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: 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. It is important to limit the spread of the ETEC around the farrowing rooms. Handling of affected piglets should be done after normal ones, with separate boots and clothes. Vaccines against ETEC are widely used in pregnant gilts and sows to raise protective immunity and antibody levels, which are transferred to piglets via the colostrum. Some authorities also recommend the procedure of feeding faecal materials to the gilts in late gestation (feedback). This faecal material may be diarrhoea from affected piglets collected on toilet paper.