Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS):
Porcine Reproductive and Res-
piratory Syndrome, or PRRS, has a host of symptoms and is sometimes confused with pseu-
dorabies. PRRS affects the pig's lungs, which leads to reduced oxygen levels. There is a high
fever, loss of appetite, coughing, and breathing problems. There also can be reproductive
problems, such as late-term abortions for pregnant sows. At the moment, there is no treatment
for PRRS but veterinarians may treat the pig with antibiotics to prevent or lessen secondary
infections. There is a vaccine for PRRS, but it seems to be only moderately successful against
the virus. There are research efforts to make a more effective vaccine.
Pseudorabies (mad itch):
Pseudorabies symptoms include paralysis, fever, coma, and death.
Among adult pigs, the symptoms include the telltale “mad itch,” which can make the pig rub
itself raw before dying. Pseudorabies is contagious and is caused by the herpes virus. Most
states require testing for this disease as it is easily spread to other farm animals and causes
death. When it initially shows up on a farm, the symptoms are manifested in high numbers of
miscarriages and weak pigs.
There is a vaccination for pseudorabies, but it is only available in states where pseudorabies is
considered widespread. The vaccine does not prevent pseudorabies; it only prevents the
symptoms from manifesting. The United States declared pseudorabies eradicated from the
commercial pig sector in 2004, but the disease is still found among the feral pig population.
Pseudorabies is a legally reportable disease: if it appears in your herd, you must report it to
your veterinarian and health officials. The disease may be transmitted to other animals, and
they may display symptoms similar to rabies though pseudorabies is not related to rabies. In-
cinerating the carcass may be necessary after a pig dies from pseudorabies.
Swine dysentery:
Swine dysentery may be identified by diarrhea, particularly bloody
diarrhea. It is most common in the Midwest among larger pork producers. The disease affects
the large intestine in pigs. It is acute, coming on quickly and rapidly escalating. It is also fatal.
So far, there has not been much success with a vaccine for swine dysentery. The disease is
usually traceable to sales barns or to people who have tracked manure from an infected farm
on their shoes. It can affect any pigs, but it most often affects young growing pigs. Pigs pick-
ing up or eating manure from a sick pig or a pig carrying the disease usually spread it. If your
feeder pigs contract swine dysentery, it is not unusual to lose up to 20 percent of your herd.
The pigs that survive will likely have stunted growth and may do poorly. There are currently
no specific cures for swine dysentery. The best way to stop it is to keep it from coming to
