Common Diseases and Parasites

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Hog Cholera or Swine Fever:
pigs get contaminated through direct contact or by eating uncooked slops or kitchen scraps containing the virus.
SIGNS:fever.loss of appetite
-increased thrist,chills and sometimes vomiting constipation,later followed by diarrhea
-inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis) thick discharges causing eyelids to stick together
-reddish,purple discoloration of skin at ears,abdomen,inner thighs or tail
-death ensues 4-7 days after onset of signs
-prolonged duration of illness (chronic form) terminates in pneumonia or hemorrhagic enteritis or both

PREVENTION/CONTROL:
-vaccinate all pigs against the disease using a reliable vaccine,weanlings at 1 week before or after weaning,sows and boars every 6 months
-dispose all pigs known to have the disease.Disinfect contaminated pens and premises properly
-avoid giving uncooked slops or kitchen scraps to pigs which are common sources of infection
By: Melanio G. Supnet & Oscar G. Pagbababuyan

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Swine Dysentery:
SIGNS:loss of appetite
fever
rough coat and weakness
watery feces flecked with mucus or blood

PREVENTION/CONTROL:
-antibiotics in feed for 2 weeks when disease is prevalent
-Quarantine new arrivals for 1 week and feed high level antibiotics
By:Melanio G.Supnet &Oscar G.Pagbababayan

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Pneumonia Disease Complex:
SIGNS:-coughing
-eye and nasal discharge
-difficult breathing-abdominal nature
-chiling-muscular cramps,sneezing
-pneumonia symptoms are associated with the following conditions:
-swine plague-usually a complication of swine flu
-enzootic pneumonia-impaired growth and feed conversion rates for long time with frequent attachs of persistent dry cough
-swine flu-exposure to stress,particularly cold and inclement weather,poor drafty environment also favors chiling of susceptible pigs
-anthropic rhinitis-lateral distortion of nose,excessive sneezing of even week old piglets

PREVENTION:
-improve management and emphasize dry,clean,draft-free and well ventilated housing
-avoid overcrowding,as most respiratory disease are transmitted by inhalation of infected air particles
-provide plenty of clean,fresh water,nutritious feed and vitamin antibiotic feed supplement

TREATMENT:
-there is no specific treatment for swine flu,swine plague and enzootic pneumonia,however,antibiotics like tetracyclines and sulfas may be benefit.Respiratory stimulants  and antiseptics as well as good nursing care speed up recovery
for atrophic rhinitis,the following therapeutic approach is recommended,sulfamenthazine in feeds,sulfathiazole in water-1/3-1/2 gram per gallon
By:Melanio G.Supnet & Oscar G.Pagbababuyan

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Brucellosis Of Pigs Or Contagious Abortion:
HISTORY:-abortion when sow is at second or third month of pregnancy
-irregular heat cycles,presence of repeat breeders
-still births

SIGNS:-aborted fetus
-small litters or weak piglets
-may or may not have metritis
-localization of agent in joint causes in coordination,paralysis and lameness
-not necessarily fatal unless complicated by metritis

PREVENTION:-high incidence of the disease necessitates replacement of entire herd and
-restocking after 6-8 months
-apply strict hygienic measures on farm
-purchase breeding animals from certified negative herds
-as there is no satisfactory vaccine or treatment,the practical approach is to test and dispose of positive cases
By:Melanio G.Supnet and Oscar G. Pagbababuyan

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Scouring (Diarrhea) Or Gastroenteritis Complex:
inflammation of the small intestine by parasites,bacteria or by sudden change of diet.It is caused by various carriers or conditions.
Dietary Scours-brought about by sudden change in feed or irregular feeding
Colibacillosis-from contaminated water supply,change in feed which upsets balance of bacteria in intestines,and stress factors like weaning,vaccination,transfer to other pigs
TSE-due to introduction of new pigs,some may be varriers of the virus,mixing animals of different ages
Balantidiosis-usually brought about by contaminated drinking water and/or contaminated forage such as kang kong
Dysentery-associated with any form of stress like transport or change of feed,feeding of contaminated kitchen slops
Gastro-intestinal Parasites-overcrowding of animals,lack of deworming program
Dehydration-is the biggest problem and can cause death in most cases,it must be immediately corrected by giving fluids.Effective treatment and control depend on correct diagnosis or identification of cause.This is quite difficult because of the complicated nature of the disease,so it is best to consult a veterinarian for confirmation of diagnosis.Emphasize preventive aspects of management,as treatment is both difficult and expensive
By:Melanio G. Supnet and Oscar G. Pagbababuyan

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MMA (Mastitis-Metritis)-Agalactia Syndrome:
CAUSE:mastitis and agalactia absence or lack of milk,arise from non-specific or unknown causes.It may be due to infection or stresses like excitement,difficult farrowing,digestive trouble of dietary origin and other,environmental factors.Metritis is a non-specific inflammation of the uterus and is associated with retained placenta,abortion or difficult delivery (dystocia)
SIGNS:-temperature above or below normal
-discharge of reddish brown mucus mixed with shreds of placental membranes that attract files
-tenderness and warmth in mammary tissue
PREVENTION:-check health status of breeding sows,replace sows with a history of breeding troubles
-proper diet,exercise,and clean,disinfected farrowing pens
-mild,light laxative feed for sows after farrowing
-eliminate stresses and possible causes of udder injuries
TREATMENT:-antibiotic infusion into udder,apply hot compress and mild antiseptic externally
-administer PITUIT 4TY extract containing oxytoxin
-treat metritis locally by inserting pessaries or antibiotics inside uterus and systematically by injection of sulfa drugs and other antibiotics
By:Melanio G.Supnet and Oscar G. Pagbababuyan

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Roundworm:
CAUSE:large round worm (ascaris lumbricoides)
SIGNS:-depends largely on the number of worms present in animals,kind of management and nutrition of pigs. Pigs manifest slow growth rates,thinness,thick growth of hair which is usually dull and lacking normal luster.Sometimes pigs vomit worms or expel worms in the feces.
TREATMENT:-oral administration of dewormer through feed or drinking water.Piperazine dewormers are usually effective.

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Mange:
CAUSE:-direct contact with affected animal or contaminated objects and farm equipment
SIGNS:-intense itchness,forcing animal to rub vigorously affected portion of the body against wall of pen.At first,affected skin is reddened but,after sometime,skin becomes thickened,scaly,and wrinkled
TREATMENT:-spray animal with insecticidal preparations indicated for mange.Repeated spraying is necessary to attain satisfaction results.Like wise,spray animals quarters particularly floors,walls,to kill mites hiding in cracks and crevices.
By:Swine Farming Manual an LDC Publication
Melanio G. Supnet and Oscar G. Pagbababuyan