Diseases of the farrowing house – piglets

Abscess – navel Infections – streptococcal bacteria enter the naval during processing resulting in peritonitis	Actinobacilliosis Actinobacillus suis results in abscessation.	Anaemia – iron deficiency Generally seen at the end of lactation but may be recognized pre-weaning as shown by the pale hairy pig right.
Arthritis – joint ill Generally associated with a streptococcal spp. infecting the joint Teeth clipping may be the route	Atresia ani Generally recognized in males in the farrowing house, who bloat and then die.	Atrophic rhinitis Recognised in the farrowing house by sneezing
Aujeszky’s disease Results in weak piglets with conjunctivitis and tonsilar necrosis	Bush foot Specific infection of the lower foot generally associated with streptococci spp.	Carpal injuries May almost be considered normal – progression of wear at the carpus once they are in contact with the floor
Clostridium dificile May create diarrhoea, which may be unresponsive to treatment. Note Cl.dificile is also normal	Clostridium perfringens Type C and A. Type C results in death in the first 3 days, postmortem reveals blood in small intestine (left); in chronic cases gas bubbles (right) may be seen in the wall of the intestine. Type A may be more chronic occurring at 10 days post-partum.
Coccidiosis Isospora suis causes diarrhoea and poor growth in day 7 plus piglets which is non-responsive to antibiotics.	Congenital tremor Several forms, common form seen in awake piglets -- a fine tremor; piglets generally grow out of the problem if they can suckle.	Cryptosporidiosis Uncommon – a parasite infection similar to coccidiosis. Occurs in piglets older than 10 days.
Congenital deformities Congenital deformities can be extremely variable and most are life threatening. The photographs demonstrate a cleft palate, a meningeocoele and lack of tibia (X-ray photo). Specific forms to note are discussed in other photographs
Escherichia coli problems Present as toxaemia in the first three days – first photograph and as milky diarrhoea from 3 to 10 days (right pictures)– clinical signs and severity partially depend on the serotype of E. coli present.
Epitheliogenesis imperfecta Congenital abnormality resulting in an area of whole skin being missing, generally heals without consequence.	Eperythrozoon suis May be considered as a differential in anaemic piglets. Parasite lives in red blood cells.	Facial necrosis Staphylococcus infection of the skin associated with fighting, generally over milk shortage
Glasser’s disease Relatively uncommon in the farrowing house, generally seen post-weaning. Presents as a polyserosititis	Greasy pig disease Generally not seen in the farrowing house, but if occurs examine for biting flies or other causes of wounds	Hypothermia Very common – together with malnutrition – cause of crushing by the sow.
Hernia – scrotal Recognised prior to castration. Other hernias, umbilical and acquired may also be seen.	Malnutrition Together with hypothermia major cause of crushing	Mange mites May be few clinical signs, but the piglet can act as a host to the mite and must be included in any eradication programme
Middle ear infection Generally seen after weaning. May be associated with a head cold and sneezing	Navel bleeding Short navel and very pale piglet. Little blood at post-mortem	Porcine epidemic diarrhoea Causes severe diarrhoea in piglets in Asia – very similar to TGE
PRRSV Produces very weak piglets that often get other conditions. Note the domed head in this piglet infected at birth	Rotavirus diarrhoea Generally a secondary problem, but can cause severe watery diarrhoea in piglets 3-7 days of age.	Splayleg Common, failure of the piglet to stand properly after birth – environmental and genetic problem. May also be seen in front legs

Streptococcal meningitis If piglets are not treated promptly high mortality will ensure – associated with Streptococcus suis II. Check environmental stressors and colostrum policies	Teat necrosis The normal teat is enlarge in the first 3 days and abrasion with the floor results in necrosis	Thrombocytopaenia Seen in piglets post-colostrum who may suddenly die with multiple hemorrhages throughout the carcase
TGE Severe diarrhoea and death in piglets less than 10 days of age. Protection through sow immunization through feedback	Vomiting and wasting disease Another coronavirus similar to TGE.	Vit E deficiency and iron intoxication Piglets die shortly after iron injection with a specific liver damage