| Animal Health
Efficient Swine Respiratory Disease control requires fast action
Merial Animal Health used its presence at the 24th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress ( IPVS ) in Dublin to highlight the threat of Swine Respiratory Disease ( SRD ) and its control in pig herds in the UK and Ireland .
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RD remains a significant problem for the swine industry . Associated production losses include 30-70 % morbidity , a mortality rate of 4-6 % ( and even higher in severely affected units ), decreased feed efficiency and reduced growth rates .
Returning pigs that have suffered with SRD to the main herd is often ill-advised . Sick pigs are often chronically affected and can act as a source of infection
Findlay MacBean , Merial ’ s Head of Livestock Business UK and Ireland explained that efficient and effective control of SRD requires fast action from herdsmen and vets . He said : “ Normally an antibiotic treatment will be required to control SRD , prescribed by the pig unit ’ s veterinary surgeon . It ’ s important that the product used reaches the target area in the lungs quickly ( ideally within 30 minutes of administration ) and stays there for an extended period to minimise tissue damage and resolve the clinical signs of pneumonia . To minimise stress in animals with SRD a low-dose , one-shot treatment is preferable .”
SRD-causing bacteria can affect pigs of any age , but growing pigs are the most affected and experience the biggest production loss .
Infections of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae ( App ) can cause sudden death , and if not treated immediately can cause severe lung damage and mortality3 . Haemophilus parasuis ( Hps ) bacteria can cause lung damage , and outbreaks in young pigs can lead to rapid and high mortality rates . While Pasteurella multocida ( Pm ) is often a secondary bacterial infection , usually found in association with App , Hps and viral infections , it causes loss of condition and reduced growth rates .
Preventing SRD is complex . Reducing the level of aerial pollutants , strict on-farm hygiene , single sourcing of piglets and attention to biosecurity can help to prevent outbreaks . Vaccination may be useful , particularly on breeder-feeder farms where there is a continuous flow of piglets reaching an age where maternally-derived immunity is lost and they become susceptible to disease , allowing disease to perpetuate within the herd .
Returning pigs that have suffered with SRD to the main herd is often ill-advised . Sick pigs are often chronically affected and can act as a source of infection . A considered health management plan should include quarantine measures which enable healthy pigs and sick pigs to be separated until finishing or they leave the unit .
Mr MacBean concluded : “ Reducing losses from SRD requires an effective disease management programme . Ideally this involves a suite of preventative measures , including herd health plans , vaccination where appropriate and fast action to control outbreaks .”
38 | Farming Monthly | August 2016 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk