Week of 15-Jul-2022
Results
Correct answer
This lesion is the typical presentation in pigs of the ancient animal disease known as anthrax, caused by the large bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Affected pigs are usually older outdoor pigs, which are dull, not eating, with a firm, hot and painful swelling across their throat, neck and lower face. At autopsy, the neck and throat have firm gelatinous oedema fluid, with extensive infiltration of neck and jaw tissues with clear bloody wine-like fluid and gelatinous material. The local lymph nodes are greatly enlarged and oedematous, whereas internal organs including the liver and spleen appear relatively normal. It is important to confirm any suspicious deaths by staining and examination of dry smears of the lymph node and dark fluids in the neck. This smear diagnosis is often difficult in pigs, so it is also important to culture the lymph nodes. Anthrax bacteria occur in the soil only in defined endemic regions, so unless pigs are raised outdoors in those areas, the disease is rare. However, when it is does occur, it is usually a major dramatic episode, because of the strong ability of anthrax to cause public fear in humans. It is often difficult to easily dispose of affected pigs in a practical manner. In general, they should be destroyed on site by incineration.
Photo of the week
Week of 19-Apr-2024
Which disease could cause this type of lesion?
Week of 12-Apr-2024
What is the likely cause of this lesion seen in >10% of lungs in slaughter pigs each week from a breeder feeder farm?
Week of 05-Apr-2024
The ulcer shown is in the preputial diverticulum of an adult boar culled due to persistent haemorrhage in the ejaculate. What is the likely cause?
Week of 28-Mar-2024
This non-fatal scour is seen in piglets from 10 days of age. What is the most likely primary cause?
Week of 22-Mar-2024
Which infectious disease is the most likely cause of the haemorrhages visible on the serosal surfaces of this growing pig which was found dead?
Week of 15-Mar-2024
What is the cause of the liver lesion in this heavily pregnant sow found dead?
Week of 08-Mar-2024
Is there anything strange about any of the pigs in the photo?
Week of 23-Feb-2024
This 6-week-old pig has non-pruritic lesions on the skin. What can it be?
Week of 16-Feb-2024
What is the most likey cause of the lesion seen in a single 10 day old piglet on an outdoor pig unit in January?
Week of 08-Feb-2024
A first parity weaned sow can not hold her weight. It shows poor response to antibiotics and NSAIDS. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
Week of 02-Feb-2024
What is the most likely cause of this condition?
Week of 19-Jan-2024
There is a disease outbreak with sudden deaths, inappetence, high fever and difficult breathing in pigs from 15 weeks until slaughter. The slaughterhouse inspection shows lungs like those in the image. What is the most likely cause?
Week of 12-Jan-2024
There is an arthritis and skin lesion associated increase in condemnation rates at the slaughterhouse. What is the most likely cause of this problem?
Week of 05-Jan-2024
This is a 7 day old piglet that was born with this condition on the skin. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
Week of 29-Dec-2023
This lesion is caused by:
Week of 22-Dec-2023
This lesion is caused by:
Week of 08-Dec-2023
This piglet is lethargic and non-pruritic. What is the cause of this condition?
Week of 01-Dec-2023
The following lesion is occasionally seen on the placenta following a normal full term farrowing. What is it and what is its significance?
Week of 24-Nov-2023
In this confinement stall the slat level is below the passageway and the rear door is tight to the floor. Which of the following comments is true
Week of 17-Nov-2023
A dry white deposit is evident on the mucosal surface of the vulva of a sow served 25 days previously. What is it and what is its significance?
Week of 10-Nov-2023
There is an increase in pigs with a swollen mass behind the rear legs, below the anus. It is most frequently located on the side. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
Week of 03-Nov-2023
What caused the sudden death of this 8 week old weaner?
Week of 20-Oct-2023
Mesenteric lymph nodes enlargement are more likely consistent with:
Week of 13-Oct-2023
In which production phase is this finding more frequently observed?
Week of 06-Oct-2023
What is the aetiological cause of this lesion?
Week of 29-Sep-2023
How is the texture of these organs?
Week of 22-Sep-2023
The turbinate lesion is due to: