What to Do About Pig Bloat? Introduction to Effective Prevention and Treatment Methods

Pig farmers encounter many kinds of problems during the breeding process, and poor management can cause pigs to develop various diseases, such as heatstroke, foot rot, and so on. Among these, gastric bloat is the most common problem in pig farming. This disease is generally acute, and the mortality rate after onset is also relatively high. If not treated in time, the pig will die within a few hours. Although the incidence rate within a herd is not high, the losses caused to pig farmers should not be underestimated. So what causes gastric bloat? How should it be prevented and treated? Let's take a look together.

1. Symptoms of Onset

During the onset period, gastric bloat mostly shows no symptoms. When a pig develops gastric bloat, you will find that the pig's belly expands rapidly at a rate visible to the naked eye, accompanied by painful howling. The pig refuses to eat and has loud, rapid breathing, and there may also be an increase in body temperature. A few affected pigs will eat normally, but die the next morning, with a stiff body, a distended belly, and white foam beside the mouth and nose. This has an enormous impact on the economic interests of pig farmers.

2. Causes of Onset

(1) Improper Feeding

The primary cause may be moldy feed, because pig feed is very prone to molding when stored improperly, especially in hot and humid summer weather. When pigs eat moldy feed, the mold grows and reproduces rapidly in the intestinal tract, producing large amounts of harmful gases that the pig cannot expel, which rapidly expand in the pig's stomach, squeezing the blood vessels and internal organs so that blood cannot circulate. This causes insufficient oxygen supply, and the brain becomes oxygen-deprived, ultimately leading to death by suffocation when the pig can no longer breathe.

(2) Constipation

If pigs are fed too much green, watery feed and the herd is not allowed to exercise, the pigs may develop heat-related diseases, reduce their feed intake, and become constipated. Too much waste matter in the stomach that is not expelled in time triggers bloating. Sows in particular are more prone to gastric bloat due to constipation. However, as long as the pig's bowels are successfully moved, it can be treated very well.

(3) Disease

Some gas-producing fungi such as Clostridium welchii and yeast can also cause acute gastric bloat in pigs and lead to death. However, cases caused by this reason are relatively rare, and generally occur in breeding pigs and fattening pigs.

3. Prevention and Treatment Measures

(1) Stopping Fermentation and Relieving Gas

If mild bloating is found, ichthammol can be dissolved in alcohol and administered to the sick pig by drenching once to eliminate the gas in the stomach. Paraffin oil mixed with warm water can also be given by drenching once. If it is a piglet, the dosage should be appropriately reduced.

(2) Manual Gas Release

Insert a stomach tube into the pig's stomach until gas begins to be expelled, then stop inserting further and begin slowly releasing the gas. During release, you can see the abdomen gradually shrink, like a balloon deflating. After the gas is released, pour a little potassium permanganate into the stomach to promote the discharge of waste matter in the stomach. A needle can also be used to release gas at a position between the ribs, which is suitable for severe cases of bloating.

(3) Medication Treatment

If the gastric bloat is caused by gas-producing bacteria such as Clostridium welchii and yeast, drugs such as metronidazole can be used for treatment, which can also prevent acidosis in the stomach.

The above is a brief introduction to gastric bloat. In ordinary management, feeding work should be done well; moldy feed must not be fed; leftover food in the trough should be cleaned up in time to prevent spoilage; and disinfection of the pig house should be done well, with regular disinfection of the pig house and drugs such as metronidazole used to prevent the disease in sick pigs. In order to reduce the incidence of gastric bloat, daily preventive measures must be carried out well.