Explore the various health issues that can affect pigs in a production setting, including respiratory diseases, parasites, and nutritional deficiencies.
Understanding Common Health Issues in Pigs
Designed as quick‑reference notes for students, veterinarians, and swine producers.
| Category | Typical Age Affected | Primary Concern | Key Management Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory | Neonates → Grow‑out | Reduced growth, mortality | Air quality, vaccination |
| Digestive | Neonates & growers | Diarrhea, poor feed conversion | Hygiene, diet balance |
| Reproductive | Breeding sows | Low litter size, stillbirths | Nutrition, biosecurity |
| Skin & Appendages | All ages | Lesions, lameness | Clean environment, parasite control |
| Systemic/Metabolic | All ages (stress‑sensitive) | Sudden death, weakness | Balanced ration, stress reduction |
| Disease | Etiology | Clinical Signs | Diagnosis | Prevention / Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC) | Mixed viral (PRRSV, Swine Influenza, PCV2) + bacterial (M. hyopneumoniae, Actinobacillus) | Cough, dyspnea, fever, poor weight gain | PCR/RT‑PCR on nasal swabs, lung lesions at necropsy | All‑in‑all vaccination, herd segregation, ventilation |
| Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Enzootic Pneumonia) | Mycoplasma spp. | Dry cough, moist snouts, “dry” lungs | Serology, PCR, ELISA | Sow vaccination, piglet “back‑boost” vaccination, all‑in‑all |
| Swine Influenza (H1N1, H3N2, etc.) | Orthomyxovirus | Sudden fever, lethargy, coughing, nasal discharge | RT‑PCR, virus isolation | Stamping‑out of outbreaks, biosecurity, annual vaccine update |
| Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) | Arterivirus | Fever, respiratory distress, reproductive failure | qPCR on serum, serology | Live‑attenuated or killed vaccine, herd closure, gilt acclimation |
Key Management Points
| Condition | Primary Cause | Typical Age | Signs | Diagnostic Tools | Control Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neonatal Diarrhea (Scours) | E. coli (F4/F18), Coccidia, Rotavirus, Clostridium perfringens | 1–7 days | Watery diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy | Fecal culture, PCR panels | Colostrum intake > 200 ml, hygiene, zinc oxide (≤ 125 ppm) or copper sulfate, vaccinate sows against ETEC |
| Post‑Weaning Diarrhea | E. coli, Salmonella, Lawsonia intracellularis | 3–8 weeks | Loose stool, reduced feed intake | Fecal PCR, culture, serology | Gradual weaning, diet transition, acid |