Diet and control of porcine post-weaning diarrhoea

Authors: Hampson DJ, Beban RLG
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 33, Issue 11, pp 190, Nov 1985
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Pig, Production animal
Subject Terms: Abdomen, Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Antibiotics, Treatment/therapy, Bacterial, Infectious disease, Disease/defect, Diet/rations/food, Growth/development, Nutrition/metabolism, Zoonosis, Public health
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: We have recently been involved in controlling a severe post-weaning diarrhoea problem on a large well managed piggery. Each Thursday on this unit approximately 100 piglets between 21-26 days of age are weaned into flatdeck accommodation. Each weekly batch of pigs is maintained in a semi-darkened room, with the temperature at pig level kept at 30°C. Groups of 15-20 piglets are housed in six adjacent pens on a single deck. Water is available ad libitum, as was the weaner diet during the worst of the problem. Rooms are thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and rested between batches of pigs. For some months before the time of consultation, every Tuesday (five days after weaning) most pigs in a new batch developed a severe watery diarrhoea. Rotaviruses (group A) and a profuse pure growth of haemolytic Escherichia Coli (0138, possessing heat-labile enterotoxin) was recovered from the faeces of affected animals. Despite regular treatment of all affected pigs with oxytetracycline, all suffered a severe post-weaning growth check, and 42 of 1,262 weaners (3.3%) died with diarrhoea in the three months before the investigation…

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