Symptoms and Prevention Methods of Piglet Edema Disease

Piglet edema disease is a disease that occurs in pig farms, generally affecting newly weaned piglets with sudden onset, edema of the head, face and eyelids, sometimes generalized edema that retains a mark when pressed with a finger, and in many cases the piglets die before treatment can be given. So how should piglet edema disease be prevented and treated? Let's take a look.

I. Causes of Piglet Edema Disease

1. Pathogen. The pathogen causing piglet edema disease is a neurological syndrome caused by a blood toxin produced by hemolytic Escherichia coli.

2. Improper rearing: When the pens where piglets are raised are dark, damp, poorly sanitized and incompletely disinfected, such an environment can very easily lead to edema disease in piglets.

3. Stress factors. Piglet edema disease may be caused by certain stress factors, especially weaning, climate change, abrupt feed changes, long-distance transport and vaccination; these stress reactions cause indigestion and diarrhea in piglets, leading to an imbalance of the normal intestinal flora, and hemolytic Escherichia coli multiplies in large numbers and produces toxins.

4. Digestive system. The digestive organs of piglets are not fully developed, and the small intestine and pancreas secrete few digestive enzymes, so they cannot completely digest and absorb the nutrients in the feed, especially protein; the undigested and unabsorbed protein becomes an excellent culture medium for hemolytic Escherichia coli, which produces large amounts of toxins and thus forms the disease-causing factor.

II. Symptoms of Piglet Edema Disease

The clinical symptoms of edema disease are commonly seen on the face, eyelids, conjunctiva and gums, and sometimes involve the subcutaneous tissue of the neck and abdomen, with edema appearing; the piglets' squeals are hoarse, with sudden onset, listlessness, and reduced appetite or refusal to eat. Body surface temperature shows no obvious change, and the piglets often stand unsteadily with trembling of all body muscles; some piglets show empty chewing, and the tongue protrudes from the mouth and cannot be retracted and is chewed damaged, finally leading to coma and death; the mortality rate of affected animals is extremely high, reaching about 90%.

III. Prevention and Control Measures

First, feeding management must be strengthened, ensuring that the pig house is dry, clean and well ventilated, and that pens and feeding utensils are disinfected regularly; at the same time, disinfectants should be changed in good time to prevent the pathogen from developing drug resistance. Immunization should be carried out well: 40 days and 15 days before the sow is due to farrow, inject 2 mL of the trivalent inactivated vaccine against piglet Escherichia coli K88, K99 and 987P intramuscularly, and piglets should be vaccinated at 14-20 days with 2 mL of the trivalent inactivated vaccine against Escherichia coli disease, which can significantly reduce the occurrence of edema disease. Piglets should be weaned at the proper time, with weaning at 35 days of age being suitable; at weaning, the number of feedings should be gradually reduced rather than weaning abruptly, the feed formula should be adjusted, and the mineral and vitamin contents should be increased. Ensure the feed is fresh and free of mold.

  The above is an introduction to the symptoms and prevention methods of piglet edema disease. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please follow us.