Swine Influenza Treatment and Care Essentials: A Prevention and Control Guide Every Pig Farmer Should Read

Swine influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by swine influenza virus. It mostly occurs in seasons with large temperature fluctuations and spreads quickly, often affecting many individuals within a pig herd in a short time. Sick pigs usually show fever, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, listlessness and reduced feed intake. With proper care, most can gradually recover, but growth will be affected, and secondary diseases may occur.

For treatment, there is currently no specific drug against the virus, so symptomatic treatment and strengthened care are the main approach. After diseased pigs are found, they should be isolated promptly, and the pens should be kept warm, dry and well ventilated, with sufficient clean drinking water and easily digestible feed provided. For pigs with fever and poor appetite, antipyretic and other drugs may be used under the guidance of a veterinarian to relieve symptoms; although antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, they can be used to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections, and they should likewise be used under medical advice, with attention paid to the withdrawal period.

Prevention is often more economical and effective than treatment. Pig farmers can, in light of local epidemic conditions, carry out immunization properly under the guidance of a veterinarian; persist with self-breeding and self-raising or introduce breeding stock from reliable sources, and isolate and observe newly purchased pigs for a period after they enter the farm; regularly disinfect pens and equipment, implement all-in/all-out, and reduce stress factors such as regrouping, transport and temperature differences, all of which help lower the risk of disease.

It should be noted that the early symptoms of swine influenza are similar to those of other pig respiratory diseases, and accurate diagnosis requires professional testing. If the herd develops disease rapidly, spreads quickly or shows abnormal deaths, contact a veterinarian or the local animal disease prevention and control department as soon as possible. Do not use drugs blindly or dispose of dead pigs at will, so as to avoid delaying prevention and control and causing greater losses.