Post-weaning Sneezing

Causal agent	Multiple bacteria and viruses. Includes, Bacteria- Pasturella multocida, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Haemophilus parasuis, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, A. suis, streptococci spp., pseudomonas spp, proteus and other environmentally originated bacteria. Various mycoplasmas’. Chlamydia involved in the conjunctivitis. Viruses - Inclusion Body Rhinitis and PRRSv. None of these agents are specifically required to cause the sneezing.
Age group	Classically 10-30 days post-weaning
Clinical signs
	The group of weaned pigs present with mild to severe sneezing. The symptoms will progressively reduce within 2-3 weeks.
	The sneezing may progress to middle ear disease.
	Conjunctivitis may be seen in several pigs. May be severe.
Infectivity
	Mixing of the ‘normal’ microflora of the nasopharynx between different litters of piglets.
Transmission
	Nasal contact.
Post-mortem Lesions
	A non-progressive rhinitis. Conjunctivitis. The nasal cavity may be filled with purulent material.
Diagnosis
	Clinical examination. Weaners rarely die specifically associated with post-weaning sneezing.
Treatment and Control
Treatment	Mixed infection. Specific treatment supportive and generally unrewarding. Often consider almost ‘normal’ on most farms. The problem disappears by 30 kg weight
Control	All-in/all-out
	Review management of the farm building. Avoid chilling and drafts.
	Review PRRSv stablisation programme
	Combine litters pre-weaning
	If sneezing also in farrowing house – review atrophic rhinitis controls
Common differentials
	Progressive Atrophic Rhinitis.
Zoonotic implications
	There are no zoonotic implications. Individual components may be pathogenic in man