Major Respiratory & Intestinal Diseases in Pigs

By Miltos Ioannou, Veterinarian

The health of pigs is the key to profitable farming. Respiratory and intestinal diseases can cause severe economic losses, as they spread rapidly, especially under conditions of poor ventilation or lack of biosecurity.

Below is a detailed presentation of the main diseases: how they spread, their clinical signs, and recommended prevention and treatment practices.

A. Respiratory Diseases

1. Mycoplasma Pneumonia (Enzootic Pneumonia)

• Epidemiology: Caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Spread mainly through the air, especially in overcrowded or poorly ventilated conditions.

• Symptoms: Chronic dry cough, slow growth, low feed efficiency, susceptibility to other infections.

• Prevention: Early vaccination, improved ventilation, all-in/all-out management system.

• Treatment: Tylosin, Tiamulin, Tilmicosin, Tetracyclines, Lincomycin, Florfenicol.

2. Actinobacillus Pleuropneumonia (APP)

• Epidemiology: Spread through direct contact or airborne droplets.

• Symptoms: Sudden deaths, high fever, severe breathing difficulties, bloody nasal discharge.

• Prevention: Vaccination, good biosecurity, stress reduction.

• Treatment: Ceftiofur, Florfenicol, Tiamulin, Tulathromycin, Oxytetracycline.

  
  

3. Swine Influenza

• Epidemiology: Viral disease spread through the air or from infected animals.

• Symptoms: Sudden fever, dry cough, nasal discharge, loss of appetite, lethargy.

• Prevention: Vaccination, quarantine of new animals, limiting visitors.

• Treatment: Supportive care (fluids, warmth, anti-inflammatories). No antibiotics, as it is viral.

  
  

4. Pasteurellosis (Pasteurella multocida)

• Epidemiology: Usually secondary after mycoplasma or influenza. Spread via direct contact or droplets.

• Symptoms: Fever, cough, breathing difficulties, lung damage.

• Prevention: Stress reduction, control of primary infections.

• Treatment: Ceftiofur, Amoxicillin, Florfenicol, Tilmicosin, Tulathromycin, Oxytetracycline.

  
  

5. Atrophic Rhinitis

• Epidemiology: Spread via direct contact or carriers (equipment, people).

• Symptoms: Sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes, snout deformity, delayed growth.

• Prevention: Vaccination of sows and piglets, good ventilation, all-in/all-out system.

• Treatment: Ceftiofur, Tiamulin, Tylosin, Florfenicol, Tilmicosin, Tulathromycin, Lincomycin-Spectinomycin.

B. Intestinal Diseases

1. Neonatal Diarrhea (E. coli)

• Epidemiology: Spread through contaminated pens, sows, or milk.

• Symptoms: Watery yellow diarrhea, dehydration, weakness, high mortality in piglets.

• Prevention: Vaccination of sows, cleanliness, warm and dry pens.

• Treatment: Trimethoprim-Sulfa, Paromomycin, Colistin, Lincomycin-Spectinomycin, Amoxicillin + rehydration, probiotics.

  
  

2. Clostridial Diarrhea

• Epidemiology: Infection at birth from contaminated environment.

• Symptoms: Bloody diarrhea, sudden deaths.

• Prevention: Vaccination of sows before farrowing, strict hygiene.

• Treatment: Amoxicillin, Cephalosporins.

  
  

3. Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED)

• Epidemiology: Viral disease spread via contaminated manure or equipment.

• Symptoms: Watery diarrhea, vomiting, high mortality in newborn piglets.

• Prevention: Vaccination, biosecurity, limiting visitors.

• Treatment: Supportive care (fluids, electrolytes, warmth).

  
  

4. Rotavirus Diarrhea

• Epidemiology: Spread through contaminated pens.

• Symptoms: White to yellow diarrhea, dehydration, delayed growth.

• Prevention: Vaccination of sows, cleanliness, stress reduction.

• Treatment: Supportive care (fluids, nutrition).

  
  

5. Coccidiosis

• Epidemiology: Caused by oocysts in contaminated manure.

• Symptoms: Bloody diarrhea, poor weight gain.

• Prevention & Treatment: Cleanliness, Toltrazuril or Amprolium, good biosecurity.

  
  

6. Salmonellosis

• Epidemiology: Spread via contaminated feed, water, rodents, or new animals.

• Symptoms: Diarrhea, fever, septicemia, weight loss.

• Prevention: Clean feed, biosecurity, vaccination if needed.

• Treatment: Florfenicol, Trimethoprim-Sulfa, Lincomycin-Spectinomycin, Ceftiofur.

  
  

7. Swine Dysentery

• Epidemiology: Spread via manure, rodents, contaminated equipment.

• Symptoms: Bloody diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, delayed growth.

• Prevention: Strict hygiene, closed herds, rodent control.

• Treatment: Tiamulin, Lincomycin, Tylosin via drinking water.

  
  

8. Proliferative Enteropathy (Ileitis)

• Epidemiology: Spread via contaminated manure, equipment, footwear.

• Symptoms: Diarrhea, poor growth, sudden deaths with bloody diarrhea.

• Prevention: Vaccination, good hygiene, stress reduction.

• Treatment: Tylosin, Tiamulin, Oxytetracycline, Lincomycin.

  
  

Conclusion

Prevention through vaccination, strict biosecurity, hygiene, and proper nutrition is the most effective strategy for healthy pigs and profitable farming.Treatment should always be carried out under veterinary guidance with responsible antibiotic use.