Author Topic: pig wasting (Read 2895 times)

Young Ed · « **on:** July 31, 2014, 10:45:16 am »

my brothers 4 weaners have just been diagnosed with pig wasting and he has been told he is lucky to still have all 4 alive.
he can get a medicine but at £70 for a bottle r whatever it is he can't really afford that for 4 pigs and even that wouldn't set them completely straight, anyone heard of anything else?

also one other thing about it, it can't spread from the pigs to my sheep can it?
Cheers Ed

fsmnutter · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2014, 12:12:32 pm »

It is a virus so long term antibiotics can help reduce secondary infections, and steroids can sometimes make them feel a bit better but there are no guarantees.
It is either treat, wait and see, or have them put down if suffering.
Having had it on the farm, it would be worth vaccinating weaners in future to protect them, or buy from somewhere already vaccinated, and clean and disinfect everything before the next batch.
It is highly unlikely to spread between species.

Fowgill Farm · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2014, 02:08:36 pm »

Would agree with previous poster and put them out of their misery.
Were they commercials picked up cheap at local market as these are much more prone to this type of disease? make sure he thoroughly disinfects and cleans after their dispatch and leave a gap before he gets the next lot and go for a stronger traditional breed,
Also sorry this will sound harsh but if he can't afford meds for his pigs he shouldn't be keeping them, it something you have to factor in when you decide to keep stock alongside buying feed, bedding, water, transport etc.
mandy

Young Ed · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2014, 05:22:42 pm »

thanks all, that is what my bro is thinking best to just get rid of them
from a private breeder so never went near any market and they are pure saddlebacks and he has never had a problem with them before, he used to get them from a prison farm but heard rumours that it had closed down but has since learnt that these were wrong and he shall return there next year

i probably worded it wrong but yes he could afford the meds but they are a large cost and in this case not considered worth it
Cheers Ed

RaisinHall Tamworths · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2014, 09:24:57 pm »

Is it definately wasting disease? If it is then they look so awful that on welfare grounds you wouldnt do anything but pts, can't bare to look at them due to how poorly they are. Is your vet a pig specialist? Things like PRRS and post weaning e coli have 'wasting' like symptoms. Just a thought before you go down either route of pts or vaccinating for something you may not need to.

Young Ed · « **Reply #5 on:** August 01, 2014, 10:26:41 am »

Quote from: RaisinHall Tamworths on July 31, 2014, 09:24:57 pm

Is it definately wasting disease? If it is then they look so awful that on welfare grounds you wouldnt do anything but pts, can't bare to look at them due to how poorly they are. Is your vet a pig specialist? Things like PRRS and post weaning e coli have 'wasting' like symptoms. Just a thought before you go down either route of pts or vaccinating for something you may not need to.

vet is just a general farm only vet but they have not had a look but we have had the head of a local prison farm down with two prisoners and they all reckon it is pig wasting but said we are lucky they are still alive and we have done a very good of of them so far.
can post a pic of them if you like (don't worry they don't look too bad just a lot thinner and smaller then they should at this stage)
may I ask some very stupid questions?
thanks for letting me :p what does 'PRRS' and 'PTS' mean?
Cheers Ed

kja · « **Reply #6 on:** August 01, 2014, 11:01:38 am »

porcine reproductive & respiratory syndrome

put to sleep

RaisinHall Tamworths · « **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2014, 04:15:58 pm »

Yes post some pictures Young Ed

.

Young Ed · « **Reply #8 on:** August 02, 2014, 09:14:13 am »

will post pics some point soon but soonest this evening as i am working 10-4 or 5 today
Cheers Ed

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2014, 11:11:11 am »

Whatever it is if they survive they'll take longer to finish and you need to be aware of this. Also it may leave them vulnerable to other infections, so keeping their housing clean and dry and never letting them go short of water will be even more important than usual.