Herd Health

More than 1,000 papers were presented at the 22nd IPVS Congress last June. A further sample of those that caught the author’s eye

by ERNEST SANFORD

In the last issue of Better Pork, I covered some of the “Take Homes” gleaned from papers presented at the 22nd IPVS Congress held in Korea in June 2012. In this issue, I’ll finish off my review of papers that caught my attention at the congress.

A record number of attendees also heard numerous papers on Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, swine influenza, ileitis, Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia and salmonella. Here are some key
take-homes

by ERNEST SANFORD

Hernias are fairly common in young pigs and may reduce the value of the pig at slaughter. Surgical correction is possible, but not recommended

by S. ERNEST SANFORD

Hernias involving the abdominal wall include umbilical, inguinal and scrotal. These hernias are among the most common developmental defects in swine. Umbilical hernias are also called by the common name “belly ruptures.”

Streptococcus suis, Haemophilus parasuis and Actinobacillus suis have similar profiles and are common in recently weaned nursery pigs. Some guidelines on how to identify and deal with them

by ERNEST SANFORD

The 38th Leman Swine Conference delivered much new information on control and elimination of PRRS virus being used in PRRS ARC&E projects and compelling new insights
into peri-weaning failure to thrive syndrome (PFTS)

by ERNEST SANFORD

Research and observations on several fronts are helping our understanding of Peri-weaning Failure to Thrive Syndrome (PFTS), in particular the suspicion that vitamin D deficiency may play a part  

by ERNEST SANFORD

I have written previously about Peri-weaning Failure to Thrive Syndrome (PFTS), but under the name Post-weaning Catabolic Syndrome (April 2009).  Over the summer and fall of 2011, several things have emerged to create a better understanding of PFTS, including the following:

With 113 papers delivered, PCV2 was the top topic at last June’s symposium on Emerging and Re-Emerging Pig Diseases, with PRRS not far behind 

by S. ERNEST SANFORD

In the second of two articles on parasitic diseases, a swine specialist reviews four parasitic diseases that, though reduced, remain of clinical and economic importance

by S. ERNEST SANFORD

I’ll start by saying that the move to total indoor, confinement-rearing of pigs has reduced the prevalence of most internal parasites in our domestic pig population. However, unlike the external parasites, which are almost all gone and definitely miniaturized in importance, most internal parasites are still present and important in our pigs.

Many once-common parasitic diseases have largely been eliminated. In the first of two articles, a swine specialist discusses parasite groups that no longer afflict our herds

by S. ERNEST SANFORD

This bacterium, which causes fever, lameness and mobility problems in young pigs, doesn’t respond well to antibiotics and is best prevented by controlling other respiratory diseases that may trigger it

by S. ERNEST SANFORD

Mycoplasma hyorhinis is a bacterium that causes polyserositis and arthritis virtually identical to those caused by Haemophilus parasuis (the Glässer’s disease organism), and Streptococcus (Strep) suis.