Common Diseases of Pigs

1. Salt poisoning

Salt poisoning in pigs occurs due to the excess intake of salt through the feed. An excess of ordinary

feeding salt in the ration or garbage feeding may result in this condition. The affected pigs show

symptoms of itchiness, thirst and constipation. They may become blind, deaf and completely

indifferent around the pen bumping into walls.

Providing water at all times liberally is most important in order to prevent the occurrence of the

disease. The feed should be replaced and providing salt in the ration should be completely stopped.

Mildly affected pigs will recover easily, whereas seriously affected ones may have to be isolated for

disposal.

2. Mercury poisoning

Mercury poisoning in pigs occurs as a result of feeding grains that have been treated with a

fungicide. Sudden death is observed in case of severe poisoning. The affected pigs will go off -feed,

become weak, suffer partial blindness and eventually become unconscious and die.

To prevent occurrence of mercury poisoning all surplus treated grains should be burned and ashes

buried deeply. A veterinary help may be required.

3. Head poisoning

This usually occurs in pigs which are let loose to feed on waste heap With old cans, tins and

batteries. Poisoned animals will show the symptoms of feed, pass. blood stained stools, stagger and

squeal. Jaw munching, convulsions, partial blindness and coma are observed in the final stages.

One to four ounces of Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) can be provided to the suspected animals as

a first aid before seeking the advice of a veterinarian. Pigs should be prevented from having easy

access to the disposed cans, tins, etc. by discarding the tins in proper places.

4. Mould poisoning

Feeding of mould grains by the pigs result in their poisoning due to moulds. A decreased feed

consumption and rate of gain are the first visual symptoms. The affected animals show swelling of

external genitalia accompanied with weakness, staggering, yellow membranes and possibly death.

Pregnant sows may abort. Avoid feeding mouldy grains to the pigs. Especially to the pregnant or

breeding females. Keep the feeding trough clean and avoid chances of left over feed getting mouldy.

5. Lameness and paralysis

This condition affects both the new born and mature animals. Lameness and paralysis occur due to

arthritis, lack of calcium and phosphorus and vitamin E deficiencies. Nutritional deficiencies have

also been responsible for abnormal location. The environment and poor management of the pigs

also contribute to the impaired locomotion of pigs. Symptoms of lameness and paralysis are

fractures, swelling of joints, partial paralysis of both rear legs or an individual limb and shifting of

weight from leg to leg.

The control and treatment include provision of feeding a balanced ration and providing an ideal

environment to the pig for housing.

6. Heat stroke

Heat stroke may occur as a result of extremely hot weather, poor ventilation and lack of sufficient

fresh water during summer. Affected animals appear dull and seek shade and water. The body

temperature rises very high. It can be treated by applying wet cool packs to the back, sides and head

of the affected animal. In extremely Warm weather, well ventilated accommodation should be

provided. Fresh water should be available at all times. It is advisable not to have sows over fat at

farrowing time. Pigs kept outdoors must have shade and water.

7. Sunburn

Sunburn affects young pigs frequently and particularly white breeds due to excessive exposure to

sunlight. The symptoms are formation of large areas of pink, reddened skin which may develop

blisters. The pig staggers and sways. Treatment consists of providing shade and the application of

soothing medicines to the affected areas on skin. Sunstroke can be prevented by providing shade

and allowing pigs to have exposure to sunlight in increasing daily stages.

8. Constipation

Constipation means failing or having difficulty in passing , feaces. It is common in pigs of all ages and

occurs frequently in sows at farrowing time. Sudden changes in feed, over feeding, lack of exercise,

poor water supply and high temperature during the course of a disease may result in constipation.

Constipation at farrowing time can be prevented by feeding a bulky ration during the dry period and

the amount should be reduced as farrowing approaches. Provide plenty of water and add bran to

the ration bulky and thus avoid constipation. Mineral oils have also been successful in treating

constipation.

9. Mastitis

Mastitis is inflamation of the udder which leads to stoppage of milk production. The affected, glands

of the udder become swollen, hot and painful and the sow will not allow the piglets to nurse.

Common symptoms are fever, loss of appetite, constipation, and reduced milk flow. Proper f eeding

and management before and after farrowing lowers the occurrence of mastitis. Care should be taken

to avoid injuries to the udder and all wounds on the teats and glands should be cleaned and treated

with an antiseptic preparation. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of pen can control mastitis.

10. Metritis

Metritis is inflammation of uterus and occurs mainly due to insanitary conditions. Affected sows will

show signs of metritis at 1-3 days after farrowing. The sow will be off-feed, depressed, showing high

temperature and unwillingness to move. Prevention should include an examination and treatment of

the boar to prevent the spread of infection during breeding. Farrowing pens should be thoroughly

cleaned and disinfected.

11. Infertility and abortion

Infertility may be the result of infectious diseases, anatomical, hormone malfunctions and hereditary

defects. There may be parallel malfunctions in the boars also. Treatment of such animals is costly

and it is better to dispose of such animals. Abortions and still births may occur due to infections of

bacteria, fungi, virus and nutritional deficiencies.

12. Agalactia

Agalactia means partial or complete absence of milk flow Immediately after farrowing. It is most

commonly seen in gilts and young sows. The causes may be nutritional deficiencies, lack of water,

extreme heat or cold, constipation, mastitis, metritis, pneumonia, etc. Another important cause is

hormonal dysfunctioning for which veterinary help must be sought.

13. Anaemia

Anaemia is found commonly in young pigs of 2 -3 weeks old and is caused due to lack of iron and

copper in their bodies. Symptoms are paleness of the skin and in severe cases, a definite chalky

appearance is noticed. There is slow decline in health and the anaemic piglets are more susceptible

to other diseases than normal piglets. It can be prevented by providing iron containing foodstuffs

orally or by iron injections. Iron containing powders, pastes and liquids are also available in the

market which can be given twice a week in small amounts until the piglets are eating good amounts

of solid food. Over dose of oral or injectable preparations should be avoided.

14. White scours

The occurrence of white scours is a common problem among piglets and are a major cause of high

mortality of piglets in farrowing bums. They occur among the one week old pig lings and the affected

piglets are listless, weak and rapidly lose weight. A profuse yellowish white creamy diarrhoea is

evident. White scours is caused by bacteria and one of the best ways of preventing is to ensure that

the piglets receive colostrum milk (sow's milk within 4 -5 days of its litter is called colostrum and

contains antibodies). Strict sanitation should be followed and ensure that the piglets are born in a

warm, dry and draft free environment.

15. Para Keratosis

This is a non-inflammatory disease affecting tile skin of pigs and is caused by a high calcium and low

zinc in tile ration. Symptoms include lesions occurring on tile skin between tile hind legs and on tile

underside of tile stomach, crusty scales, low feed intake and poor weight gain. It is prevented by

properly balancing tile ration for calcium and zinc.

III. Non-contagious Diseases

The non-contagious diseases do not spread from pig to pig by contact. Only few animals will be

affected at a time. They are not very serious diseases as the affected animals usually recover if they

are detected promptly and proper treatment is given in time.

However, most of these diseases can also be prevented by good care, handling and management.

The non-contagious diseases are usually caused by parasites. These parasites may live outside tile

body or inside the body. Those living outside the body are called external parasites and those living

inside the body are called internal parasites.

A. External parasites

External parasites of pigs consist of a wide variety of insects such as lice, flea and flies having wings

or wingless, ticks and mites. These group of parasites have jointed legs and vary in size. The winged

insects frequently move from one host to other with the help of their wings, whereas wingless

insects or ticks are found adapted to their host. They have well developed claws on their legs or

mouth parts by which they can cling to the skin, burrow or cut and suck blood through skin. Mites

are found under the skin where they inflict injury and irritation. the symptoms include loss of blood,

irritation, scratching of body over any hard surface and reduction of feed in take. Raw bleeding areas

due to scratching invites winged insects, which often lay eggs on these wounds. These eggs develop

into larvae which search for fresh tissues and burrow deep inside the muscles. In swine the louse

and mange mites are the most common pests.

1. Hog louse

This parasite is found common in pigs and is often observed around the ears and on the backs and

sides of affected animals. Pigs constantly scratch and rub themselves and show irritation when the

lice puncture the skin and suck blood. Hog lice are capable of transmitting swine fever and usu ally do

not leave the body of a living pig other than by direct contact with other pigs.

Treatment and control

All pigs in a barn should be carefully inspected regularly for tile presence of lice. New additions to

the herd should be checked carefully for the presence of lice and dewonning all pigs in the barn

should be done. For treatment, p[ and Metthoxychlor preparations are frequently used for louse

control.

2. Mange mites

There are two types of mange mites that affect swine. The mites burrow into the skin and lay their

eggs. They are seen more often in winter months. The most common symptom is intense itching

which results in constant rubbing and scratching by the pits. The skin becomes quite reddended and

have a scurfy appearance.

Treatment and control

Spraying with Lindane is highly effective and should be repeated every 10-12 days to eradicate the

mites completely. Lindane should not be used on very young pigs or animals close to market weight.

The pig bam should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

B. Internal parasites

Non-contagious internal parasites are worms usually found inside the host's body, especially in the

gut, stomach, intestine, bronchitis, muscles, connective tissues and urinary system. Large intestinal

round worms, nodular worms, whip worms and red stomach worms are the common intestinal

parasites.

1. intestinal roundworms (Ascaris suum)

It is Large the most common parasite of swine and causes considerable economic loss to hog

production. Both adult and young pigs are affected. The young pigs become stunted and unthrifty

and have long coats of hair. They also become easily susceptible to pneumonic. conditions. The adult

pigs have damaged intestinal walls resulting in inflammation. The adult worms are very large,

creamy pink in colour and can be seen when passed with the faeces.

2. Nodular worms (Oesophagostomum delltatum)

The worm is small and is thread like in appearance. they damage the intestine by causing

inflammation and pinhead nodules in the intestine. Symptoms include low absorption of feed and

the pigs become thin and may have diarrhoea under severe infestation.

3. Whip worm (Trichuris trichiura)

This wonn commonly affects hogs and is shaped like whip and so called whipwonn. The damage

caused by the whip worm is not usually severe but harmful organisms easily enter the intestine due

to the inflammation of the intestine.

4. Red stomach worm (Hyostrongylius rubidus)

The red stomach worm is very small, reddish in colour and can be seen in the mucous of the

stomach wall. It causes considerable damage to the lining of the stomach which results in bleeding

and ulceration of the stomach lining.

Prevention and control of worms

Insanitary condition is the main cause of the incidence of these parasites. Therefore, regular cleaning

and proper disposal of manure and other waste materials should be carried out. Mix sodium flouride

in feed @ 0.75 to I % for control of ascarids. Cadmium oxide fed @ 0.015% in feed for three days is

effective in re4noving round wonns. Piperazine salt is quite effective in removing round wonns and

nodular worms. It can be given in feed or water to young pigs as we ll as sows just prior to farrowing.

Hygromycin and thiabendazole are also effective against nodular worms and rcd stomach worms.

C. Protozoan parasites

These parasites are very minute and cannot be seen with the naked eye. They may either live in the

tissues (pigs alimentary system) or in the blood of the pigs. Tissue parasites for example Eimeria sp.,

Isopora sp. and Bacillus coli invade different tissues and take nutrients from the host for their

growth. They affect the stomach and thus produce impaired stomach, loose stool, diarrhoea and

sometimes dysentery, whereas blood parasites, for example Trypanosoma sp,. Toxoplasma sp. etc.

invade different internal systems of pigs and destroy blood cells, produce fever, listlessness,

diarrhoea, jaundice and may even result in the death of the animal.

Prevention and control

Control measures include improved hygiene, over crowding of young piglets should be avoided, pens

should be cleaned regularly and feeding facilities should be improved. Control of intennediate hosts

like ticks should also be done. Ticks can be controlled by using different organo-phosphates or

organo-chlorinated com- pounds.

IV. Contagious Diseases

Some of the diseases of pigs spread rapidly in the herd and cause high mortalily. These diseases are

generally transmissible and are caused by virus, bacteria and fungi. The transmissible (i.e. infectious

or contagious) disease often affects the entire flock in stages and are, therefore, of vital concern to

the poultry keepers.

It is not always easy to determine how exactly a particular disease finds its way into a herd. but it is

certain that every outbreak originates from some infected animals which transmits the disease to

others. It is known that infectious diseases are generally introduced into healthy herds through

newly purchased animals. Wild birds. insects, animals and human beings also contribute to the

spread of the infection from one place to another The contagious diseases are usually caused by

virus and bacteria. The common contagious diseases are described below.

A. Viral diseases

1. Hog cholera (swine fever)

It is a highly, infectious virus disease affecting swine of all ages.

Symptoms

Young pigs usually show signs of the disease first. Depression, lack of appetite, a drooping attitude,

high fever, marked eye discharge due to conjunctivitis, early constipation followed by diarrhoea are

some of the earliest symptoms. As the disease progresses, a purple discolouration of the skin of the

belly is common.

Treatment and control

In early infection (3 -4 days) treat with anti-hog cholera serum. Vaccination before occurrence of

outbreak with swine fever vaccine will prevent outbreak. An amount of five doses along with 5 ml

cold sterile distilled water can be given to pigs of less than one year old.

2. Foot and mouth disease

Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious disease of all cloven footed animals. However, in pigs

the disease is not usually as severe as in catlle.

Symptoms

Symptoms include appearance of small blisters in the mouth, causing soreness and a reluctance to

feed. There may be severe lameness in swine due to blisters around the top of the hoof and

between the toes or claws.

Treatment and control

There is no specific treatment for this disease. Timely vaccination of animals should be done. Other

treatments are following hygienic measures in the barn and washing the lesion with potassium

permanganate solution.

3. Transmissible gastroenteritis

It affects pigs of all ages and piglets under two weeks of age are highl y susceptible.

Symptom. This disease occurs as an explosive outbreak with a sudden onset of profuse, watery

diarrhoea. Most piglets under ten days of age will die within 2 -7 days after showing symptoms. It

usually appears in winter months. The nursing sow may also become ill, go off-feed and collapse.

Treatment and control

There is no specific treatment for this disease except that strict measures should be taken to isolate

and dispose of affected animals. Care should be taken during the introduction of new stock to a

herd. Building, etc. should be thoroughly disinfected.

4. Rabies

Rabies is a virus disease of all warm-blooded animals. It is mostly caused by dog or cat bites. The

virus is present in the dog's saliva which is transmitted through bites.

Symptoms

Affected pigs may salivate, walk backwards, have convulsions and eventually become paralysed.

There is no treatment for rabies. Keep the dogs and cats away from pigs, especially mad dogs.

.

6. Pig influenza

It is a viral disease affecting mostly young pigs.

Symptoms

The affected animals suffer from severe fever, loss of appetite, respiratory distress and discharge

from the nostrils and eyes are also noticed.

Prevention and control

The pigs should be provided with warm bedding and protected from cold. Vaccination must be

repeated every six months to be effective in swine.

B. Bacterial diseases

1. Brucellosis

Both the sow and boar are affected by brucellosis. It causes infected delivery in female animals and

infection of the reproductive organs in the male animals.

Symptoms

Swollen joints, lameness, abortion as early as 22 days and sterility may occur. Infertility and lack of

sexual drive in boars is also seen.

Treatment and control

It is better to dispose of infected animals from the herd. The boars should be carefully controlled

because the germs from the boar can be transmitted without the boar itself being ill.

2. Salmonellosis

This is a common contagious disease among swine caused by Salmonella bacteria. Spoiled feed,

sudden change in feed and insanitary conditions are the main secondary factors responsible for the

spread of the bacteria.

Symptoms

The common symptoms are dullness, high fever, dark red to purple discolouration of the skin along

the stomach and tips of ears. In acute endemic form, which is common in grower pigs, high fever

and a severe watery diarrhoea with a putrid odour and shreds of mucous from the intestinal wall are

observed.

Treatment and control

Infected animals should be segregated and treated. Water and feed should be checked. A thorough

clean up and disinfection should be carried out after the incidence of salmonellosis.

3. Anthrax

The disease is caused by bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It is a serious disease occurring sporadically

and affecting man and other animals. The disease germs can survive in the soil for years.

Symptoms

The affected animals show symptoms of high fever, inflamation of the throat, bloodstained fluid

coming from all the body opening, severe respiratory distress and dysentery. The affected animals

are usually found dead in the field.

Prevention and control

The carcass of tile animal suspected to have died of Anthrax should be burned and not buried. In a

field where anthrax has been found, as far as possible, cattle should be kept away. Anthrax spore

vaccine gives protection to health animals.

4. Pasteurellosis (bacterial pneumonia)

The disease is caused by a bacteria known as Pasturella nultocida. Sudden change in the

environment of the pig resulting in an additional stress to the animal's body is the favorable

condition for the occurrence of the disease.

Symptoms

Affected animals are depressed, huddle. breathe quickly, have a discharge from the nose and cough

frequently. Feed intake is reduced and many mamals are permanently affected, resulting in general

unthriftiness and poor growth.

Treatment and control

Provide proper environment for the pigs and avoid any feature that might cause extra stress. Isolate

all new stock before adding them in the herd. Follow sound management practices and provide good

sanitation, well ventilated barns and rich nutrition to the pigs to control the disease.

5. Swine erysipelas

It is an infectious disease of swine caused by a bacteria. The disease affects pigs of all ages. There are

two main fom1s-acute (septicaemic and skin) and chronic (joint lesions and heart lesions). Sows

which have farrowed recently are quite susceptible to an acute form and feeder pigs arthritic type

which later becomes chronic.

Symptoms

The disease is characterized by severe fever and appearance of typical reddish diamond shaped

discolourations on the body. In the acute septicaemic type, the pig is off -feed, has high temperature

and appears very sick. Dark reddish purple blotches appear along the neck throat, belly and inside

the thighs as well as ears. In the chronic form of the disease, swelling in joints, stiffness and

lameness is noticed. The joints most commonly affected are the back, elbow, stifle and hock.

Prevention and control

Affected animals should be isolated and treated with specific anti -swine erysipelas serum. Healthy

animals should be vaccinated against the disease in addition to treatment with antiserum.

Vaccination of young pigs should be done at 8-12 weeks of age and breeding stock twice a year

before breeding.

Disinfectants should be used frequently and liberally in pens and barns. Animals that die should be

properly disposed of.

6. Leptospirosis

It is an infectious disease of swine caused by a bacteria known as Laptospira icterolzaemorrhagiae.

The infection is usually spread by the urine of an infected animal.

Symptoms

Very small percentage of pigs suffer from acute trouble. Abortion in sows usually occurs 2-4 weeks

before pregnancy and is the only obvious symptoms of leptospirosis. Sometimes very weak piglets

are born at the normal time.

Prevention and control

A veterinary help should be sought to treat the infected animals. Wet and marshy pasture areas

should be fenced off to avoid the risk of exposure of swine on pasture.

7. Swine dysentery

Swine dysentery is a very common problem in the piggeries and is one of the worlds most serious pig

disease. It is caused by a bacteria known as Vibrio coli. Adults as well as young weaned pigs are

infected. The disease is spread through feed or water which has been contaminated by infected pigs

and carrier animals.

Symptoms

The first symptom includes a loose, light coloured to yellow diarrhoea. In a few days tile faeces may

become blood-stained with shreds of mucus and producing putrid odour. The affected pigs are

depressed, become quite dehydrated due to loss of body fluids and gradually loose weight due to

low feed consumption.

Prevention and control

A sound systematic sanitation programme will help in the prevention of the disease. New stocks

should be isolated for at least two weeks. Herd treatment through medicated drinking water is very

effective in controlling the disease. In recent years drugs such as Arsenic, Carbodox, Lincomycin,

Tylosin and Virginiamlycin have been commonly used for controlling this disease.

8. Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis in pigs is caused by a bacteria known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Young pigs get

infection through infected sows milk.

Symptoms

The disease affects all parts of tile body. Lesions are found throughout the body including internal

organs such as liver, spleen, kidneys, joints and lymph glands. Intermittent high fever is also often

noticed. The pig becomes very docile and sluggish and have good appetite.

Prevention and control

The first step in tile control of tuberculosis in a pig herd is to remove the source of infection periodic

testing should be done to remove and destroy the reacting animals and to keep the herd free of the

disease.

C. Protozoan disease

1. Balantidiosis

It is a protozoan disease of pigs and is caused by Balantiodium coli. The protozoa inhabit the caecum

and colon. Infection occurs through contaminated feed and water.

Symptoms

Symptoms include diarrhoea. dysentery, abdominal colic, vomitting, loss of appetite, muscular

weakness and faeces with blood and mucus.

Treatment and control

Control measures include: (i) treatment of affected animals and carriers, (ii) sanitary disposal of

infected faecal materials and (iii) prevention of feed and water contan1ination. The condition can be

treated with arsenical preparations, diguinol, neftin, chloro and oxytctra cycline s. Ayurvedic drugs

like hurchi and homeopathic drugs like meresol are also effective.

V. Prevention of Swine Diseases

Prevention is definitely better than cure and it is perhaps the only remedy available to pig farmers. It

is possible to prevent most of the non-contagious diseases. Contagious diseases can be prevented to

a certain extent through following timely preventive measures.

There are four important steps for removing cause of disease. They are (i) preventing the

introduction of new diseases, (i i) removing the existing sources of infection to break the disease

cycle, (iii) cleaning and disinfecting to reduce the number of disease organisms, (iv) practising good

management to reduce the effect of stress and to eliminate carrier animals.

A. Principles

Some of tile simple principles which can help in preventing most of the diseases to a great extent

and thereby reduce the loss due to diseases and make the piggery farm profitable are given below.

1. As far as possible, fanners rearing pigs should either raise their own fattening animals or buy only

from reputable and reliable disease free stock owners.

2. Animals with known history should be purchased.

3. Provide sufficient space, fresh air, good ventilation, sunlight, warmth and dry environment.

4. All pigs purchased should have proper identification marks.

5. Newly purchased animals should be isolated for 3 -4 weeks before they are introduced into the

herd.

6. House them in properly elevated, dry and hygienic rooms and buildings with good flooring and

surface drainage, all weather proof roof, easy to keep clean, not dirty, dry litter and guaranteeing a

constant temperature should be selected for boars, sows and piglets.

7. Follow strict hygienic and sanitary methods. Clean pens and buildings thoroughly and regularly

and dispose of dead animals by sanitary means.

8. The animals must be fed with good quality of balanced feed according to their age, sex,

physiological status and functions performed. Provide plenty of clean fresh water to drink.

9. All the pigs in the pen should be inspected daily to detect dull and unthrifty ones which may

apparently be not in sound health, and suspicious ones should be immediately isolated for special

care and attention.

10. The pig run whether enclosed or open should be clean.

11. Boars should be purchased and brought to the farm before they are of breeding age.

12. Animals which keep on scratching their bodies without eating their feed should be picked out

and examined for the presence of ectoparasites (lice, fleas, mange, etc). They must be removed by

dusting or spraying the medicines.

13. Animals which have diarrhoea and those loosing weight should be segregated and examined for

the presence of endoparasites. They must be dewormed regularly as per the recommendations .

14. Discourage, if not check, the entry of visitors into the pen and keep them away from baby pigs. A

few pairs of rubbed boots kept at the entrance for the visitors will help for entering the pen in case

of necessity.

15. Isolate dull and apparently sick animals into the segregation shed and dispose of dead animals

immediately.

16. Observe animals frequently and give extra care at weaning, castration and vaccination.

17. Outside yards and run-ways that have been occupied by disease affected swines cannot be made

safe by disinfection and should be left vacant for atleast a year. All litter and manure should be

removed so that the surface of the soil will be exposed to direct sunlight.

18. Consult the local veterinary doctor from time to time and arrange for timely preventive

vaccination of all animals against swine fever and other diseases before their occurrence.

B. Practices

1. All newly purchased animals or those brought back from shows and exhibitions, should be

quarantined and kept isolated for 3 -4 weeks before they are introduced into the herd.

2. Segregate tile young pigs, from older pigs.

3. Visitors should not be allowed to enter piggery pens and houses.

4. Provide plenty of shade, small stuffy housed are a nuisance

in hot weather. Free air circulation under the shade is important.

5. Sweep out thoroughly feeders, water troughs, runways and passages. Scrub with hot water and

lye, using one litre of lye in 45litres of cold water.

6. Apply a heavy, even coating of lime wash containing a reliable disinfectant to the floors, walls,

partitions, feeders, water troughs, and gutters.

7. In making lime wash use 0.45 kg of lime in 4.5 litres of water and as disinfectants vary greatly in

strength, they should be added according to the directions given on the container.

8. Remove manure completely from the floor and walls of the pen by thorough scraping.

9. Bum all scrapings and sweeping and do not allow them to scatter around the building.

10. Empty and scrub individual drinking bowl on troughs with a reliable disinfectant solution.

11. Remove all manure, straw-bedding and other refuse from the neighbour hood of the building.

12. To clean and disinfect an earthen floor, it is suggested that the top 15 cm of soil be removed and

replaced with 15 cm of fresh soil obtained from clean source.

13. Protect feed and water from being contaminated with manure and urine and from the droppings

of birds and rodents.

14. Dampness and overcrowding should be avoided by improving drainage and providing ample

living space. The pen should receive plenty of direct sunlight.

15. The animals should be fed adequately with well balanced rations to build up resistance against

disease.

16. Keep livestock and feed trucks away from those areas to which pigs have access.

17. The sow should be cleaned and washed before being introduced into the farrowing pen.

18. Regular deworming in affected area or herd should be done.

19. Correct feeding of the sow both before and after farrowing is necessary to ensure a litter of

strong healthy piglets.

20. The pig keepers in the villages should co-operate with one another and act collectively in taking

the necessary preventive measures. If an infectious disease breaks out in a herd, the above

additional precautions should be taken.

C. Preventive measures

The common methods of prevention of diseases are the use of disinfectants, vaccines and

fumigation. They are briefly described here.

1. Disinfectants

Disinfectants are chemicals used to disinfect the utensils, implements, the whole house and Its

surroundings. Some of the most common disinfectants which are available in the market are crest,

Lysol, Lye, Izal, lime and Creolin.

Solutions of these compounds for disinfecting houses and equipments are given below.

a. Lysol: Used as a 1 -2 % solution, it is an effective general disinfectant, suitable for-instruments,

equipments, foot bath, etc.

b. Lye (CaOH solution): About 2-5% solution will destroy most of pathogenic organisms and their

spores. Highly corrosive to skin.

c. Lime powder: An inexpensive general disinfectant, can be used as a white wash to walls; also used

in combination with 2-4 % Cresol or I-2% Lye as an economical and effective disinfectant.

To prepare white washing mixture, dissolve 22.5 kg hydrated lime in 27 litres of waters for several

hours and mix it with 7 kg of salt dissolved in 21litres of water.

2. Vaccination

Vaccination is a common method of preventing the diseases especially those for which suitable

treatment is not available.

Vaccines are now being used for swine fever, foot and mouth disease and rinderpest. These are

given in the table-1.

Table-1 : Prophylactic vaccination schedule of pigs

Sl.No Disease Vaccine Dose & route Immunity

1 Swine fever a. Freeze dried tissue culture

vaccine (IVBP, Pune-4)

1 ml S/C

inside thigh

1 year

b. Lapinised (living) swine

fever ear vaccination (IVRI,

Izatnagar)

1 ml S/C at

base of the

ear

1 year

2 Foot & mouth

disease

FMD vaccine (IVRI, Izatnagar) 10 ml S/C to

repeat after 6

---

months

3 Rinderpest Rinderpest tissue culture

vaccine

1 ml S/C 3 years

3. Fumigation

Fumigation of the buildings in the all in and all out (system of raising pigs have been found successful

in preventing occurrence of diseases. The most common fumigant is made from potassium

permanganate and formalin. For each 100 cu.ft of room space, use one ounce of formalin (37%

solution) and 0.6 ounce (17.5 g) of potassium permanganate. Mix the two chemicals in an enameled,

ceramic or plastic vessel. The wall and pen surfaces should be wet when the fumigation process is

started. The building should be tightly closed for 24 hours. Fumigated buildings should be well

ventilated for at least a day. Farrowing houses should remain closed and empty of livestock and feed

two weeks before sows are admitted for farrowing.

VI. Conclusion.

Economical piggery production demands healthy livestock. One of the worst hindrances in livestock

rearing is disease, and to keep the livestock free from disease is equally difficult. Hence the practice

is to keep the incidence of diseases low among livestock. To keep the disease incidence low, some of

the general aspects of preventive measures discussed in this booklet have to be kept in mind and

practised. Successful pig production generally depends on the efficient disease control. The aim of

fanners should be to prevent diseases and parasites rather than merely treating after they occur.

"Prevention is better than cure" and also the better the sanitation and management practices, the

less will be the occurrence of parasitic and other diseases among livestock.