Author Topic: Atrophic Rhinitis in meat pigs. (Read 2187 times)

DeanoT2000 · « **on:** May 13, 2018, 05:56:48 pm »

Hi! I’ve been keeping a few pigs now for a few years and been very lucky to have had nothing but good luck..... until now.

I’ve three Berkshire weaners (2 boars and a gilt) who are approaching 5 months old. They were destined to be taken to baconer weight then a one way trip to the ‘obvious’. When we picked them up the gilt had a strange tilt to her head and all three were a bit ‘fugly’ but all were healthy in all other ways. Fast forward three months and the twist in the snout has worsened as has the snuffles, one also now had occasional nose bleeds and a weepy eye. Got the vet out who confirmed the issue was non bacteriological atrophic rhinitis probably caused by poor genetics, nothing to worry about and no real veterinary intervention possible. Flick forward another month and now the two boars have distinctive septum deviation and both now have daily (if not more) nose bleeds.

The question is given the worsening condition do I take them to the planned slaughter weight (possibly another 5 months with maybe worsening condition) or do I take them early?? Will this condition cause issues with the abbatoir vet??

Any advice welcome!!

Deano

Me · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2018, 06:35:52 pm »

Kill them now, less welfare problems. Talk to the Vet in advance

Bionic · « **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2018, 08:36:03 am »

Agree with me. Apart from anything else it must be causing them and you distress. Wouldn't want that to go on any longer

pharnorth · « **Reply #3 on:** May 14, 2018, 02:19:32 pm »

Also mention it to their breeder. They may not be fully aware of the issue and it is clearly a breeding pair that are not good together and a vaccination programme and clean up is needed.

harmony · « **Reply #4 on:** May 14, 2018, 04:10:45 pm »

I would mention it to the breeder. I think it is an infectious disease. It slows growth so your pigs may not be ready to go but I would agree with others that you send them now. Fill in the details on the eaml2 form where it asks about health/abnormalities. Talk to the abattoir. Observe the standstill on any medication given.

DeanoT2000 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2018, 12:45:48 pm »

Many thanks to all. Unsurprisingly based on the animal welfare and husbandry implications sending them early was my gut reaction. There has been no medication given but I’ve info’d the breeder and will chat with the Vet at the abbatior tomorrow (they’re off to Neil James in Raglan).

We’ll then do a thorough Virkon S disinfect (probably 2) of everything before our new pigs (same breed, different breeder and one we’ve used before) arrive in mid July.

Many thanks to all.

Deano.

harmony · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2018, 01:24:48 pm »

Be good to check which disinfectant to use. I think one form of the disease can be passed to other animals. the Pig Site is good for info on swine disease.