Prevention Methods for Pig Urate Deposition Disease in Cold Weather

Pig urate deposition disease is a metabolic disease caused by pigs eating protein-rich concentrated feed, and it mostly occurs in winter and early spring.

Clinical symptoms mostly occur in nursing piglets and growing pigs that are physically strong, well developed, and have a vigorous appetite. The most acute form often shows no symptoms at all before sudden death. Most cases take an acute course, with sudden onset, reduced or lost appetite, and body temperature initially rising by about 0.5 degrees Celsius, then quickly returning to normal or falling below normal. Most affected pigs are lame in the hind legs, while some are lame in the front legs, gradually progressing to swollen joints, difficulty standing up and lying down and walking, loss of reflexes, poor appetite, gradual emaciation, rough coat, listlessness, and anemia. Pigs with milder lameness have a longer disease course.

For prevention, appropriately reduce the protein content in the feed and provide sufficient fresh green feed and drinking water. When green feed is lacking, vitamin AD3 and multivitamin additives can be supplemented. At the same time, let the pigs exercise fully.

For treatment, intravenously inject sulfonamide drugs and sodium bicarbonate, and at the same time intramuscularly inject vitamin drugs such as vitamin A, vitamin B12, and vitamin B1. Adopting comprehensive supportive therapy such as cardiac stimulation and fluid supplementation produces better results.