Swine Dysentery

1. DESCRIPTION:

Swine dysentery (SD) is a severe, infectious disease characterized by mucohemorrhagic diarrhea and marked inflammation limited to the large intestine (cecum and/or colon).

2. ETIOLOGY:

Swine dysentery is a disease that affects weaners in the postweaning period, ranging from 6 – 12-week-old and is associated with a mucohemorrhagic diarrhea that results in rapid weight loss. The etiological agent of the disease is the anaerobic spirochete Treponema hyodysenteriae. Treponema hyodysenteriae can persist in water, feces for two months, in soil for 18 days. The organism can be transmitted by birds, flies, and fomites. Carrier sows often transmit to their piglets. Mice infection on premises may also be a source of infection.

3. CLINICAL SIGNS:

  • Acute form: the infected will have mild fever, ranging from 40oC to 40,5o Diarrhea, usually with gray to yellow, mucoid feces often is the first sign noticed. With SD, diarrhea continues and quickly becomes mucohemorrhagic, with excess mucus and fresh blood apparent. In a small percent of the pigs, diarrhea may be preceded by tail twitching or a humped, gaunt appearance. Fresh, red blood in mucus-containing feces often is profuse and the perineal area may become blood stained. Signs that follow prolonged diarrhea are those associated with dehydration. These include sunken eyes, marked weakness, hollow flanks and weight loss. In advanced cases, appetite is erratic but the animals continue to drink. Even with treatment, occasionally, sudden death is observed. In untreated herds morbidity is high and mortality can reach 50%.
  • Chronic form: usually occurs in adult swine.

4. PREVENTION:

  • Provide attentive care to the herd by providing clean food and water source.
  • Quarantine infected individual thoroughly.
  • Spraying disinfectant periodically 1 – 2 times per week.

Our experts recommend mix these products in feed to prevent SD.

5. TREATMENT:

Tiamulin and Lincomycin can be effective treatments given by injection or in water. Select among these injectable solution to give treatment to infected swine.

Know-How, Swine