Week of 12-Feb-2025
There is scour, ill thrift and high mortality during the first 4 weeks post-weaning. All post-mortemed pigs had the same gross lesions, as the one seen in the picture. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
Results
incorrect answer
E. coli with a virulence factor F18 was detected by RT-PCR in this pig.
E. coli is a common inhabitant of the intestine of the pig. At weaning time the loss of sows milk and IgA allow the E. coli to attach to the villi of the small intestines, the toxins cause acute enteritis and diarrhoea. Post-weaning diarrhoea is a common cause of mortality and morbidity. Zinc Oxide had been removed from the weaner diet. These weaner pigs did not have any medication in feed or water. The inclusion of Zinc oxide and medicating the water with colistin helped to resolve the problem. Zinc Oxide in the peri-weaning diets improves pig health and acts as a growth promoter. It prevents diarrhoea and post-weaning enteric disturbances greatly.
Photo of the week
Week of 19-Feb-2025
Sudden death in 6 – 8 weeks old weaner pigs. Carcasses are pale. There is haemorrhagic abdominal fluid with clotted blood strands and hepatic rupture. Excess of fluid in the thorax. Heart and muscles are pale. What is the most likely cause?
Week of 05-Feb-2025
There is an increase of regular and irregular returns in the breeding herd accompanied by abortions, stillborns and mummified piglets. All parities are affected. What is the cause of abortion in this picture?
Week of 29-Jan-2025
This pig has a mass protruding from behing. What is the most likely cause of this lesion?
Week of 22-Jan-2025
Pigs around 15 weeks old develop purple patches over the hindquarters extending to all over the body. Mortality is high. What is the cause of this lesion?
Week of 15-Jan-2025
Small intestine opened during a routine check in the slaughterhouse: what can we see?