Articles - Pig health

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has taken over headlines recently. In this article we review the different diseases that this family of viruses causes in pigs, remembering that no infections in humans have been reported from swine coronaviruses.

This protocol allows for PRRS monitoring at all stages of pig production with good results, little technical difficulty, and a lower cost.

The three main causes suspected were a low level of vitamin E in sow diets, warfarin poisoning or thrombocytopenia purpura.

Nurse sows may represent a source of infection to the newly adopted pigs.

Do we clearly understand which are the most effective biosecurity measurements to prevent the transmission of ASF between farms when infection pressure increases? What are the major worries of those producers and veterinarians dealing with outbreaks of the disease over short distances?

Which tests should be performed considering their limitations, and what management practices to use to increase security.

Exposure methods: natural, intranasal, intra-tracheal, aerosol or vaccination.

What is the disease transmission risk that comes with importing raw materials? Many feed ingredients are produced in China.

Are we ready to step forward? And declare a suspicion? Do we know how to proceed? What are protocols that will be put in place and how quickly will they happen?

The high genetic diversity of the virus is not only complicating laboratory tests but also the estimation of the level of protection of pigs against PRRSV.

Is the current categorization of antibiotics definitive? What measures will the authorities take to encourage a better pig health status? Can a veterinarian have any kind of problems if following his diagnosis and his judgment uses a group B antibiotic?

In a world where feed ingredients are marketed globally, do we know the minimum infectious dose to transmit the ASF virus in feed? And in water?

An example on how technology can be implemented in a farm for evaluation of biosecurity compliance using production parameters.

Must a veterinarian treat sick animals, whatever the circumstances or conditions that have favoured the emergence of the disease? Prophylaxis or metaphylaxis?

In addition to prophylactic measures, gilt nutrition plays a crucial role in the development of their health status. This review addresses different nutritional strategies to stimulate the immunological state during quarantine.

What is the course of this disease in the field recently? Not always following the textbook description… Global swine professionals with field experience answer this and many other questions.

Additional nutrient supply via water is a quick tool in stressing periods.

A group of swine professionals will describe their field experience and perspective gained while fighting against African Swine Fever.

Intranasal and intratracheal inoculation routes as well as aerosolization with foggers are discussed.

A newly produced PCR-based test can help assigning all known App serotypes, which can be used to select the most appropriate vaccine.

Why is there no effective commercial vaccine against Streptococcus suis?

Depending on the virulence of the strain and the route of exposure, the disease may have four different presentations and early detection can be a challenge due to the lack of specific clinical signs.

The European regulations state that before docking tails other measures that prevent tail-biting must be implemented, and therefore a thorough risk analysis must be carried out on each farm.

Traditional gilt exposure to seeder animals is being substituted by intratracheal inoculation and aerosol exposure.