyretic and strengthening the heart, funds. Prevention of this disease is carried out by vaccination and creating good conditions for animals.
Teshen's disease
This is another infection that can cause significant damage to the farmer. Mortality in such an epidemic in a herd can reach 30-50%. The main symptoms of Teshen disease in pigs are:
- an increase in body temperature in the first days and its decrease in the subsequent;
- vomiting
- impaired coordination of movements and subsequent paralysis;
- encephalitis.
Paralysis in piglets with this disease is usually manifested by failure of the hind limbs. Then it affects the body, and then the head.
Infected pigs, as with erysipelas, are usually not treated. At the first sign of Teshen disease, animals are killed.
How does Aujeszky's disease manifest
This infection, also called pseudorabies, can affect pigs of all ages. Its main symptom is scratching due to persistent itching. Among other things, Aujeszky's disease in pigs is manifested by fever, pneumonia and lesions of the central nervous system.
Mortality from this infection in very small piglets can reach up to 95-100%. Adult pigs are more resistant and die relatively rarely.
Unfortunately, an effective treatment, as in the cases described above, for Aujeszky’s disease has not been developed. In any case, antibiotics from such an infection do not help. In the early stages, infected animals are usually prescribed drugs designed for active immunization.
Vesicular disease
This infection appears in piglets:
- fever;
- the formation of vesicles on the skin.
The causative agent of swine vesicular disease is Enterovirus. In infected animals, among other things, appetite decreases, signs of damage to the nervous system appear, diarrhea begins. Vesicles with this disease appear on the tongue of piglets, snout, extremities, lips, nipples of the udder.
Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for this disease. Piglets suffering from it are given soft feeds and provide them with clean water. Antiseptics are also used.
Swine edema: symptoms and treatment
Such an infection spreads in the herd, mainly due to improper care of animals. Its outbreak is possible, for example, if the piglets are given too little water. The main reason for the development of edematous disease in animals is the active reproduction of toxic bacteria in the digestive tract.
Colienterotoxemia is a swine disease that usually begins suddenly. In infected piglets, the following symptoms appear:
- digestive upset;
- swollen eyes
- lack of appetite;
- blue skin of the abdomen, head and limbs;
- lack of coordination;
- fever.
The skin of diseased piglets becomes very sensitive. The death of an animal, depending on age, can occur after a period of time from 3 hours to 2 days.
They treat swollen edema of pigs with sulfanilamide drugs, as well as antibiotics intended for use in dysbiosis. To reduce vascular permeability, calcium chloride is administered intravenously to piglets. Diphenhydramine and suprastin are also used.
Parvovirus infection
This disease is characteristic only for pigs and exclusively for females. It is caused by a causative agent belonging to the genus Parvoviruses. The main symptoms of porcine parvovirus disease are:
- infertility;
- frequent abortions;
Still signs of this infection may be stillbirth and mummification of the fetus.
The treatment for this pig infectious disease has not been developed. To prevent an outbreak, a vaccine containing an inactivated virus is used.
Parasitic diseases
Infectious diseases of pigs, the symptoms and treatment of which have been described above, can lead to a significant reduction in the herd. Parasitic diseases are considered somewhat less dangerous. But also because of them, the farmer can suffer significant losses. Such diseases of pigs are affected relatively often. They usually arise due to insufficient good care and when ignoring preventive measures. The most common parasitic diseases of piglets are:
- coccidiosis;
- ascariasis;
- sarcoptosis.
Coccidiosis in pigs: how to treat
This disease is caused by protozoa protozoa. Coccidiosis appears only in piglets up to 4 months of age. Adult animals are only its carriers.
In pigs, signs of coccidiosis are:
- watery light stool;
- increase in body temperature;
- exhaustion.
Some animals with coccidiosis die. For treatment, in this case, furazolidone is used at a dosage of 3 mg per kilogram of piglet weight. Drink this medicine to the animal for 5 days. For the treatment of dehydration, rehydron is used or physiological saline is administered subcutaneously.
Prevention of coccidiosis consists in compliance with sanitary standards for keeping animals, as well as in providing them with good nutrition.
Ascariasis
This is another common pig disease. The photo below shows the parasite Ascaris suum causing it, which settles in the small intestine of animals. The color of these worms is white with a pink tinge. The length of their body can in some cases reach 40 cm. Infection with ascariasis can occur through food or water.
The main symptoms of this disease are:
- allergy;
- pneumonia;
- fever;
- cramps
- coughing and rapid breathing.
Sick piglets gnash their teeth, move with difficulty, hide in the litter. Sometimes a rash appears on the skin of animals. If the disease becomes chronic, the piglets are exhausted, they have diarrhea or constipation.
Ascaridosis is treated with piperazine hexahydrate or its salts. The medicine is given to animals twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. At the same time, young animals are fed 0.3 g / kg, for individuals weighing more than 50 kg - 15 g.
Sarcoptosis
This pig disease is also called scabies. Its causative agent is the microscopic tick Sarcoptes suis. Pigs are infected with sarcoptosis in most cases with high humidity in the barn, high crowding and unsanitary conditions.
The main symptom of scabies in pigs is severe itching of the body. Ill piglets become restless, rub against nearby objects, eat worse. Some time after infection, scratches in the form of light and dark spots appear on the body of animals. Later pigs begin to lose hair, cartilaginous tissue of the ears is affected, there is a lack of oxygen. Piglets become susceptible to other diseases.
Pigs are treated for sarcoptosis by spraying or bathing in solutions of acaricides. This can be, for example, chlorophos, highly chlorinated turpentine, a creolin emulsion, etc. Spraying or bathing should be done twice a day.
Non-communicable diseases
Parasites can cause significant harm to pigs. But most often, these animals still suffer from non-communicable diseases, the most common of which are:
- dyspepsia;
- bronchitis;
- rickets;
- peptic ulcer;
- cannibalism.
Dyspepsia
This disease often affects very small piglets. Moreover, not a single breed is safe from this disease. Vietnamese pig, white Moscow, duroc - dyspepsia can develop in any animal.
In particular, digestive upset is often found in newborn piglets. The main symptoms of dyspepsia are:
- intoxication and dehydration of the body;
- diarrhea;
- loss of appetite;
- depressed state;
- dry mucous membranes;
- sunken eyes.
Unfortunately, very often, pigs with dyspepsia die. Treatment of animals should begin immediately after the onset of symptoms of the disease. In this case, first of all, stop feeding the piglets. With severe development of dyspepsia, animals are given enemas. To restore the water balance, piglets are soldered with saline and herbal decoctions.
On a half-starved diet of animals with dyspepsia, keep at least 2 days. Then gradually increase the amount of feed offered to normal.
With dyspepsia in the digestive tract of piglets, among other things, various pathogenic microorganisms begin to multiply. Therefore, sick animals are fed or administered intramuscularly with antibiotics. If the disease does not stop, piglets are additionally given astringents, for example, a decoction of oak bark. To eliminate intoxication, animals are offered sorbents.
Symptoms of swine bronchitis
This disease develops in piglets in unsanitary conditions and high humidity. Bronchitis can be observed in animals of all ages. Most often, this disease of pigs affects in the cold season. The main symptoms of bronchitis in piglets are:
- poor appetite and depression;
- fever;
- rapid breathing and pulse;
- discharge from the nose.
Cough in diseased pigs is initially dry and then wet. If signs of bronchitis are found, the piglets are immediately transferred to a warm, dry room. In the diet of animals include a large number of high quality digestible feed, as well as mineral supplements.
For treatment, inhalations with menthol, creolin or turpentine are used. Also, the preparation terpinhydrate of 0.5-1.5 g / kg or marshmallow root (10 g) is used. In severe cases, sulfonamide drugs and antibiotics are used.
How rickets manifests itself and is treated
This disease is most often observed in piglets 1-2 months after weaning them from the uterus. At this time, animals grow intensively. With poor-quality feeding, their body simply begins to lack the necessary minerals.
Most often, rickets is caused by a lack of vitamin D and calcium salts. Also contributes to the development of this disease, the content of pigs in dark, wet, unventilated rooms.
Rickets appear:
- lagging piglets in development;
- decreased muscle tone and cramps;
- painful reaction to noise and bright light;
- limp.
Often in sick piglets, the shape of the pelvis and chest also changes. The back of such animals bends, and the legs bend. In some cases, piglets begin to gnaw at the walls.
They treat pig rickets by adding vitamin D and mineral trace elements to food. Irradiation of animals with mercury-quartz lamps also helps with this disease. The course of treatment for one piglet usually takes 200 g of fish oil and 0.02 g of phosphorus. These two components are mixed and give the resulting medicine to animals twice a day at 2 h / L.
Pig Cannibalism
Dyspepsia and bronchitis are perhaps the most common diseases of pigs. And their treatment and prevention on the farm is a very important matter. But often pig farmers also encounter another very common problem - cannibalism of piglets.
Such a disease is most often diagnosed on large farms when keeping animals in a common pen without bedding and aviaries. It manifests itself in the pathological desire of some individuals to bite off the tails, nipples of the udder and ears of their relatives. Young piglets are most susceptible to this disease.
The main causes of cannibalism in pigs are:
- crowded content;
- use of insufficiently long feeders (when all animals cannot eat at the same time);
- sudden changes in the microclimate in the pigsty;
- helminthic diseases;
- bleeding in individual individuals.
To exclude injury to piglets, aggressive individuals are transferred to a separate room. In injured animals, they are cleaned with cotton swabs and iodized with wounds. Next, a tourniquet or bandage is applied to the damaged organ or a patch is glued.
Peptic ulcer
This disease develops in piglets usually with improper feeding. Also, stress can become the cause of its development. The main symptoms of swine peptic ulcer are loss of appetite and decreased activity. You can also suspect an ulcer if the piglet has:
- vomiting with bile after eating;
- bleeding.
Feces in pigs suffering from peptic ulcer are usually black. For the treatment of this disease, drugs that reduce the acidity of the stomach, antibacterial drugs, drugs that improve the healing of the mucosa are used.
Veterinary kit in the pigsty
The most common pig diseases with symptoms and treatment have been described above. The photos of the pigs presented on the page clearly demonstrate how dangerous the illnesses of these animals can be. Of course, in order for the pigs not to get sick, they should provide the highest quality care. The barn for these animals must be well insulated and equipped with ventilation. Adequate lighting should also be provided in the pigsty. Piglets should not be kept in high humidity and in a draft. Also, there should not be a large crowding of animals.
The diet for piglets should be designed so that they receive all the nutrients necessary for good development. Pigs should receive feed containing a large amount of protein, vitamins and minerals.
A farmer raising these animals should have a certain supply of essential medicines. The veterinary kit of the pig farmer must be equipped with the following preparations:
- ointment "Levomekol";
- Dorogov antiseptic stimulator;
- Oxytocin
- Ivermek;
- Alvetom.
- Vitamin Vitamin Complex.
Ointment "Levomekol" is used to accelerate wound healing, as well as an antiseptic. ASD medicine is used for:
- gastrointestinal diseases;
- genitourinary system;
- respiratory organs;
- skin lesions;
- metabolic disorders;
- weakness in animals after an illness.
"Oxytocin" is used in farrowing pigs. This preparation is given to animals at the cessation of labor, being confident that the pig is not stuck in the birth canal. This medicine can enhance uterine muscle contraction.
Ivermek is an antiparasitic drug. Pigs are prescribed for:
- ascariasis;
- trichocephalosis;
- stefanurosis, etc.
Alvet medicine is characterized by a wide spectrum of anthelmintic action. The Vitam complex is prescribed to pigs for intoxication, impaired protein metabolism, and hypovitaminosis.