Salt poisoning (Water deprivation)
Salt poisoning is common; it is related to the unavailability of water and it affects the central nervous system.
Description
Salt poisoning is common in pigs of all ages and it is related to the unavailability of water; normal levels of salt in the diet (0.4-0.5%) become toxic in the absence of water.
Verify that every drinker and water distribution system is working properly- that they are not obstructed, and that water is available. This should be done on a daily basis.
All ages
- Initial stages of the disease are preceded by loss of appetite. When a pig or groups of pigs go off feed, we must first check their water sources. Symptoms appear in 3 to 4 days.
- The first signs are often pigs trying unsuccessfully to drink water from water nipples.
- Animals show nervous symptoms. In more advanced cases this may include fits, animals walking aimlessly, appearing to be blind, with tremors and lack of coordination.
- A pigs walks up to a wall, stops next to it, and presses its heads against it.
- A very typical sign of salt intoxication is the sitting dog position and shaking of the snout just before a seizure starts.
- Mortality is often high.
- Lack of water / water deprivation.
- Excess salt in the diet.
- Based on clinical signs and lack of water. Histological examination of the brain postmortem confirms the disease.
- Treatment is not very effective but attempts can be made to re-hydrate the animal by giving it drops of water, very slowly into the its mouth using a hose.
- Corticosteroids may help.