What are the common diseases of miniature pigs? Detailed explanation of prevention and treatment methods

Miniature pigs in China generally belong to relatively old local extensive-type breeds, with characteristics such as strong adaptability, tolerance to coarse feed, and strong stress resistance. As long as vaccines are injected regularly and feeding management is strengthened, the occurrence of infectious diseases can be avoided.

Prevention of common infectious diseases

There are no longer many common infectious diseases in China, and most have been brought under control, with only occasional outbreaks and epidemics, which are generally handled by culling. Since the economic value of treatment is not great, preventing the occurrence of diseases is one of the three key links in doing a good job in miniature pig breeding production. Doing a good job in the immunization of several common infectious diseases in the pig herd is an effective and important measure to prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases.

Swine fever immunization

China currently uses attenuated swine fever vaccine for vaccination. In areas where swine fever is not epidemic, immunization once at 60 days of age after birth or for piglets is sufficient. If there is an epidemic nearby, it is best to immunize twice: the first time at 20 to 30 days of age; the second time around 60 days of age. For adult pigs, immunize once each in spring and autumn every year, with 1 milliliter injected intramuscularly or subcutaneously each time regardless of the size of the pig. In addition, the super-early immunization method can be used: before the piglet has eaten colostrum after birth, first inject one dose of swine fever vaccine, and then let it eat colostrum 1 hour later. The preventive effect is very good. During operation, pay attention to the vaccine validity period, manufacturer, production date, etc. The vaccine should be diluted on the same day and used up on the same day, and the injection dose must be accurate, otherwise the expected effect cannot be achieved.

Immunization against swine erysipelas and swine pasteurellosis

The immunization methods for swine erysipelas and swine pasteurellosis are roughly the same as those for swine immunization. The difference is that swine erysipelas and swine pasteurellosis must be diluted with aluminum gel saline diluent, and the diluent should be shaken and mixed well before being drawn into the syringe.

Prevention of piglet red dysentery and white dysentery

Injecting pregnant sows with red dysentery and white dysentery vaccines can prevent piglet red dysentery and piglet white dysentery. First-pregnancy pregnant sows are injected intramuscularly 2 times and 1 time respectively: that is, the red dysentery vaccine is injected once each at 45 days and 15 days before the expected farrowing date, and the yellow dysentery vaccine is injected only once at 15 days before the expected farrowing date. Multiparous pregnant sows only need to be injected once with each of the two vaccines before the expected farrowing date.

Immunization against piglet paratyphoid

Healthy piglets over 1 month of age are given 1 preventive inoculation with attenuated piglet paratyphoid vaccine. In places where the disease commonly occurs, it can be given 2 times, that is, once before and once after weaning, with an interval of 3 to 4 weeks. Intramuscular injection is generally used, that is, diluted with 20% aluminum hydroxide gel suspension to 1 milliliter per dose, and injected into the shallow muscles behind the ear. The diluted vaccine should be shaken well at any time and used up within 4 hours.

Prevention and treatment of parasitic diseases The common parasitic diseases mainly include mange, ascariasis, and cysticercosis. These diseases are common in rural areas; although they are not as fierce and harmful as infectious diseases, infection with these diseases also has a considerable impact on producers' benefits. Therefore, emphasis should be placed on prevention first.

(1) Newly introduced pigs should be carefully examined and can only be raised together when confirmed to be disease-free. Equipment used by diseased pigs must not be brought into healthy pig houses for use without disinfection.

(2) Pig houses should always be kept dry, bedding straw should be changed frequently in winter, and diseased pigs should be thoroughly treated in a timely manner. Generally, pituxianling is injected, but the dose should be strictly controlled; for miniature pigs it is 1/2 of the dosage for large pigs. In addition, apply 1% to 2% trichlorfon to the affected area, once every 3 to 5 days, for 2 to 3 consecutive treatments. After 2 weeks there will be obvious effects. If it is not thorough, a second course of treatment can still be carried out.

(3) Pig ascariasis is a common parasitic nematode disease caused by Ascaris suum parasitizing in the pig's small intestine. It mainly affects pig growth, fattening, and feed utilization efficiency, and in severe cases makes piglets susceptible to respiratory infectious diseases such as influenza, and even more severely causes piglet illness and death. Farmers raising miniature pigs need to deworm twice a year, and the feces discharged within 3 to 5 days after administration should be collected for fermentation treatment. Trichlorfon is mixed into wet feed at 0.08 grams to 1.0 gram per kilogram of body weight and fed on an empty stomach, and the effect is very significant. If taken in excess, pigs may have side effects such as salivation, vomiting, restlessness, and muscle trembling, but they can recover before long. If poisoning occurs accidentally, immediate subcutaneous injection of 2 milligrams to 5 milligrams of atropine sulfate can rescue them. In addition, injection of a 5% solution of deworming net (tetramisole) per kilogram of body weight also has a relatively good effect.

Commonly used drugs

Sulfonamides

They generally have characteristics such as a broad antibacterial range and strong stability of efficacy. They are mainly used to treat digestive tract infections, such as sulfaguanidine (SG) for enteritis and white dysentery, with an oral dose of 0.1 grams to 0.6 grams per kilogram of body weight, taken twice a day. For treating trauma or surgical wounds, sulfonamides can be used externally, and they are a relatively good antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent.

Nitrofuran drugs

For example, Kanglisan has a strong antibacterial effect and is used for bacillary dysentery and diarrhea. The dosage should be taken according to medical advice

Antibiotics (also called antibacterial agents)

These include penicillin, streptomycin, kanamycin, gentamicin, and broad-spectrum antibiotics, etc. They can inhibit microbial growth and prevent and treat many pig diseases caused by molds, bacteria, and so on.

(1) Penicillin is commonly available in 800,000-unit and 1,600,000-unit bottles, and can be diluted with distilled water, normal saline, or glucose solution, etc. It is used to treat bronchitis, pneumonia, cold with fever, or respiratory infections, etc. Usage: piglets and young pigs generally 200,000 units to 500,000 units, adult pigs 500,000 units to 1,000,000 units, and injected with an equal dose of streptomycin, twice a day. Note: it cannot be dissolved or mixed for injection with sulfonamide injections.

(2) Streptomycin is effective against Gram-negative bacteria and is mainly used to treat white dysentery in young livestock, paratyphoid, Pasteurella, etc. It is often used together with penicillin, and the usage and dosage are the same as penicillin.

(3) Kanamycin is mainly used for septicemia, urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, etc. caused by Gram-negative bacteria, and has a relatively good effect on panting disease. Intramuscular injection once a day, generally 5 days as one course of treatment, and the dosage should follow medical advice.

(4) Gentamicin is mainly used to treat piglet paratyphoid, piglet white dysentery, etc. It is generally injected intramuscularly, with a dose of 1 milliliter to 2 milliliters per kilogram of body weight.

Stomachic and astringent drugs

The main products include pepsin and rhubarb powder, used for gastroenteritis, indigestion, etc., with oral administration determined according to the situation. Tannalbin, chloramphenicol, etc. have an astringent and antidiarrheal effect and are used to treat chronic enteritis, diarrhea, etc.

Deworming drugs and insecticidal drugs

Deworming net, trichlorfon, etc. have relatively good effects on deworming and insect killing. For diseases such as mange mites, the external concentration is 1% to 2%. Rub and wash the affected area with trichlorfon, and rub and wash a second time after 2 weeks, with an obvious therapeutic effect.

Commonly used disinfectants

(1) 5% lysol, peracetic acid, or sodium hydroxide have strong disinfecting power but are corrosive. Usually a 2% to 5% aqueous solution is prepared and sprayed, used for pen disinfection, foot-and-mouth disease, and other infectious diseases.

(2) 100% to 20% lime milk, 3% to 5% aqueous carbolic acid, 1% to 20% aqueous bleaching powder, used for disinfection of pig houses, sites, manure ditches, transport vehicles, etc.

(3) 0.1% potassium permanganate aqueous solution, 0.05% to 0.1% benzalkonium bromide, 1% to 5% lysol aqueous solution, 0.1% to 0.5% peracetic acid, used for disinfection of pig houses, the environment, instruments, or wounds, injuries, and body surfaces, etc.