Piglet edema disease is a serious health issue affecting weaned piglets, significantly impacting their growth and overall productivity. This condition is primarily caused by hemolytic E. coli bacteria, which produce various toxins such as edema toxin, enterotoxin, and endotoxin. These toxins, along with immune responses involving specific antibodies and antigens, can lead to severe swelling in different parts of the body, especially in the brain and nervous system.
The disease often occurs due to stress from weaning, which disrupts the piglets’ immunity and makes them more susceptible to infections. Other contributing factors include abrupt changes in feed composition, lack of essential nutrients like vitamin B, vitamin C, and selenium, as well as imbalances in protein, sugar, and fat levels. Environmental conditions such as damp, dark, and unclean housing, poor hygiene, and sudden weather changes also increase the risk of infection. Additionally, certain breeds, particularly purebreds and crossbreeds, are more prone to this disease than local breeds.
Clinically, affected piglets may show symptoms such as depression, loss of appetite, and abnormal gait. Some may experience neurological signs like muscle tremors, difficulty walking, or even sudden aggression and seizures. Swelling of the face, eyelids, and tongue is also common. Post-mortem findings typically reveal edema in the subcutaneous tissue, gastrointestinal tract, heart, and other organs, along with fluid accumulation in the chest and abdominal cavities.
Preventive measures are crucial in managing this disease. It is important to avoid introducing new pigs that might carry pathogens. Vaccination with locally adapted vaccines at 14 days of age can help build immunity. Lactating sows should be fed balanced diets to ensure high-quality milk for the piglets. Early weaning should be done gradually, reducing the sow’s feed intake while increasing the piglets’ food intake slowly. Weaning should be scheduled early in the morning to reduce stress on both sows and piglets.
After weaning, piglets should be fed small, frequent meals to prevent overeating. The environment must remain clean, dry, and well-ventilated, with regular disinfection using products like Weikang and Nongfu. Feed should be nutritionally complete and not changed abruptly. Antibiotics or probiotics can be added to the diet to support gut health. If an outbreak occurs, antibiotics should be administered for 7–10 days, and feed should be adjusted to lower energy and protein content temporarily.
For treatment, intravenous or intramuscular injections of glucose, vitamin C, and dexamethasone can help reduce inflammation and support recovery. Oral administration of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) may aid in relieving gastrointestinal discomfort. In cases of central nervous system involvement, central stimulants may be used to improve alertness and coordination. Prompt and effective intervention is key to minimizing losses and improving survival rates.
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