Introduction
Pigs are becoming a popular domestic pet among animal lovers. It doesn’t matter if you are a pork producer or an animal lover, having a healthy pig in your farm or house will definitely make you happy. Like humans, pigs are also susceptible to a wide range of pig diseases. Pigs are always in contact with dust and dirt, so to get an infection is not really difficult. It’s always better to prevent you pig from contracting a pig disease, rather than treating an infected pig. To be familiar with preventive measures for pig diseases, you need to have an in-depth knowledge of the various kinds of pig diseases.
Common Health Issues
Let’s go through some of the major health problems a pig face. Because pigs are dirty animals, parasitic infections are very common. Their digestive system is a safe haven for a lot of microbes, and that’s why pork is considered dangerous if undercooked. Some of the main pathogens are Trichinosis, Brucellosis, cysticercosis, Taenia solium. Other common pig diseases that you should be aware of are, E.coli, Coccidiosis, Leptospirosis, kidney bladder and vaginal infection, Porcine parvovirus, Furrowing sickness, Exudative epidermitis, Dysentery, Gastric ulcers, Gastric and intestinal torsion, Erysipelas.
Preventive Measures
Piglets are vulnerable to pig diseases during the first 4 weeks after birth. So routine checking of piglets is very crucial. Signs and symptoms like decreased appetite, coughing, diarrhea, rough body hair, gauntness, inactiveness, are seen when you pig is not healthy. Immediate follow up is necessary for your pig. Normal body temperature of a pig is 102.5F. If the rectal temperature measured is 2 degree above normal, you pig needs medical attention. A very important factor that contributes to pig diseases is stress. So it’s extremely important to minimize the stress your pig faces. Keep your pig free from tick, mite, lice and other external parasites. These parasites are proved to be disease carriers for pigs. When you buy a new piglet, make sure to get information about its current disease status, monitoring program used, genetics of both parents, and vaccination history.
Disease Treatment
Pig diseases are declining at a fast rate due to the introduction of various vaccines and anti microbial drugs. External parasites can be tackled by using either Deltamethrin, Lindane, Ivermectine or Diazion. These drugs are effective against both the parasite as well as its eggs. E.coli is treated by using Porcilic Porcoli, Erysipelas by using Porcilis ery+parvo or Farrowsure and Glassers disease by Porcilic glasser or parapac. As in humans, meningitis is a potentially fatal disease for a pig and needs to be dealt with aggressively. Porcilis cobactan 2.5% or SS pac can be used against the causative agent. Respiratory infection like pneumonia is dealt with by administering Econor or SS pac or Tiamutin. Porcilis PCV is very effective against post Weaning Multisystem Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) and (PDNS) Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome. Bordetellosis is kept under control by using Draxxin while Clostridial diseases can be checked by using Porcilis Coli 5C or 6C. Econor or Tiamutin is the drug of choice for colitis and Dysentery in pigs. A common viral infection in pigs is influenza. It can be effectively treated by using Flusure XP or Maxivac.
Healthy pigs are happy pigs, and for pigs to be healthy they have to be free from pig diseases. Watch for any unusual behavior or symptoms, and give on-time treatment to keep your pigs healthy. Treatment on time is an effective preventive measure, as it ensures that the other pigs are not at a risk of getting that same disease.
