April 6th, 2018
Total born, use of toxin binder, farrowing assistance and health status show an association with sow mortality due to uterine prolapses.
February 27, 2018
L.K.F. Müller, A.S. da Silva, M.D. Baldissera, J.M. Santurio, P. Glombowsky, J. Gugel, G. Campigotto, E.M. Gloria, D. Paiano and G. Machado (2017).
17-Mar-2017
With a few basic observations, pig caretakers can quickly learn to identify sick pigs vs. hungry pigs and manage them accordingly
Starting wean pigs is the most critical task in Wean-to-Finish production. Pigs that start well quickly hit “cruise control” and unless interrupted by disease will experience rapid growth and feed conversion all the way to marketing. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true, pigs that don’t start well require increased caretaker attention and resources. Hard starting groups fight us all the way through marketing with poor growth, feed conversion and mortality. The adage “Take care of the pig and the pig will take care of you” certainly holds up when executing wean pig startups.
8-Mar-2017
The influence of feed structure and pelleting on the development of gastric ulcers in pigs is well established. Some studies have shown a beneficial effect of access to straw on gastric health. However, the role of other factors, e.g. disease and stress, is not well understood.
The aim of this study was to identify herd factors associated with a high prevalence of gastric ulcers in finishing pigs. Based on results from earlier studies, it was decided to focus on feed type, infectious diseases, the use of straw and the floor type in the pens.
Read more … Herd level risk factors for stomach ulcers in finishing pigs
14-Mar-2017
We need to understand what is happening and what the circumstances are that cause bacteria that are also present in the microbiota of healthy piglets to multiply in such a way that they are capable of causing diarrhea.
The relative impact of digestive problems on pig production is steadily increasing. Weaning is a critical time for the digestive physiology of the piglet, because a number of well-known predisposing factors that pose great stress for a still very immature animal happen at the same time. They include, but are not limited to: the loss of their dam and stop of milk supply; change of facilities (sometimes involving transport), mixing, new social order, etc. A key factor is the change to a solid diet, which must be very specific and fit the digestive physiology of the piglet.
Read more … Diarrhea in weaned piglets: Is a different approach needed?
2-Feb-2017
These studies are the evidences that indirect transmission of PEDV through contaminated personnel, which occurs rapidly, and how fomite material and temperature impact viral stability over time.
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a causative agent of diarrhea in pigs. It recently caused significant economic damage worldwide. The disease is characterized by severe diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration, resulting in up to 100 % mortality in young piglets. While vaccines are available in market, low to moderate efficacy of vaccines have been a concern. One of the reasons implicated for vaccine failures has been genetic differences between vaccine and field strains. Thus, finding effective ways to prevent transmission of PEDV is critical to minimize outbreaks of this disease. However, very little is known about indirect transmission of the virus via personnel movement, and virus stability on fomite materials under different environmental condition. The work described in this dissertation, aims to assess contribution of fomites in indirect transmission events, and study PEDV stability on different fomites at varying temperatures.
Read more … Indirect transmission and stability of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus on fomites
September 2017
PEDv transmits rapidly from personnel protective equipment
While washing boots and foot baths have become biosecurity measures, actually changing boots and coveralls and washing hands are considered better measures.
Research results indicate that transmission of PEDv through contaminated personnel protective equipment is possible, and it can occur within 24 hours.
Read more … Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PEDv) transmits rapidly from personnel protective equipment
Dec 15, 2016
Mycotoxins have an estimated $5 billion (USD) impact on the U.S. and Canadian food animal industries annually. Recent trends in mycotoxin results have indicated this year’s crops may be some of the most challenged in the last five years. At Cargill’s laboratory in Elk River, Minn., we have seen indications of widespread deoxynivalenol and fumonisin this year. Meaningful incidences of aflatoxin and zearalenone in some regions are also noteworthy.
Mycotoxins are difficult to sample and measure, so understanding the extent of mycotoxin challenges in feed ingredient sources and effective mitigation tactics for specific mycotoxins is imperative for the commercial success of affected animal production operations.
25-Oct-2016
Neonatal and post-weaning diarrhea (2/2)
COLIBACILLOSIS
Sows immunization
Neonatal diarrhea by E. coli can be prevented through colostral immunity induced by vaccination of pregnant sows. The immunity induced by these vaccines, however, disappears after weaning. The commercial vaccines currently available are based on inactivated bacterins or purified fimbrial subunits, and some even contain thermolabile enterotoxins (LT) for parenteral administration.
11-Oct-2016
![]() |
The view from the field by Enric Marco |
Paper
Hanne Bak and Poul Henning Rathkjen: Reduced use of antimicrobials after vaccination of pigs against porcine proliferative enteropathy in a Danish SPF herd. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2009, 51:1
What are they studying?
The present study investigated the impact of vaccination against ileitis or proliferative enteropathy (PE) caused by Lawsonia intracellularis on the use of group medication with antibiotics. In contrast to other studies that had demonstrated a reduced use of antibiotics in vaccinated pigs, this study was conducted under conditions associated to the Danish farming system, with a low baseline level of antibiotic treatment. In addition to group medication, production performance was compared between vaccinated and non-vaccinated pigs.
Read more … Ileitis vaccination – A tool to reduce the need for antibiotic treatment
Page 5 of 6