The threat of Swine Respiratory Disease (SRD) and its control in UK pig herds has been highlighted by Merial Animal Health.
The company used its presence at the 24th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress (IPVS) in Dublin to discuss the 'significant problem' it has for UK pig industry.
Associated production losses include 30-70% morbidity, a mortality rate of 4-6% (and even higher in severely affected units), decreased feed efficiency and reduced growth rates.
Findlay MacBean, Merial’s Head of Livestock Business explained that efficient and effective control of SRD requires fast action from herdsmen and vets.
He said: "Normally an antibiotic treatment will be required to control SRD, prescribed by the pig unit’s veterinary surgeon.
'Sudden death'
SRD-causing bacteria can affect pigs of any age, but growing pigs are the most affected and experience the biggest production loss.
Infections of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) can cause sudden death, and if not treated immediately can cause severe lung damage and mortality.
Haemophilus parasuis (Hps) bacteria can cause lung damage, and outbreaks in young pigs can lead to rapid and high mortality rates.
While Pasteurella multocida (Pm) is often a secondary bacterial infection, usually found in association with App, Hps and viral infections, it causes loss of condition and reduced growth rates.
Merial Animal Health said preventing SRD is complex, but farmers can help do so by reducing the level of aerial pollutants, use of strict on-farm hygiene, single sourcing of piglets and attention to biosecurity.
Vaccination may be useful, particularly on breeder-feeder farms where there is a continuous flow of piglets reaching an age where maternally-derived immunity is lost and they become susceptible to disease, allowing disease to perpetuate within the herd.
Returning pigs that have suffered with SRD to the main herd is often ill-advised.
Sick pigs are often chronically affected and can act as a source of infection.
