Effects of oral vaccination against Lawsonia intracellularis on growing-finishing pig's performance in a pig production unit with endemic porcine proliferative enteropathy (PPE)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of oral vaccination against Lawsonia intracellularis (LI) on growing-finishing pig's performance. In a large Hungarian growing-finishing pig production unit, pigs with positive LI status were randomly divided into 2 groups and treated as follows: Group one: growing pigs (n = 4112) were LI vaccinated with an avirulent oral live vaccine (Enterisol Ileitis Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., St. Joseph, USA). Group two: growing pigs (n = 4188 pigs) have not received LI vaccination. Culling and mortality rates, reasons for culling or mortality, and average daily weight gain were evaluated. Porcine proliferative enteropathy (PPE) caused culling and mortality rates were lower (0.2 % vs. 14.9 %, P < 0.001), and vaccinated pigs had lower none-PPE caused culling and mortality rates compared with the non-vaccinated ones (1.4 vs. 2.6 %, P > 0.05). While systemic infections and social stress or cannibalism related culling or mortality were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in vaccinated than in non-vaccinated pigs, reasons for culling or mortality due to non-LI caused diseases were non-significantly different between the vaccinated and non-vaccinated pigs. Average daily weight gain was higher (P < 0.05) in the LI vaccinated group of animals compared with the non-vaccinated ones (780 +/- 45 g vs. 660 +/- 71 g). The present results indicate that that LI vaccination does not only prevent PPE, but might result in more resistance and tolerance against other infectious and management caused losses.     

Case Study: Chronic Erysipelas of the Sow – a Subclinical Manifestation of Reproductive Problems

Systemic infections with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae are usually associated with skin lesions, vegetative endocarditis and arthritis, but they can also cause reproductive symptoms such as abortion, increased stillbirths, and smaller litter size. In a large Hungarian breeding unit that had ceased to vaccinate the sows against erysipelas, an increased incidence of pre- and post-partal vulval discharge, increased weaning-to-oestrus intervals, decreased farrowing rates, and reductions in total number of pigets born and live-born litter size were reported. Anterior vaginal swabs were obtained from 64 sows shortly before parturition and they all yielded heavy growths of E. rhusiopathiae . A vaccination programme with a killed vaccine was reinstated and subsequently the incidence of vulval discharge and weaning-to-oestrus intervals were decreased and total born and live-born litter size were increased. In the absence of a control group definitive conclusions can not be made regarding the effect of vaccination against E. rhusiopathiae on sow fertility. However, it is not unreasonable to suggest that the aetiology of the reduced sow fertility in the present herd did involve E. rhusiopathiae and that appropriate vaccinations subsequently protected the sows from the disease.     

The solution of claw problems in swine breeding

In a breeding unit the influence of weekly hoof care on the rate of hoof lesions was examined during a period of 3 years. The 60 pigs were divided into four groups: Group 1, 13 pigs: A washing down of the hooves with lukewarm water. Group 2, 15 pigs: Lukewarm 1% formaldehyde foot bath once a week. Group 3, 13 pigs: A washing down of the hooves with lukewarm water and, 30 minutes later, application of hoof fat (5-8 minutes work during the feeding). Group 4, 14 pigs: Control group without treatment. The incidence of hoof cracks and sole erosions was significantly less in group 3 compared to the other groups. There was a negative correlation between the elasticity of the hoof and hoof cracks as well as between the softness of the sole and sole erosions. Thus moistening of the claw with subsequent application of hoof fat seems to be an effective prevention of factorial claw lesions.     

The therapy of the metritis, mastitis, agalactia (MMA) complex of swine]

In a pig breeding unit that during years had been infected with MMA Complex the sick sows were divided into three groups: Group 1 The sows received 50 mg per kg bodyweight Ampicillin Trihydrate in one dose per day for three days i.m. Group 2 The sows received 50 mg per kg bodyweight Ampicillin Trihydrate in one dose per day for three days in form of intrauterine infusion with 200 ml of sterile saline solution. Group 3 The sows received 300 mg per kg bodyweight Ampicillin Trihydrate in one dose per day for three days in form of intrauterine infusion with 200 ml of sterile saline solution. The number of dead piglets until the tenth day of life was recorded. Group 2 and 3 showed significantly lower death rates of piglets as compared to group 1. Group 3 showed better results as compared to group 2.     

The effect of intravaginal applied gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on different oestrous parameters and reproductive performance in post weaned sows

In a Hungarian large breeding unit, 481 weaned sows were assigned to three groups and were treated as follows. Sows in Group 1 (Control, n=161) were artificially inseminated (3.01 +/- 0.4 times) during their standing reflex; sows in Group 2 (n=160) were artificially inseminated 3 times at 12-hour intervals, independent of detection of oestrus and immediately after administration of a GnRH-agonist at 96 hours postweaning; and sows in Group 3 (n=160) were artificially inseminated 3 times at 12-hour intervals, beginning at their standing reflex after administration of a GnRH-agonist. Pre-trial daily average lactational feed intake, average daily feed intake from weaning to oestrus, oestrus within 6 days of weaning (%), ovulation within 6 days of weaning (%), wean-to-oestrus interval (h), duration of oestrus (h), follicle size (mm), interval from oestrus to ovulation (h), subsequent day 24 pregnancy rate (%), farrowing rate (%) and total number of pigs born were evaluated. Pre-trial average daily voluntary lactational feed intake was 7.1 +/- 0.5 kg in Group 1, 7.2 +/- 0.4 kg in Group 2, and 7.3 +/- 0.7 kg in Group 3 (P > 0.05). Average voluntary daily feed intake from weaning-to-oestrus was 4.3 +/- 0.9 kg in Group 1, 4.2 +/- 0.8 kg in Group 2, and 4.1 +/- 0.5 kg in Group 3 (P > 0.05). Oestrus was detected within 6 days of weaning in 143 (88.8%) sows in Group 1, 143 (89.4%) sows in Group 2, and in 142 (88.8%) sows in Group 3. Follicle size did not differ (P > 0.05) among the groups. In Group 1, 83.2%, in Group 2, 90.6%, and in Group 3,91.3% of the sows ovulated within 6 days of weaning (P < 0.05), but there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in 24 Day pregnancy rates (81.4%; 91.3%; and 92.5%). Farrowing rates were in Group 1, 84.5%, in Group 2, 91.3%, in Group 3, 91.9% (P > 0.05). Wean-to-oestrus interval was 115.5 h in Group 1, 114.9 h in Group 2, and 115.7 h in Group 3 (P > 0.05). Duration of oestrus was significantly shorter in Group 2 (41.9 h) and Group 3 (42.1 h) than in Group 1 (68.3 h) (P < 0.001). Similarly, the interval from oestrus to ovulation was significantly different (P < 0.01) between the groups (Group 1, 49.0 h Group 2, 32.0 h, and Group 3, 31.1 h). Sows in Group 2 (12.7) and Group 3 (12.6) had a significantly higher (P < 0.01) number of pigs born than sows in Group 1 (n = 10.9). The interval between oestrus and ovulation was highly and positively correlated (r = 0.83) with the duration of oestrus.     

Maladaptive behavioural patterns of early weaned, indoor raised pigs

The objective of the present study was to investigate the growth rate and maladaptive behaviour of early (day 14 of lactation) or late (day 28 of lactation) weaned pigs of either sex kept under different light intensities. Maladaptive behaviour was diagnosed when piglets were kept under a high light intensity but not when kept under a low light intensity. The time, spent engaged in maladaptive behaviour was not higher for barrows than for gilts. Lesions on 'recipient' animals were more severe in larger pigs with a greater rate of weight gain than in smaller ones. 'Perpetrator' pigs grew more slowly during the 46 days after weaning (P = 0.0013) than the non-preparator-pigs. 'Recipient' animals were significantly heavier and had higher rates of weight gain (P = 0.0003) than the 'perpetrator' pigs.     

Seasonal infertility in large pig production units in an Eastern-European climate

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the occurrence of seasonal infertility of sows in large production units in Eastern Europe. DESIGN: Weaners in this trial originated from a 1000 sow Croatian herd that weaned piglets at 14 or 28 days of age. The production records of 15 indoor (795 to 1849 sows per herd) pig farms with identical feeding, similar genetics and health status, were evaluated. The reproductive performance of sows when the average daily (9 am to 4 pm) temperature was more than 35 degrees C, was compared with the weeks when it was lower than 30 degrees C. RESULTS: During periods of high temperature (> 35 degrees C) sows had significantly (P < or = 0.05) longer weaning to service intervals and more regular returns to service (P < or = 0.05) compared to weeks of less than 30 degrees C daily temperature in the same summer season. Irregular returns to service were low and showed no significant differences during the same time periods. Farrowing rates and total litter sizes were lower (P < or = 0.05) for periods of higher than 35 degrees C daily temperature compared to weeks of less than 30 degrees C daily temperature in the same summer season. CONCLUSION: When daily temperatures are higher than 35 degrees C, reproductive performance is likely to be depressed in large pig production units.     

Reproductive performance of gilts following an outbreak of acute proliferative enteropathy due to Lawsonia intracellularis

After a sudden outbreak of clinical porcine proliferative enteropathy (PPE) in a Croatian indoor breeding unit, the farm experienced decreased reproductive performance of Lawsonia intracellularis positive gilts. Conception-, farrowing-, and adjusted farrowing rates were lower (P<0.001) in gilts with positive L. intracellularis status. The number of live born and the total born litter size were significantly lower (P<0.001) in L. intracellularis positive gilts compared to seronegative ones. No differences were observed in numbers of stillborn and mummified pigs between the L. intracellularis positive and negative gilts.     

Concurrent pathological and bacteriological findings in the urogenital organs and mammary glands of sows culled because of chronic vulvovaginal discharge and swine urogenital disease (SUGD): a case study

The urogenital organs and mammary glands of sows, culled because of excessive vulval discharge, milking problems, and urogenital infections (swine urogenital disease, SUGD) in their history (n=1070 sows) were examined. The culled sows were assigned to three groups according to parity: parity 1 (n=356); 2-6 (n=354); and >6 (n=360). Necropsy findings associated with these groups were analysed separately. Bacteriological examination of vulval discharges was performed. Escherichia coli and a large number of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms were found in all samples of vulval discharge. Except ovarian degeneration and oedematous endometrium, older sows had more (P<0.05) pathological changes in the oviduct, ovaries, and uteri than younger (parity 1) sows. More (P<0.05) parity 1 sows had hyperaemic and congested vaginal walls and haemorrhages into the vaginal lumen than sows of higher parity, which suffered more (P<0.05) from accumulation of purulent material in the vaginal lumen, fibrinopurulent exudate adherent to the wall of the vagina, multifocal vaginal erosions and ulcerations, and purulent, mucopurulent or purulohaemorrhagic exudate in the vagina or on the cervix. Except acute pyelonephritis, mucosal hyperaemia, and congestion of the urinary bladder, more (P<0.05) sows of higher parity had pathological changes in their urinary organs. More (P<0.05) parity 1 sows had acute or chronic purulent exudative mastitis than sows of higher parity, which had more (P<0.05) mammary gland abscessation, mammary gland cysts, and fibrous mastitis. All parity 2-6 and >6 sows had mammary gland and bladder changes, parity >6 sows had changes in the kidney, and renal pelvis, and parity 1 sows had mammary gland changes. Most parity 1 sows had bladder, kidney, and renal pelvis alterations and most parity 2-6 animals had pathological kidney and renal pelvis changes.