February 18, 2011

Dutch vet says most antibiotics used for Streptococcus-infected pigs

Dutch veterinarian John van der Wielen said that the Streptococcus bacterial infections account for about 60% of the total antibiotics used in pigs.

Apparently, this is becoming a common problem in the country's production units, as it has also hit some of the "high health" herds.

Streptococcus suis causes a host of problems in pigs: meningitis, arthritis, heart valve infections, polyserositis, pneumonia, vaginitis and abortions. The bacteria can reside in the tonsil and/or genital tract of pigs; 35 types of Streptococcus suis have been identified.

The most common clinical signs are meningitis (nervous signs) and arthritis (joint swellings) in nursery pigs.

Respiratory infections account for 30% of the antibiotic use said veterinarian Van der Wielen, gastro-intestinal infections for about 10% of the total use. To prevent infections in pigs due to Streptococcus bacteria, non-medicated measures work the best, according to Van der Wielen. "These are more effective than eradication through auto vaccines" he said.

Good measures include rapid feed and water intake by the piglets. "Piglets that eat their feed quickly from the floor are less sensitive for a Streptococcus infection. To see if the feed intake is fast enough it is important to weigh the piglets often during the first few weeks," Van der Wielen concluded.