Title: PigProgress - Major problems in piglet health and management
Headings: Major problems in piglet health and management
Background Jun 17, 2014
Major problems in piglet health and management
1 Overlay
2 Chilling
3 Failure of colostrum intake
4 Diarrhoea
5 Birth defects
Photo

Content: The udders of gilts and sows should be cleaned regularly. Farrowing areas will be a reservoir of infection and cleaning must include the use of detergents to remove the fatty areas derived from sow milk. 4 Diarrhoea
Bacterial diarrhoea among neonatal piglets (baby pig scours) is frequent, if there is an incomplete vaccination programme for the breeding pigs. Diarrhoea problems can appear to spread around litters in the farrowing areas. The affected piglets are generally one to seven days-old, with watery white-yellow diarrhoea, ejected as a stream from the anus. At autopsy of affected piglets, will be dehydration with a loss of fat reserves, with dilation of the intestines by watery contents. This type of diarrhoea in young piglets is most suggestive of the common form of neonatal colibacillosis in piglets, caused by enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli (ETEC). These ETEC are located in the farrowing pen environment and are ingested by the piglet soon after birth. The bacteria then attach to the intestines and cause an outpouring of fluid into the intestine and diarrhoea. Affected piglets may be treated with oral antibiotics and re-hydration electrolytes to replace body fluids.