Articles - Pig health

Can it be useful? How?

PCR can detect the virus in virtually any material but, does it mean the sample contains the virus and it is infectious? Is any PCR test valid for any strain?

Influenza researchers are trying to stimulate antibody responses towards parts of the HA that are the least variable from strain to strain. One approach that seems promising is choosing two antigenically very different strains within the H1 or H3 subtype for the primary and subsequent booster vaccinations.

Producing well with a low antimicrobial usage: Is it possible in high pig-density areas? And, what is the role of the age at weaning?

How can we monitor our program? Which pigs should be sampled? How many? How often should we sequence the virus/es present in our farms?

Could the vaccination against Salmonella in pigs be as crucial as it has been in poultry?

The farmer contacted the veterinary surgeon concerning an increase of respiratory distress and mortality in the finishing pigs during the previous 3 days.

Fernando Rodríguez, the director of CReSA, explains at what stage is the development of the vaccine against ASF.

In this third article, we want to to talk about a common guest in the nurseries: Streptococcus suis, the causative agent of clinical pictures that can include meningitis, arthritis and sudden deaths.

This clinical case describes how, after discovering large numbers of dead and dying pigs in the sheds over a 4-day period, an expert team of veterinarians diagnosed African Swine Fever.

Four veterinarians talk about gilt acclimation: programs they put in place, how the immune status is measured and special management scenarios for introducing those gilts into the main herd.

Enric Marco comments on the practical implications of a recent article investigating the transmission of ASF through ingestion of flies.

Main elements that can be found in the digestive environment and how they are involved in gut health.

10 recomendations to face African Swine Fever (ASF).

How have the farms adapted to the new situation? What measures are being taken to avoid the onset of digestive problems without using antibiotics? ...

The authors share their strategies in the face of tail biting outbreaks as well as on-going preventative measures.

What is the "gut health" concept that everyone talks about? Why is it important?

What is the preferred exposure method?, and the best status of the incoming gilts?, should they be raised on-farm or purchased?, … Veterinary practitioners from Germany, North America, China, and Spain share their opinions.

In recent years, pig production has been subject to several changes that have forced farmers to adapt. Some of these changes have a direct impact on the nursery.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, serum virus neutralization test, haemoagglutination test, and immunoperoxidase monolayer assay are explained.

The authors share their experience on tail biting risk factors identification as well as the production of non-docked pigs.

Feeding, biosecurity and concomitant diseases as factors involved in the perpetuation of Salmonella in the farm.

The average mortality increased by 2.5% due to the animals that presented with myelitis and ascending infections along the spine. Find out how the problem could be solved without returning to tail docking.

Nowadays several laboratory techniques allow to evaluate the cellular immune response.