Herd Health

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.

Considered eradicated in the 1900s, this old nemesis is back in parts of North America, but treatment and control is possible with the right combination of measures

by S. ERNEST SANFORD

Swine dysentery is an old nemesis that we thought we had eradicated in the 1990s, but apparently not so. Over the last two or three years, there have been increasing reports of outbreaks from several parts of the U.S. Midwest and  Southeast, and also some parts of Canada.

Removed from the market some years ago, this long-acting and effective coccidiocidal compound is now available by prescription from veterinarians once again

by ERNEST SANFORD