Nursery Pig Diseases

Question 1

What age are piglets weaned and moved into the nursery or wean-to-finish facilities?

Answer 1

3 weeks

Question 2

Which of the following statements is TRUE about weaned piglets?
A. they no longer need supplemental heating and can be maintained at 65 degrees
B. feed should be available on mats during the first few days
C. piglets are primarily sorted according to gender
D. medications cannot be given to piglets via water or feed

Answer 2

B. feed should be available on mats during the first few days

weaning piglets still require supplemental heat. they are sorted primarily based on size, but sometimes gender. medications are given via water and feed.

Question 3

A group of piglets develop diarrhea a few days before weaning. The diarrhea is green-gray in color and the piglets are losing weight. They have rough haircoats. The producer assumed it was E. coli and treated them with some left over Neomycin, but there have not gotten better.
What is the diagnosis and how do you treat them?

Answer 3

coccidiosis
Tx = Ponazuril/Toltrazuril (most effective), sulfonamides (poor result)

Question 4

What are 8 CNS disorders of weaned piglets?

Answer 4

1. Edema Disease (E. coli; rapidly fatal condition)
2. Meningitis (Strep. suis; tx = beta lactams like amoxicillin or penicillin)
3. Salt poisoning/water deprivation (tx= reintroduce water slowly; pigs with clinical signs may die regardless of tx)
4. Ascending paralysis from tail abscess/infection
5. otitis interna +/- aural hematoma
6. Pseudorabies virus (herpesvirus, uncommon but reportable)
7. Rabies (uncommon)
8. Glassers Disease (glaeserella/haemophilus parasuis; tx penicillin, ceftiofur, amoxicillin, sulfonamides)

Question 5

what 4 organisms most likely cause polyserositis/arthritis in weaned piglets?

Answer 5

1. strep suis type 2
2. hemophilus parasuis
3. mycoplasma hyorhinitis + hyosynoviae
4. erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

Question 6

Systemic clinical signs associated with what 2 organisms can lead to CNS disorders in weaned piglets?

Answer 6

1. strep suis type 2
2. hemophilus parasuis

Question 7

What are 6 respiratory disorders of weaned piglets?

Answer 7

1. atrophic rhinitis
2. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome
3. Circovirus (PCV2)
4. Swine influeza virus (SIV)
5. Salmonellosis
6. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Question 8

What organism causes greasy pig disease, a condition characterized by focal erosions, suppurative folliculitis, and sebaceous glands secreting excessive greasy exudate. This starts on the face/ears, but can become generalized.

Answer 8

Staphylococcus hyicus

Question 9

What does greasy pig disease usually result from?

Answer 9

fighting wounds (check their teeth)

Question 10

what is the treatment for greasy pig disease?

Answer 10

topical disinfectants – dilute bleach.

antibiotics are NOT effective.