Case Analysis and Summary of Chronic Swine Erysipelas

I. Cause

The pathogen is Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (swine erysipelas bacillus), which exists in all organs of diseased pigs and in the tonsils, intestines and bile of carrier pigs. Because the secretions and excretions of diseased pigs contaminate the environment, it becomes an endemic disease.

II. Case

Feng's pig weighed about 90 jin and had been ill for several days when it was brought in for diagnosis and treatment; its body temperature measured 39.5-40 degrees C. The symptoms were generally a normal or slightly elevated body temperature; some pigs had swollen arthritis of the limbs and limped when walking; some often developed endocarditis, cardiac weakness, rapid breathing and coughing; some developed skin necrosis, with the ears and abdomen appearing purplish-blue, and sometimes diarrhea occurred.

III. Preventive Management

Inject swine erysipelas vaccine promptly every year in spring and autumn.

IV. Treatment Methods

Use the toad venom ear-pressing method (same as Case 1 of swine fever) together with combined treatment using Chinese and Western medicines.

1. Prescription

Western medicine injections: penicillin 800,000 units, 7 vials; compound aminopyrine injection 15 ml; analgin injection 10 ml; dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection 8 ml.

Chinese herbal injections: Qingre Jiedu injection 10 ml; Chaihu (bupleurum) injection 10 ml.

Mix the Chinese and Western medicines together and inject intramuscularly once a day for 5-6 consecutive days until cured.

2. Acupuncture

Main acupoints: Renzhong, Erjian, Weijian and Ticha; insert until blood appears.

Supplementary acupoints: Chengjiang, Yongquan, Dishui and Tianmen.