Endocarditis - Atlas of swine pathology
Where: cardiovascular system
Possible causes: ErysipelaStreptococcal infections
The endocarditis observed in this weaning piglet was caused by Streptococcus suis. In this case, piglets affected during the weaning stage showed high fever, neurological symptoms and joint swelling. This lesion in the endocardium was found during necropsy of one of the pigs. The material sent to the laboratory identified the causative agent, which mostly affects very young animals —often during weaning—, increasing mortality. The agent affects the serous membrane, so lesions can be seen in the endocardium, pericardium, joints serous membrane, meninges, etc. Mixing piglets at weaning generates healthy carrier pigs.