11. Health Management

A disease outbreak in a piggery can have disastrous consequences if carefully followed, will minimize the occurrence of diseases. That prevention is better than cure is very relevant in the pig industry.

A clean, sanitary environment is absolute requirement to prevent internal and external parasite which can be serious problems. Antihelmintics and other drugs, when properly used, aid in elimination of parasites. Antibiotics also protect pigs against disease proliferations and reduce disease outbreaks. They can also promote growth in pigs when given at recommended levels. The diseases that can be prevented through vaccination, a Veterinarian should be contacted to provide such services routinely without any excuse.

A basic knowledge of the main diseases which may affect a pig herd is necessary to diagnose the condition and implement control measures as quickly, as possible. Some of the common parasites and diseases that affect pigs are highlighted below:

1. Parasites: These are organisms which live on and obtain food from the body of another, known as the host. They can live on the body (external parasites) or within the internal tissues and organs (internal parasites) of the animals.

External parasites mainly cause irritation to the skin surface, often leading to wounds and increased susceptibility to other infections. Some of the common external parasites are flies, ticks, lice, mangemites, etc.

The internal parasites are more common to pigs on free-range. An example is the round worm (Ascaris Lumbricoides) which causes lots of damage to pig herds. The round worm can grow up to 300mm long and 6mm thick in the small intestine. Heavy infestation leads to inherit in piglets, weakness and loss of weight.

The other harmful worms include tapeworms, e.g. Taenia Solium, which has the pig as its intermediate host, while the adult wonn lives in man. Pigs become infected by picking up eggs from human faeces and the larvae then encyst in the pig’s muscle.

To prevent worm infestation in pig herds, avoid contaminated water and feeds. Clean and remove faeces always, deworm with broad spectrum antihelminthics as recommended by a Veterinarian.

2. Pig Cholera: This is a highly contagious and acute viral disease of pigs and is frequently fatal. The spread is by animal contact, contaminated urine and faeces or other body secretions.

Control: There is no effective treatment except vaccination programming to be instituted if there is danger of hog cholera infection. Avoid contact with infected animals.

3. African Swine Fever: This is also a very contagious viral disease which in acute fonn can cause up to 100% mortality.

Control: Infected pigs should be destroys and properly disposed off. There is no effective vaccine as at now.

4. Swine Influenza: It is a respiratory disease that is highly contagious, caused by the influenza virus. Stress due to rapid changes in temperature triggers off the disease. Mortality is normally low but it is of great economic importance due to stunting and reduced live weight gains.

Control: No treatment or preventive vaccine available, but good farm management and avoidance of stress can limit outbreak.

5. Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE): This viral disease is characterized by acute diarrhea., vomiting and early death in young piglets. The disease can also affect older pigs but rarely results in death.

Control: There is no known effective treatment, but infected pigs can be isolated or killed and buried. The herd is normally immuned after infection.

6. Enteric Colibacillosis: This is the most common cause of death in baby pigs, especially within the first ten days. The bacterium Enteric Colibacilosis (E. Coli) commonly found in the intestinal tract causes the disease. Toxins are produced which stimulated a massive fluid loss into the small intestine leading to scours and dehydration.

Control:

i. Avoid stressful condition.

ii. Give oral administration of antibiotic immediately.

iii.Ensure good farm management.

iv. Proper feeding of balanced ration.

v. Piglets must be given colostrum.

7. Salmonellosis: It is a disease of the intestinal tract caused by salmonella Spp. of bacteria. Pigs of about two months are most affected. Heavy worm infection triggers it off.

Control:

i Ensure good management.

ii. Practice high level of sanitation.

iii. Feeding of antibiotics and sulpha drugs.

8. Erysipelas: This is caused by a bacterium agent which lives in the soil. Pigs can pick up the agent from soil or by animal contact and even humans. In the acute form, sudden death is common.

Control: Routine vaccination programme is recommended and once the disease is diagnosed treat immediately with antibiotics. 

Anemia in piglets

Anemia is a common nutritional disease in piglets. This condition can be prevented and cured by supplying iron either orally or by injection. Oral administration consists of spraying or swabbing the sow’s udder with a saturated solution of ferrous sulphate (0.5 kg of ferrous sulphate in 10 liters of hot water). This solution must be applied daily from birth until the piglets start eating creep feed. Intra muscular infection of iron-dextran compounds is the more effective method of preventing anemia.