Non Specific Colitis

Causal agent	None identified. Diarrhoea of weaned pigs of any age from weaning to slaughter. Diarrhoea can occur within hours of consuming a new batch of pelleted feed and they can dramatically cease within hours of the removal of the suspect feed. Considered important factors are nutrition, infectious agents, and draughts
Age group	Weaning to slaughter pigs, most common between 25-30 kg pigs
Clinical signs
	Softening of faeces with/without mucus and/or blood
	Diarrhoea can develop
	Decreased growth rate. Feed conversion increases
	Most common between 8-10 weeks of age
	More commonly seen in fast growing pigs on high density diets
Infectivity
	Agent not recognised, but can appear to spread around and between farms The syndrome classically occurs with a particular feed and when this is changed the ‘disease’ disappears. Nutritional factors known to affect digestion are: Presence of trypsin inhibitors in peas, beans and soya Poor quality fat
Post-mortem Lesions
	The colon and small intestine may demonstrate areas of inflammation both acute and chronic. The spiral colon contains abundant watery green or yellow mucoid and frothy contents. In some cases there may be no gross lesions. The photograph shows raised rugae in the inside of the large bowl but few other lesions
Diagnosis
	Based on the clinical signs and absence of other specific organisms
Treatment
	Improve the environment, remove draughts and ensure that the stocking rate is correct – photo shows a growing shed being examined for draughts
	Do not place pigs into buildings which are damp and cold
	Check and clean the water supply
	Ensure the correct pig is placed in the building
	Change the feed to a meal
	Establish an all-in/all-out programme
Common differentials
	Other causes of post-weaning diarrhoea