Posted by Dr. Steve Dudley on June 18 2006 13:39
Baby pig diarrhea has been a significant production problem in the swine industry for many years. Many pathogens that traditionally caused disease problems are still present on swine farms. However, there are new pathogens that are continuing to change the way pork producers and their veterinarians deal with piglet diarrhea. Pathogens that cause disease are broken into three categories 1) Viruses 2) Bacteria 3) Protozoa. Viruses such as Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE) and Rotavirus continue to be diagnosed by veterinarians. These viruses have been present for many years and still cause significant problems. The incidence of TGE has decreased in our practice area for the last few years. Rotavirus has been diagnosed more frequently but is often in combination with other pathogens leaving its role open for debate.
Bacteria such as E.coli and Clostridium perfringens Type C have been diagnosed for over 35 years. These bacteria can cause impressive death losses and severe production losses if left undiagnosed and untreated. Clostridium perfringens Type C causes a severe hemorrhagic (purplish) necrotic (rotten) intestinal tract that has characteristic lesions upon post mortems of dead pigs. The pathogenic lesions are caused by an Enterotoxin emitted from the Clostridium perfringens Type C that can cause up to 59% death losses with a mean death loss of 26% in a trial from Bergeland et al. 1966. Early diagnosis and prevention and treatment programs need to be put in place for effective control. Recently veterinarian practitioners and diagnostic laboratories have diagnosed a new strain of Clostridium perfringens Type A. This presents a very different clinical picture than Type C. Clostridium perfringens Type A causes a secretory diarrhea with the enterotoxins causing more subtle pathologic changes. The enterotoxins released are different types than with the Type C and postmortems of affected pigs show thin walled yellowish intestines, without the bloody necrotic look of C. perfringens Type C. Clostridium perfringens Type A is more responsive to antibiotic therapy than the Type C but is more difficult to treat than many E coli cases of diarrhea. Escherichia coli (E.coli) is a bacterial disease that can affect all ages of pigs from neonatal or under 5 days of age to post weaning pigs that have diarrhea and sudden death loss. E.coli is the most important and common cause of piglet diarrhea identified by diagnostic laboratories and veterinary practitioners. E.coli also produces enterotoxins that affect the intestines of pigs causing a secretory diarrhea. These enterotoxins can cause significant death loss and responsible for most of the pathogenic problems associated with E.coli diarrhea.
I was called to a 1500 sow farrow to wean swine facility. This was a newly constructed facility and had an excellent environment and good management. 2 years after the start up many litters were seen to have a slight diarrhea at 2 to 4 days of age. Death loss noted by preweaning mortality increased from 9 % to over 14% and many pigs were stunted or slowed down in growth. Piglets had a watery diarrhea and were gaunt and unthrifty. Piglets were dehydrated and had pasty fecal stains on their hair coats. Pigs seemed to respond to antibiotic therapy of Ceftiofur and Flourfenicol. Necropsies on piglets showed a thin walled intestinal tract with lots of watery fluid contents. There were no hemorrhagic or purplish areas identified in the intestines of pigs. Samples were submitted for diagnostic work up to a laboratory. Results identified a Clostridium perfringens Type A and E.coli bacteria. The sows had been vaccinated prefarrowing with a commercial vaccine that had protection for E.coli and Clostridium perfringens Type C. Because of the unavailability of a commercial Clostridium perfringens Type A vaccine an autogenous formulation was prepared to include both the Type A. This was given in addition to the normal prefarrowing vaccinations the farm was using. In addition BMD was added to the lactating feed at 250 gms/ton to aid in the prevention of Clostridium perfringens Type A.
I was called to a 2400 sow farm that was experiencing a sudden increase in the incidence of piglet diarrhea in the farrowing barn. Preweaning death loss was under 10 % prior to the outbreak and sows were being vaccinated for E.coli and Clostridium perfringens Type C. The diarrhea had recently increased across all parities and approximately 30 % of the litters were affected. Breeding performance on this farm was excellent and the farrowing crates were being pushed to make room for additional litters. In many of the farrowing rooms they were not able to use all in all out management. Affected pigs were sent to a diagnostic facility for both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial isolation, histopathology and virus work-up. An E.coli , and Clostridium perfringens Type A were isolated and Rota virus was negative on the Elisa test. The histopathology report showed blunting of the intestinal villous. This histopathological lesion is seen with Rota virus and with enterotoxins associated with Clostridium perfringens Type A. In addition the histopathological report indicated gram positive rods present in the villous of the intestinal tract. A diagnosis of Clostridium perfringens Type A was made. Management changes that were made to address the immediate diarrhea problems included 1) Naxcel preweaning program where all piglets received Naxcel (Ceftiofur) within day 2 of birth. 2) BMD at 250 gms per ton was placed in the lactating feed. An increase effort at using all in all out technique in the farrowing rooms and cleaning the crates and allowing them to dry prior to entry was instituted. If you are experiencing piglet diarrhea problems contact your local veterinarian to help you determine the cause.