How to Treat Piglet Edema Disease? Detailed Guide to Prevention and Control Methods

Piglet edema disease is an acute swine disease caused by pathogenic Escherichia coli that mostly affects weaned piglets, and it often occurs in weaned piglets that are in good growth condition and robust build, causing rapid death, which leaves many farmers heartbroken.

Piglet edema disease has a sudden onset: a normally robust piglet suddenly becomes listless, slow to respond, weak in the hind legs, and has difficulty walking; when it falls down, its limbs move erratically in a paddling motion, and its cries are hoarse. Edema occurs in the eyelids, face, neck, and even the whole body of the piglet, along with loss of appetite, and weaned piglets sometimes develop diarrhea. 

Prevention methods: Since piglet edema disease is closely related to changes in feed and feeding methods, piglets should not be weaned abruptly; supplementary feeding measures should be taken before weaning to avoid weaning stress in piglets. After weaning, do not suddenly change the feed or feeding methods, and increase the feed amount gradually. Keep the pig house well insulated, ventilate promptly, avoid an overly damp growing environment for piglets, disinfect strictly, and clean up piglet manure in a timely manner. 

Treatment methods: At present, piglet edema disease is still treated with comprehensive symptomatic therapy, and treatment should be initiated in the early stage of onset. Restrict the feed intake of sick pigs, reduce the protein content in the feed, appropriately increase the fiber content in the feed, add organic acids, and administer antibiotic drugs orally. After listlessness, reduced appetite, diarrhea, or loose stools appear, intramuscular injection should be carried out immediately.