Counting the cost of mixed infections in pig herds

Vets believe mixed intestinal and respiratory diseases pose serious problems to infected pig herds causing severe financial costs to the industry, acccording to an animal health survey.

The study by Novartis Animal Health, Switzerland, highlighted problems with mixed infections in infected pig groups.

Jill Thompson of SAC Vet Services, Edinburgh, says keeping pig herds healthy leads to financial savings. Vets are aware of the impact of mixed infections in swine health. It is vital to stem this increasing problem and return infected pigs to full health, minimising the financial impact on individual producers and the whole industry.

Results of the survey show 63% of vets predict that mixed respiratory and enteric viruses cause problems to individually infected pig herds, while more than half believe mixed infections threaten the entire pig industry.

Despite the availability of infection-fighting drugs, Novartis says 68% of vets regularly see symptoms of mixed enteric and respiratory infections in pigs, with levels increasing.