In case of violation of the technology of keeping pigs, outbreaks of a wide variety of infectious diseases can occur in the herd. One of the most dangerous and unpleasant is pasteurellosis. Under certain circumstances, this contagious disease can even be transmitted to humans. To successfully combat this infection, it is important to know and recognize its symptoms in time, as well as to have an idea of how to prevent and treat it.
Forms of the disease
Pasteurellosis is most often infected by young stocks being fattened. This disease can occur in three forms:
Sometimes this disease occurs in a super-acute form.
Symptoms
Acute pasteurellosis of pigs can be determined by the following signs:
- increase in body temperature of the animal to 41-42 gr.;
- loss of appetite;
- rapid breathing;
- general weakness;
- dyspnea;
- discharge from the nose;
- chills.
Cyanosis of the ears and mucous membranes of the piglet are also the main symptoms of this dangerous disease. Very often in animals infected with pasteurellosis, the so-called sitting dog pose is observed. In addition, the disease in most cases manifests itself with multiple hemorrhages under the skin and conjunctivitis. Sometimes a pig may experience diarrhea.
If the disease is not started to be treated within the first days, then soon (after about 8 days) the animal is likely to die. Also, acute pasteurellosis of pigs (a photo of a sick individual can be seen above) often goes into a chronic form. In the latter case, the piglet will primarily experience symptoms such as general weakness, exhaustion, and developmental arrest. In addition, in chronic animals, joints may swell and eczema may occur.
Pathogen
These are the symptoms of pasteurellosis in pigs. Both its treatment and prevention are primarily aimed at increasing the immunity of the animal, as well as the destruction of the pathogen itself. Pasteurellosis in pigs is caused by the aerobic bacterium Pasteurella - a short immobile ovoid bacillus. There are only six of its varieties: P. haemolytica, P. pneumotropica, P. multocida, P. aerogenes, P. urea, P. gallinarum. The causative agent of pasteurellosis in pigs is usually the first and third type of bacteria.
In nature, Pasteurella is very widespread. This stick, for example, is always present in the mucous of domestic animals. However, it begins to show its destructive effect, of course, only with weakening of the carrier’s immunity. This pathogen was discovered was a famous microbiologist and chemist Louis Pasteur. Hence its name.
How is the disease transmitted?
Animals are infected with pasteurellosis usually when the sanitary and epidemiological requirements are not met on the farm. The best environment for the causative agent of this disease is manure. In this substance, the Pasteurella bacteria can survive for up to 72 days. Therefore, to clean the pigsties should be as thorough as possible.
Also, an outbreak of infection can be caused by non-compliance with the rules for the separate keeping of animals. The main carriers of pasteurellosis are rabbits. These small animals are very susceptible to various kinds of contagious diseases due to a rather weak immunity. Therefore, they should be kept away from other farm animals, including piglets.
Among other things, the Pasteurella bacterium can get into the pigsty with mixed feed purchased in an unsafe infectious diseases farm. Very often, the infection is transmitted through stale drink (in water and soil, the bacterium can last up to 26 days). It also happens that the distributors of pasteurellosis are individuals acquired on other farms (to replenish the herd or as producers). Pasteurella is released into the environment by sick animals, mainly with bowel movements, as well as with nasal discharge.
The course of the disease and the diagnosis
The incubation period that is not too long is what pigs pasteurellosis is characterized by. Symptoms of the acute form of this disease usually appear 2–3 days after infection. Signs of super-acute pasteurellosis can be seen in animals after a few hours. This disease occurs in pigs most often against the background of other bacterial and viral infections.
When symptoms of Pasteurella infection begin to appear on the farm, veterinarians should be invited. An accurate diagnosis is made not only on the basis of the clinical picture, but also according to the results of bacteriological studies.
Treatment methods
Pig pasteurellosis is a very dangerous infection, because as a result of its spread, livestock losses on the farm are significant. Only measures taken in time will help to reduce losses. After the diagnosis, the veterinarian usually prescribes pigs to take tetracycline or sulfanilamide preparations. For example, intramuscular injections of norsulfazole (2-5 g per 30 ml of distilled water) can help animals overcome the disease. Antibiotics such as Dibiomycin and Econovocillin are also effective in controlling pig pasteurellosis.
Symptomatic medications are often prescribed for infected pigs. It can be, for example, "Urotropin" (2-5 g).
Among other things, a special hyperimmune serum against pig pasteurellosis is considered a very good way of treatment. Its necessary dose for adult animals is 60-80 ml, for young animals - 20-40 ml.
Preventative measures
The rapid spread of non-compliance with animal welfare rules is what pigs pasteurellosis is primarily characterized by. Treatment and prophylaxis should be required. Otherwise, the lunge in the herd will be very large.
Of course, a farmer who wants to protect animals from infection should first of all take care of the cleanliness of the pigsty. However, taking measures such as treating the premises with antibacterial drugs and cleaning manure is often not enough. The fact is that Pasteurella, unfortunately, is resistant to most disinfectants. Therefore, prevention against pasteurosis should include, first of all, the implementation of measures to prevent the penetration of this bacterium into the pigsty. And this means that the farmer should first of all take care of arranging a quarantine room intended for the acquired repair young stock or producers. It is also necessary to take the most responsible approach to the choice of a feed supplier and equip an uninterruptedly functioning water supply system on the farm.
The immune system in piglets is usually quite strong. However, weakening the animal, and therefore lead to infection, may also include improper or inadequate feeding. Pigs in the process of breeding should receive the necessary protein-rich feed, as well as various kinds of additives containing vitamins and minerals useful for their body.
Vaccination of piglets
And, of course, vaccinations are the most effective measure to prevent outbreaks of this disease in pigsties. An emulsified vaccine against pig pasteurellosis is usually used twice. The immune response in animals is formed approximately 25-30 days after the second injection. The actual effect of using the vaccine lasts up to 6 months.
Very small pigs with pasteurellosis do not get sick. The fact is that the milk of the vaccinated sow already contains substances that support their immunity. Therefore, the first vaccination of piglets is done only at 25-30 days of age. The second vaccination is carried out after 20-40 days. Injections are done intramuscularly in the neck of the animal. The required dose of the drug is 0.5 cm 3 .
Pregnant pigs should be vaccinated once - 30-45 days before farrowing. In this case, a double dose of vaccine should be used - 1 cm 3 . In this case, the drug is also injected intramuscularly into the neck.
The shelf life of an emulsified vaccine against a disease such as pig pasteurellosis is 1 year from the date of release. Store it in a warm, dry place.
Conclusion
Pig pasteurellosis is, therefore, a very dangerous disease. After all, it is transmitted very quickly. In this case, all infected animals can die. In any case, sick pigs will not gain weight well, which will ultimately negatively affect the profitability of the farm. Therefore, owners of pigsties should definitely carry out all the necessary preventive measures aimed at preventing the spread of pasteurellosis among animals. In the case of symptoms of this disease, veterinarians should be called to the farm immediately.