Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Coliform mastitis - Coliform bacteria are bacteria that are related to E. coli.
The two commonest in sow mastitis appear to be E. coli itself and klebsiella
species. These organisms can be responsible for severe acute necrotizing
mastitis. They release a toxin (endotoxin) which results in reduction in milk
yield, a very ill sow and poor "doing" piglets. Marked discoloration of the skin
over the udder and dark bluing of surrounding skin, ears and tail is a feature
of the condition.
Major herd problems can develop because the normal habitat is the pigs
intestine and feces, and bacteria may also be present, particularly klebsiella,
in sows' urine. Consequently, they are everywhere in a piggery and can
survive and build up in water bowl, pipes and header tanks. They can
multiply rapidly in stagnant contaminated pools or films of liquid on the
farrowing room floors and in wet bedding under the sow. Coliform mastitis
may thus be regarded as environmental in origin.
Staphylococcal and streptococcal mastitis - These are usually less acute
and less severe than coliform mastitis. They tend to occur sporadically in
individual sows in one or two or sometimes several glands and usually do not
make the sow ill. The exception is an acute severe staphylococcal infection
usually in a single gland which becomes swollen, hard and discolored. In the
majority of cases however the sow remains normal with a hard gland which
has reduced milk supply.
Unlike coliform bacteria the source
contaminated environment but the
herself. There is some evidence to
sheep some of these bacteria may
then flare up at or after farrowing
Poor farrowing pen hygiene, bad drainage, inadequate and poor quality
bedding.
The use of saw dust or shavings for bedding that becomes soaked in
water or urine.
Clinical signs
Acute disease
The sow is in appetent at farrowing, or before if mastitis is already
developing, she is obviously ill and the mucous membranes of her eyes are
brick red. There may be discoloration of the ears and the whole of the udder
but particularly over the affected glands. In the early stages, palpation as
described earlier will identify the infected quarters but observation alone is
often enough to detect swollen glands without carrying out an examination.
The temperature ranges from 40 - 42C (104 -107F).
Chronic disease
This follows acute episodes at farrowing or at weaning. The mammary tissue
is infiltrated with abscesses and hard lumps that are usually not painful when
palpated. They may ulcerate to the surface and thereby become a potential
source of infection to other sows.
Diagnosis
The clinical signs are usually sufficient to diagnose mastitis. However if there
is a herd problem with a number of sows affected, you should examine all
3
Treatment
Treatment should consist of the following:
Top dress sows' feed with antibiotic commencing 3 to 5 days prefarrowing. Use OTC, trimethoprim/sulpha, amoxycillin or CTC depending
on the antibiotic sensitivity.
the mammary gland. Occasionally mastitis will arise from a blood borne
infection associated with the farrowing process.
The following factors predispose to mastitis and require remedial action:
The use of saw dust or shavings for bedding that becomes soaked in
water or urine.
If floor surfaces are poor these can be improved by brushing them with
lime wash containing approximately 1oz to the gallon of a phenolic
disinfectant. This should be allowed to dry for 48 hours or so before the
sow enters the crate to farrow.
The udder can be sprayed daily with an iodine based dairy teat dip,
commencing 24 hours before expected farrowing. This spraying should
continue once a day for the first two days post-farrowing. If a specific
organism is identified and its antibiotic sensitivity is known, the sows
feed can be top-dressed from day of entry into the farrowing houses
Salmonellosis (Bacteria)
Salmonellosis can occur at any age but is most common in growing pigs over
eight weeks of age. Severe S. choleraesuis infection occurs typically at
around 12 to 14 weeks.
Disease is dose dependent, that is, a relatively large number of organisms
are required before clinical signs occur.
Poor hygiene.
Overcrowding.
Clinical signs
Weaners & Growers
The skin of the extremities (i.e. tail, ears, nose and feet) become blue.
Yellow jaundice may result from liver damage and lameness from
arthritis.
10
Piglets
Sows
Clinical signs of Salmonella choleraesuis and occasionally Salmonella
typhimurium infection may include any combination of the following:
A high temperature.
Depression.
Loss of appetite.
Pneumonia.
Coughing.
Nervous signs.
Diagnosis
11
Similar diseases
Severe salmonellosis caused by S. choleraesuis can occur alone but it also
commonly occurs at the same time as classical swine fever (hog cholera) in
those countries in which this disease still occurs. In such countries it is
important to ensure by serology and laboratory tests that swine fever is not
the primary cause (NB. swine fever usually also affects sows and sucking
piglets and also causes mummified litters and abortions).
Severe PRRS in herds with endemic EP may give the appearance of
salmonellosis; however PRRS also causes abortions, stillbirths and
precipitates scouring in piglets.
Treatment
12
Avoid the movement of pig feces between one batch and another.
13
14
Clinical signs
Acute disease
Sometimes the only sign is a good pig found dead 1 to 4 weeks post
weaning. A typical live affected pig will show a staggering gate, puffy eyelids
giving a sleepy appearance and an abnormal high pitched squeak. Pigs stop
eating and in the later stages become partially paralyzed and go off their
legs, sometimes with nervous symptoms. Diarrhea is not a consistent feature
but breathing difficulties become evident. The damage to the brain is
irreversible and most pigs die. Recovery in the few pigs that do not die takes
up to 2 to 3 weeks. Certain breeds of pigs may be associated with disease
suggesting a genetic predisposition. The temperature is usually normal.
Diagnosis
This is made from the typical clinical signs, the sudden appearance of
disease after weaning, post-mortem examinations showing oedema of the
greater curvature of the stomach wall, coiled colon, and eyelids and isolation
of the hemolytic E. coli serotypes from the duodenum (anterior small
intestine).
Treatment
By the time the clinical signs are seen it is often too late and most pigs die.
Treatment routines are aimed at preventing the organism establishing itself
and also reducing the weight of infection. The general principles of
controlling coliform infections and post-weaning diarrhea should be followed.
15
It must be admitted however that the disease is most difficult to deal with
and often preventative medication and treatment are unsuccessful.
Reduce piglet exposure to the E. coli during sucking. Adopt all the
procedures in the farrowing house for the control of scour in the
sucking pig.
Assess the effects of zinc oxide to the diet at a level of 2500ppm zinc.
16
17
Biting insects.
Internal parasites
Tagging gilts.
Fighting.
Fighting.
Clinical signs
Acute disease
Affected sows are in appetent with fever 40-42C (105-107F) when high
numbers of organisms are present in the blood. This clinical picture is seen
after farrowing and anemia is a common symptom. Similar acute infections
occur in sows at weaning time together with anestrus.
Chronic disease
18
Sows become debilitated and pale with jaundice, poor conception, repeat
matings and anestrus. Signs of infertility that have been attributed to Epe
include:
Anemia.
Jaundice.
Abortion.
Diagnosis
This is carried out by making a blood smear on a glass
special stain (Wright's stain) and looking for the
microscope. The presence of Epe in a smear need
disease and there is still controversy over the actual
and its capacity to cause disease.
Treatment
19
Wipe the needle between each animal with cotton wool and surgical
spirit.
20
21
Disease normally only seen when virus first enters the herd.
Clinical signs
There is an acute watery diarrhea and no evidence of blood or mucus. In
breeding finishing farms disease is usually sporadic; however PED is common
where weaners are continually entering finishing only operations. Groups of
pigs become infected when they reach a certain age and as they enter a
building where infection is endemic. Mortality is usually low but morbidity
can be high.
Diagnosis
This is based on the history, clinical symptoms and examinations of feces
samples for evidence of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus by ELISA tests or
electron microscopy.
Post-mortem examination of dead pigs and laboratory tests on the small
intestine may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Similar diseases
TGE could give a similar picture and live affected pigs are best submitted to
a laboratory for differential tests.
Treatment
The growing pig normally recovers without treatment unless there are
secondary infections. In such cases antibiotics in the water or
preventative medication in-feed maybe required.
22
All-in all-out procedures with disinfection will often break the cycle.
23