Diagnosis and Treatment of Swine Arthritis and Analysis of Key Points
A Brief Analysis of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Swine Arthritis
A Brief Analysis of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Swine Arthritis
A rather troublesome problem in large-scale farms is the frequent occurrence of lameness in pigs, and arthritis is an important cause of pig lameness. This disease is caused by infection of the joints and surrounding tissues by bacteria or mycoplasma. It causes serious losses to pig farm production, manifested as slowed growth rate, reduced feed conversion rate, reduced reproductive performance of breeding pigs and reduced lactation capacity of sows, and in some cases may even cause death.
Other factors causing pig lameness include nutritional imbalance or nutritional deficiency, damage to the hooves and legs caused by trauma, and lameness caused by inappropriate structure and degenerative changes of bones and joints.
The author has been engaged in veterinary clinical work for many years. Combining the current actual situation of pig production in our region, the diagnosis and treatment of swine arthritis is summarized as follows, for discussion with pig farmers and veterinary colleagues, hoping to effectively control swine arthritis, reduce losses on pig farms, and improve the economic benefits of pig production.
I. Streptococcal Arthritis
Streptococcus can cause acute and chronic arthritis in pigs of all ages. It is most commonly seen in piglets and is considered part of the joint disease syndrome related to umbilical infection.
Relevant data show that most strains isolated from natural arthritis cases belong to group C Streptococcus (Streptococcus equisimilis), group L or group D (streptococcosis).
Streptococcal infection can occur in many situations. Streptococcus is very common in vaginal secretions, respiratory secretions and breast milk. Streptococcus can be isolated from the tonsils of clinically healthy piglets. Bacteria can infect through the umbilicus, damaged skin or hooves, and tonsils. Rough floors and bedding can wear away the skin on the legs of suckling or nursery piglets, and Streptococcus can easily infect through these wounds.
Arthritis caused by Streptococcus generally has a low incidence, usually below 5%. A small number of infected pigs may die, possibly from septicemia (pathogenic bacteria in the blood), or from diseases related to limited activity (such as starvation, being crushed, etc.).
Clinical symptoms: Acute streptococcal infection is characterized by fever, rough coat, depression and lameness. As the disease progresses, pigs become emaciated, and one or several infected joints become obviously swollen. The most common swelling sites are the knee, elbow and hock joints. The pain related to the disease and the resulting movement disorder limit the growth of sick pigs.
Infected pigs usually stop growing and carry chronic arthritis for life. The affected joints contain gradually increasing cloudy synovial fluid with fibrin clots; the joint membrane is swollen, discolored and red; the connective tissue capsule around the joint thickens and may contain very small abscesses. When arthritis becomes chronic, the articular cartilage can also be damaged. The epiphysis of bone growth also has lesions. Other symptoms related to systemic infection can be observed.
Diagnosis: Sudden lameness, joint swelling and fever in piglets aged 1-3 weeks may indicate streptococcal arthritis. The lesions of joints and bones are of diagnostic significance. After streptococcal infection, systemic lesions such as lymph node swelling, congestion, polyserositis, pneumonia or meningitis can appear along with arthritis. Streptococcus can be isolated from acutely inflamed joints by bacterial culture.
Prevention and treatment: Penicillin is recommended for treatment. The treatment effect is best in the early stage of the disease; if the inflammation becomes chronic, the treatment effect is very poor.
Vaccination can be used to prevent streptococcal arthritis. Vaccinating pregnant sows with streptococcal vaccine can provide passive protection to piglets through breast milk.
II. Swine Erysipelas Arthritis
Swine erysipelas can infect pigs of all ages. In chronic cases, it mainly manifests as arthritis, endocarditis or inflammation of the heart valves.
The pathogen is Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, whose virulence varies greatly. Some pig herds show no symptoms after infection; some herds may show mild symptoms after infection; it may also cause severe infection in some herds and lead to massive death.
Clinical symptoms: Pigs with chronic swine erysipelas arthritis have reduced appetite, general stiffness, lameness and reluctance to move. To relieve pain, they often shift their weight from one leg to another; the limbs may be tucked under the abdomen, showing an arched-back posture, unwilling to stand or completely unable to stand.
Chronic arthritis can affect one or more joints and affects pig movement to varying degrees. The affected joints may be obviously swollen and stiff; the synovial membrane is swollen and discolored, with connective tissue proliferation and inflammatory white blood cell infiltration; the lesions can spread to the ligaments and tendon sheaths around the joint. The synovial fluid increases and is red to brown; the cartilage at the bone ends of the joint may be severely eroded and necrotic. Bone proliferation at the joint margins causes the joint to be unable to bend. The lymph nodes at the affected joints are significantly swollen.
Diagnosis: Swine erysipelas arthritis can be confirmed by isolating bacteria from the joint, but this is relatively difficult. Severe chronic inflammation of the joint membrane and surrounding tissues and damage to bones and articular cartilage are of diagnostic significance. In pig herds with a history of acute swine erysipelas, if chronic arthritis occurs, it can almost be confirmed.
Prevention and treatment: Vaccination can prevent swine erysipelas. However, the preventive effect of immunization on chronic arthritis is not ideal.
Penicillin is recommended for treating acute swine erysipelas. If the acute stage is treated properly, chronic arthritis rarely occurs. For pigs that have already developed chronic arthritis, the treatment effect is poor. Corticosteroids can temporarily relieve the symptoms of arthritis, but cannot affect the final outcome of arthritis.
III. Mycoplasma Arthritis
Two kinds of mycoplasma can cause arthritis in pigs. Mycoplasma hyosynoviae can cause acute arthritis in pigs over 10 weeks of age, and Mycoplasma hyorhinis can cause acute and chronic polyserositis and arthritis in pigs aged 3-10 weeks, and can sometimes infect adult pigs. Both mycoplasmas can be isolated from the nasal cavity, throat and lungs of carrier pigs.
1. Mycoplasma hyosynoviae Arthritis
Arthritis caused by Mycoplasma hyosynoviae mainly occurs in pigs aged 12-24 weeks, and can also occur in young adult pigs. Pigs of any breed can be affected, but lean-type pigs and breeds with poor leg development seem more susceptible and have more severe symptoms. Joint degeneration disease (osteochondrosis) may be a very important predisposing factor for this disease. At present, it is generally believed that stress such as mixing groups, transportation or temperature changes are predisposing factors for this disease. It is often found that boars are prone to Mycoplasma hyosynoviae arthritis within 7-10 days after introduction into the herd.
Clinical symptoms: Mycoplasma hyosynoviae disease is characterized by sudden lameness in one or more legs. The severity and duration of lameness vary, usually lasting 10 days. Sometimes intense pain makes sick pigs afraid to walk on the infected leg. Infection of the hind limbs is characterized by lameness, frequent bending of the infected limb, weight shifting and posture changes. Sometimes the pig stands on the back of the hoof. Infection of the forelimbs is characterized by lameness, stiffness or kneeling below the fetlock. Infected pigs have difficulty standing, or cannot stand at all. Apart from hock joint infection, joint swelling is usually not seen. Pigs may have mild loss of appetite and slight increase in body temperature.
Acute Mycoplasma hyosynoviae arthritis leads to joint swelling filled with large amounts of turbid, yellow to brown fluid; the membrane around the joint thickens and is yellow to red; the membrane is granular or velvety; the tissues around the joint swell and the tendon sheaths become inflamed. The articular cartilage is usually normal.
Diagnosis: The age of infected pigs, sudden lameness and the nature of the lesions are the basis for preliminary diagnosis. Joint fluid can be sent to the laboratory for microbiological testing. Mycoplasma hyosynoviae can be isolated from about 50% of acutely infected joints. It is very difficult to isolate the pathogen from materials from chronic cases or from pigs treated with antibiotics.
Prevention and treatment: During the susceptible stage of pigs, operations that may cause stress should be reduced as much as possible. Breeding pigs should be selected with good leg structure and normal movement. Avoid buying breeding pigs from farms with severe arthritis.
At present, the most effective antibiotic against Mycoplasma hyosynoviae is tiamulin. Tylosin and lincomycin are also effective for treating Mycoplasma hyosynoviae infection. The treatment effect is ideal only in the acute stage of infection. Data show that administration through feed or drinking water can also effectively prevent or treat Mycoplasma hyosynoviae infection. The use of corticosteroids can relieve pain related to arthritis.
There is currently no vaccine for preventing Mycoplasma hyosynoviae arthritis.
2. Mycoplasma hyorhinis Arthritis
Mycoplasma hyorhinis is a common colonizing bacterium in the nasal cavity of pigs, and is also a common secondary infection bacterium causing swine pneumonia. Mycoplasma hyorhinis can sometimes cause inflammation of the serous membranes in the body cavities and arthritis in pigs.
Clinical symptoms: The initial symptoms of Mycoplasma hyorhinis infection are rough coat and varying degrees of depression. As the disease develops, obvious pain in the abdomen and chest can be observed. Pigs often lie on the abdomen, have reduced appetite and slightly increased body temperature. Some sick pigs show lameness and joint swelling. Arthritis usually lasts at least 6 months, leading to lameness and reduced flexibility. The clinical features of lameness vary depending on the severity of the disease and the joints involved. The amount of synovial fluid in the joint cavity increases and becomes discolored, and the joint membrane is swollen and yellow to red. The synovial fluid may contain fibrin clots.
Diagnosis: Arthritis accompanied by polyserositis (peritonitis, pleuritis and pericarditis) in pigs aged 3-10 weeks is very likely to be Mycoplasma hyorhinis infection. Mycoplasma can be isolated from the synovial fluid of joints with arthritis, and can also be isolated from body cavity exudates. Attention should be paid to distinguishing it from polyserositis and arthritis caused by Haemophilus parasuis.
Prevention and treatment: Stress responses and other diseases can make pigs more susceptible to Mycoplasma hyorhinis, so stress should be reduced and disease occurrence should be controlled.
There is no very effective treatment, and there is no effective vaccine for prevention. Mycoplasma pneumoniae vaccine cannot induce cross-protection against Mycoplasma hyorhinis.
IV. Arthritis Associated with Other Septicemic Infections
Systemic bacterial infections such as Haemophilus parasuis and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae can usually cause arthritis. Haemophilus parasuis disease, also known as Glasser's disease, mainly manifests as inflammation of the pleura, pericardium, abdominal cavity, joints and meninges. Systemic lymph nodes and abdominal organs can show general septicemic lesions. Arthritis is very obvious, with increased and discolored synovial fluid, and inflammation of the joint membrane connecting the joint cavity. Similar symptoms can also be seen with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.
The diagnosis of bacterial septicemia with arthritis manifestations is usually made based on postmortem necropsy lesions and isolation of the pathogen. Treatment must be carried out in the early stage of the disease, and penicillin or sulfonamides can be selected. Vaccination can also be considered for prevention.
V. Arthritis Associated with Tail Biting and Ear Biting
Bites on the tail or other parts such as the ears provide opportunities for pathogenic microorganisms to invade the blood. Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium pyogenes are the most common pathogens causing this kind of arthritis.
Controlling tail biting requires strengthened management, provision of a good environment, and supply of nutritionally balanced feed. The treatment of arthritis caused by tail biting is quite unsatisfactory.
In actual production, the problems encountered are often relatively complex and diagnostic means are relatively lacking, so it is necessary to understand the overall situation of the pig farm and accumulate considerable clinical experience, consider multiple factors in as much detail as possible during diagnosis, and then make an accurate judgment; when necessary, affected joints and other lesion materials can be sent for isolation and identification of pathogens. In actual treatment, the issue of combined medication should be considered, but arbitrary use of drugs must be resolutely prohibited, and drug sensitivity tests should be done when conditions permit. Comprehensive treatment measures should be adopted, hygiene and disinfection work should be effectively carried out, and daily feeding management should be strengthened, so as to effectively control arthritis on pig farms and truly improve the production efficiency of pig farming.
--------------------------------------
It is of guiding significance.
--------------------------------------
Very good, but more should be said about arthritis caused by Haemophilus parasuis; there are many infections at present and it is difficult to treat.
A rather troublesome problem in large-scale farms is the frequent occurrence of lameness in pigs, and arthritis is an important cause of pig lameness. This disease is caused by infection of the joints and surrounding tissues by bacteria or mycoplasma. It causes serious losses to pig farm production, manifested as slowed growth rate, reduced feed conversion rate, reduced reproductive performance of breeding pigs and reduced lactation capacity of sows, and in some cases may even cause death.
Other factors causing pig lameness include nutritional imbalance or nutritional deficiency, damage to the hooves and legs caused by trauma, and lameness caused by inappropriate structure and degenerative changes of bones and joints.
The author has been engaged in veterinary clinical work for many years. Combining the current actual situation of pig production in our region, the diagnosis and treatment of swine arthritis is summarized as follows, for discussion with pig farmers and veterinary colleagues, hoping to effectively control swine arthritis, reduce losses on pig farms, and improve the economic benefits of pig production.
I. Streptococcal Arthritis
Streptococcus can cause acute and chronic arthritis in pigs of all ages. It is most commonly seen in piglets and is considered part of the joint disease syndrome related to umbilical infection.
Relevant data show that most strains isolated from natural arthritis cases belong to group C Streptococcus (Streptococcus equisimilis), group L or group D (streptococcosis).
Streptococcal infection can occur in many situations. Streptococcus is very common in vaginal secretions, respiratory secretions and breast milk. Streptococcus can be isolated from the tonsils of clinically healthy piglets. Bacteria can infect through the umbilicus, damaged skin or hooves, and tonsils. Rough floors and bedding can wear away the skin on the legs of suckling or nursery piglets, and Streptococcus can easily infect through these wounds.
Arthritis caused by Streptococcus generally has a low incidence, usually below 5%. A small number of infected pigs may die, possibly from septicemia (pathogenic bacteria in the blood), or from diseases related to limited activity (such as starvation, being crushed, etc.).
Clinical symptoms: Acute streptococcal infection is characterized by fever, rough coat, depression and lameness. As the disease progresses, pigs become emaciated, and one or several infected joints become obviously swollen. The most common swelling sites are the knee, elbow and hock joints. The pain related to the disease and the resulting movement disorder limit the growth of sick pigs.
Infected pigs usually stop growing and carry chronic arthritis for life. The affected joints contain gradually increasing cloudy synovial fluid with fibrin clots; the joint membrane is swollen, discolored and red; the connective tissue capsule around the joint thickens and may contain very small abscesses. When arthritis becomes chronic, the articular cartilage can also be damaged. The epiphysis of bone growth also has lesions. Other symptoms related to systemic infection can be observed.
Diagnosis: Sudden lameness, joint swelling and fever in piglets aged 1-3 weeks may indicate streptococcal arthritis. The lesions of joints and bones are of diagnostic significance. After streptococcal infection, systemic lesions such as lymph node swelling, congestion, polyserositis, pneumonia or meningitis can appear along with arthritis. Streptococcus can be isolated from acutely inflamed joints by bacterial culture.
Prevention and treatment: Penicillin is recommended for treatment. The treatment effect is best in the early stage of the disease; if the inflammation becomes chronic, the treatment effect is very poor.
Vaccination can be used to prevent streptococcal arthritis. Vaccinating pregnant sows with streptococcal vaccine can provide passive protection to piglets through breast milk.
II. Swine Erysipelas Arthritis
Swine erysipelas can infect pigs of all ages. In chronic cases, it mainly manifests as arthritis, endocarditis or inflammation of the heart valves.
The pathogen is Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, whose virulence varies greatly. Some pig herds show no symptoms after infection; some herds may show mild symptoms after infection; it may also cause severe infection in some herds and lead to massive death.
Clinical symptoms: Pigs with chronic swine erysipelas arthritis have reduced appetite, general stiffness, lameness and reluctance to move. To relieve pain, they often shift their weight from one leg to another; the limbs may be tucked under the abdomen, showing an arched-back posture, unwilling to stand or completely unable to stand.
Chronic arthritis can affect one or more joints and affects pig movement to varying degrees. The affected joints may be obviously swollen and stiff; the synovial membrane is swollen and discolored, with connective tissue proliferation and inflammatory white blood cell infiltration; the lesions can spread to the ligaments and tendon sheaths around the joint. The synovial fluid increases and is red to brown; the cartilage at the bone ends of the joint may be severely eroded and necrotic. Bone proliferation at the joint margins causes the joint to be unable to bend. The lymph nodes at the affected joints are significantly swollen.
Diagnosis: Swine erysipelas arthritis can be confirmed by isolating bacteria from the joint, but this is relatively difficult. Severe chronic inflammation of the joint membrane and surrounding tissues and damage to bones and articular cartilage are of diagnostic significance. In pig herds with a history of acute swine erysipelas, if chronic arthritis occurs, it can almost be confirmed.
Prevention and treatment: Vaccination can prevent swine erysipelas. However, the preventive effect of immunization on chronic arthritis is not ideal.
Penicillin is recommended for treating acute swine erysipelas. If the acute stage is treated properly, chronic arthritis rarely occurs. For pigs that have already developed chronic arthritis, the treatment effect is poor. Corticosteroids can temporarily relieve the symptoms of arthritis, but cannot affect the final outcome of arthritis.
III. Mycoplasma Arthritis
Two kinds of mycoplasma can cause arthritis in pigs. Mycoplasma hyosynoviae can cause acute arthritis in pigs over 10 weeks of age, and Mycoplasma hyorhinis can cause acute and chronic polyserositis and arthritis in pigs aged 3-10 weeks, and can sometimes infect adult pigs. Both mycoplasmas can be isolated from the nasal cavity, throat and lungs of carrier pigs.
1. Mycoplasma hyosynoviae Arthritis
Arthritis caused by Mycoplasma hyosynoviae mainly occurs in pigs aged 12-24 weeks, and can also occur in young adult pigs. Pigs of any breed can be affected, but lean-type pigs and breeds with poor leg development seem more susceptible and have more severe symptoms. Joint degeneration disease (osteochondrosis) may be a very important predisposing factor for this disease. At present, it is generally believed that stress such as mixing groups, transportation or temperature changes are predisposing factors for this disease. It is often found that boars are prone to Mycoplasma hyosynoviae arthritis within 7-10 days after introduction into the herd.
Clinical symptoms: Mycoplasma hyosynoviae disease is characterized by sudden lameness in one or more legs. The severity and duration of lameness vary, usually lasting 10 days. Sometimes intense pain makes sick pigs afraid to walk on the infected leg. Infection of the hind limbs is characterized by lameness, frequent bending of the infected limb, weight shifting and posture changes. Sometimes the pig stands on the back of the hoof. Infection of the forelimbs is characterized by lameness, stiffness or kneeling below the fetlock. Infected pigs have difficulty standing, or cannot stand at all. Apart from hock joint infection, joint swelling is usually not seen. Pigs may have mild loss of appetite and slight increase in body temperature.
Acute Mycoplasma hyosynoviae arthritis leads to joint swelling filled with large amounts of turbid, yellow to brown fluid; the membrane around the joint thickens and is yellow to red; the membrane is granular or velvety; the tissues around the joint swell and the tendon sheaths become inflamed. The articular cartilage is usually normal.
Diagnosis: The age of infected pigs, sudden lameness and the nature of the lesions are the basis for preliminary diagnosis. Joint fluid can be sent to the laboratory for microbiological testing. Mycoplasma hyosynoviae can be isolated from about 50% of acutely infected joints. It is very difficult to isolate the pathogen from materials from chronic cases or from pigs treated with antibiotics.
Prevention and treatment: During the susceptible stage of pigs, operations that may cause stress should be reduced as much as possible. Breeding pigs should be selected with good leg structure and normal movement. Avoid buying breeding pigs from farms with severe arthritis.
At present, the most effective antibiotic against Mycoplasma hyosynoviae is tiamulin. Tylosin and lincomycin are also effective for treating Mycoplasma hyosynoviae infection. The treatment effect is ideal only in the acute stage of infection. Data show that administration through feed or drinking water can also effectively prevent or treat Mycoplasma hyosynoviae infection. The use of corticosteroids can relieve pain related to arthritis.
There is currently no vaccine for preventing Mycoplasma hyosynoviae arthritis.
2. Mycoplasma hyorhinis Arthritis
Mycoplasma hyorhinis is a common colonizing bacterium in the nasal cavity of pigs, and is also a common secondary infection bacterium causing swine pneumonia. Mycoplasma hyorhinis can sometimes cause inflammation of the serous membranes in the body cavities and arthritis in pigs.
Clinical symptoms: The initial symptoms of Mycoplasma hyorhinis infection are rough coat and varying degrees of depression. As the disease develops, obvious pain in the abdomen and chest can be observed. Pigs often lie on the abdomen, have reduced appetite and slightly increased body temperature. Some sick pigs show lameness and joint swelling. Arthritis usually lasts at least 6 months, leading to lameness and reduced flexibility. The clinical features of lameness vary depending on the severity of the disease and the joints involved. The amount of synovial fluid in the joint cavity increases and becomes discolored, and the joint membrane is swollen and yellow to red. The synovial fluid may contain fibrin clots.
Diagnosis: Arthritis accompanied by polyserositis (peritonitis, pleuritis and pericarditis) in pigs aged 3-10 weeks is very likely to be Mycoplasma hyorhinis infection. Mycoplasma can be isolated from the synovial fluid of joints with arthritis, and can also be isolated from body cavity exudates. Attention should be paid to distinguishing it from polyserositis and arthritis caused by Haemophilus parasuis.
Prevention and treatment: Stress responses and other diseases can make pigs more susceptible to Mycoplasma hyorhinis, so stress should be reduced and disease occurrence should be controlled.
There is no very effective treatment, and there is no effective vaccine for prevention. Mycoplasma pneumoniae vaccine cannot induce cross-protection against Mycoplasma hyorhinis.
IV. Arthritis Associated with Other Septicemic Infections
Systemic bacterial infections such as Haemophilus parasuis and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae can usually cause arthritis. Haemophilus parasuis disease, also known as Glasser's disease, mainly manifests as inflammation of the pleura, pericardium, abdominal cavity, joints and meninges. Systemic lymph nodes and abdominal organs can show general septicemic lesions. Arthritis is very obvious, with increased and discolored synovial fluid, and inflammation of the joint membrane connecting the joint cavity. Similar symptoms can also be seen with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.
The diagnosis of bacterial septicemia with arthritis manifestations is usually made based on postmortem necropsy lesions and isolation of the pathogen. Treatment must be carried out in the early stage of the disease, and penicillin or sulfonamides can be selected. Vaccination can also be considered for prevention.
V. Arthritis Associated with Tail Biting and Ear Biting
Bites on the tail or other parts such as the ears provide opportunities for pathogenic microorganisms to invade the blood. Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium pyogenes are the most common pathogens causing this kind of arthritis.
Controlling tail biting requires strengthened management, provision of a good environment, and supply of nutritionally balanced feed. The treatment of arthritis caused by tail biting is quite unsatisfactory.
In actual production, the problems encountered are often relatively complex and diagnostic means are relatively lacking, so it is necessary to understand the overall situation of the pig farm and accumulate considerable clinical experience, consider multiple factors in as much detail as possible during diagnosis, and then make an accurate judgment; when necessary, affected joints and other lesion materials can be sent for isolation and identification of pathogens. In actual treatment, the issue of combined medication should be considered, but arbitrary use of drugs must be resolutely prohibited, and drug sensitivity tests should be done when conditions permit. Comprehensive treatment measures should be adopted, hygiene and disinfection work should be effectively carried out, and daily feeding management should be strengthened, so as to effectively control arthritis on pig farms and truly improve the production efficiency of pig farming.
--------------------------------------
It is of guiding significance.
--------------------------------------
Very good, but more should be said about arthritis caused by Haemophilus parasuis; there are many infections at present and it is difficult to treat.