Articles - Pig health

In March 2021, a high percentage of severe lameness appeared in 12 to 17-day-old piglets, approximately 20% of the piglets present.

The first days of the finishing phase are key, as they will determine finishing performance. This article addresses two types of pathologies caused by two different pathotypes of Escherichia coli.

Among the elements that are often overlooked is the microbiota, a true "invisible organ" that plays a key role in the health, immunity, and productivity of pigs. Understanding its dynamics and how it becomes imbalanced is increasingly essential for the success of health and nutrition programs.

Since 2017 the number of gilts coming into heat (with standing reflex) has gradually fallen to levels less than 50-60% of the gilts ready to be inseminated...

Pathogens that are transmitted mostly through direct, pig to pig, contact are generally contained with today’s biosecurity programs and pig flow strategies. However, pathogens using multiple routes of transmission seem to evade standard biosecurity programs.

This case describes the deferred lesions resulting from tail biting and quantifies the losses it causes.

What is the cause of this disease in the field recently? Not always following the textbook description… Global swine professionals with field experience answer this and many other questions.

What laboratory diagnostic methods can I use to diagnose African swine fever? Which one should I choose according to the situation? How do I interpret the results?

A group of swine professionals will describe their field experience and perspective gained while fighting against African Swine Fever.

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.

What laboratory diagnostic methods can I use to diagnose FMD? Which one should I choose according to the situation? How do I interpret the results?

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

In this article we share the WHO guidelines for hand hygiene, which is a very important part of the day-to-day on a pig farm as incorrect washing leaves some areas dirty.

In this last article in the series we discuss the main causes of “vaccine failure”, i.e. when we aren't sure that vaccines are working or they are only partially working.

The “normal” sporadic and unexplained abortion rate in pigs is approximately 1 to 2 % of pigs that are mated and achieve a pregnancy.

When was the last time that you disinfected your cellphone?

In the first article of this series, the four specialists shared with us about the increase in neonatal diarrhea problems and explained which were the main causative agents according to their experience. In this article, we will address preventive strategies using vaccination methods.

In a factory farm located in Mexico an increase in the mortality in the farrowing quarters was seen, and this coincides with temperature and relative humidity increases.

Understanding potential causes of lameness can help reduce the levels of lameness in the breeding herd and thus improve farm productivity and sow welfare.

Neonatal diarrhea is a common and often frustrating pathology, Today, four swine specialists give us their opinions about this problem, sharing their knowledge and point of view from different geographic locations.

Do's and don'ts of vaccine storage regarding location, temperature control, maintenance, and traceability.

On the finisher sites, the farmer noticed that the growing pigs in all the farm sheds had become dull and lame.

After interpreting the lesions we must proceed to sample collection.

In the fifth installment of the manual we address the examination of the organs of the abdominal cavity.