Title: Keeping Show Pigs Healthy - What are some good practices?
Headings: Keeping Show Pigs Healthy
Keeping Show Pigs Healthy
Starting with Healthy Pigs
Isolating Pigs from the Farm
Following good health management Practices
Using Good Watering and Feeding Practices
Taking Care During and After Surgery
Recognizing Risks on the Farm
Vaccinating to Prevent Serious Diseases
Deworming Healthy Pigs
Diagnosing and Treating Sick Pigs Promptly
Using prescribed Drugs properly
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Content: A major problem with pigs in 4-H and FFA projects is that no vaccines are used, or they are improperly used. While vaccines do not exist for all swine diseases, there are ones that are effective against some very important disease-causing organisms that are prevalent in many swine herds. In these cases, vaccinations are recommended because the organisms might kill the pig or make it unfit for exhibition. Whether you raise pigs from a litter or buy them, you should routinely vaccinate against erysipelas and Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia (APP). Erysipelas is caused by the bacterium Eysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, which can result in sudden death, skin disease and lameness. APP comes from the bacterium Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, which causes pneumonia, sudden death and chronic illness with poor weight gain. An example of a combination erysipelas-APP bacterin (inactivated bacterial vaccine) is Pneu-PacER® (Schering Plough). The first dose is administered for pigs as early as 4 weeks of age that are raised on your farm. Pigs are usually purchased when they are at least 8 weeks old or weigh at least 40 pounds; you will need to vaccinate them the first week they arrive.