What are Pig Diseases?

It is recommended that anyone who works with pigs must be able to recognize the symptoms of the common diseases of pigs to help ensure adequate mentoring to enhance healthy pig farming business.

Pig International discusses the symptoms, treatments, and preventative measures for six of the most common pig diseases across three production stages.

A. Pre-weaning stage

1. Dermatitis exudative (greasy pig)

Skin lesions caused by an infection of the bacteria Staphlococcus hyicus are the symptoms of this disease.

2. Coccidiosis 

This disease is extremely common in suckling piglets and is caused by three different types of intracellular parasite coccidia.

B. Post-weaning stage

3. Respiratory illnesses

Coughing, sneezing, abdominal breathing, slower growth rates, and the possibility of death are all symptoms of respiratory disease.

4. Dysentery in pigs

This disease causes diarrhea in animals, with or without the presence of blood.

C. Reproduction stock

5. Mastitis 

Mastitis in sows is characterized by decreased milk production, loss of appetite, and an increase in body temperature.

6. Porcine parvovirus type 6

If pregnant sows contract parvovirus (PPV), reproductive disease can occur, but not always.

How to Recognize If a Pig Is Sick

General symptoms include dullness, loss of appetite, labored or rapid breathing, sudden deaths, weight loss, low weight gain, and fever, which is usually manifested by shivering of the pig.

Reddening or discoloration of the skin, hair loss and hardening of some areas of the skin, itching and cracking of the skin are all symptoms.

Other symptoms include lameness, coughing, abnormal nasal discharges, putrid-smelling diarrhea, abnormal feces content and color, and abortions.

Pig Diseases that are Common

Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, nutritional deficiencies, poisonous substances, and internal and external parasites can all cause pig diseases.

Bacterial diseases include swine erysipelas, dysentery in swine, infectious polyarthritis, among others.

African swine fever, swine influenza, enzootic pneumonia of pigs, vesicular exanthema of swine, transmissible gastroenteritis, and other viral and mycoplasma diseases are examples.

Helminthiasis is primarily caused by worms such as the lungworm, ascaris worm, and others. Piglet anemia, parakeratosis, and other nutritional diseases are examples. Mange, lice, and jiggers are examples of external parasitic infections.

Pigs Diseases Prevention and Management

1. Shelter and ventilation

The house should make it easier to clean, disinfect, and maintain sanitary conditions. Good ventilation is critical for disease control, and air must circulate throughout the structure so that foul air is replaced with fresh air.

2. Manure disposal that is proper

Urine, feces, exhalation, and nose and mouth discharges may contain disease-causing agents. These may serve as a medium for the growth of disease-causing agents. Excrement must be removed from the immediate vicinity on a regular basis.

Manure can be heaped to kill parasites and microbes by generating heat. It is recommended that manure be stored in a covered concrete pit and that the manure be sprayed with insecticides to prevent the growth of disease-causing organisms and flies.

Pigs kept on pasture should have their paddocks rotated. The life cycle of many disease-causing agents is disrupted by pasture rotation because these agents are sometimes specific to certain hosts.

Pastures can be rotated between various species. Provide appropriate feed and water containers. New animals should be isolated. Use disinfectants to properly dispose of dead pigs Employ a veterinarian doctor.