Eli Lilly's animal health wing Elanco has obtained approval in Canada for in-feed use of its Tylan 40 brand of hog feed premix to control ileitis.

According to the company, Tylan may now be used for "treatment of ileitis and the treatment of persistent or recurring ileitis associated with the bacteria that causes it."

Tylan was already approved as an aid in prevention of ileitis caused by Lawsonia intracellularis bacteria. Now, as a treatment, it can also be used "as part of a step-down programme in cases of persistent or recurring ileitis infection," Elanco Canada's Peter Mumford said in a release.

Estimates suggest the bacteria is found in over 90% of Canadian farrow-to-finish herds, with up to 57% of finisher pigs "directly affected" by the disease, Elanco said.

Subclinical cases show lower average daily gain and feed efficiency, the company said. But acute ileitis may make for pale anaemic pigs, bloody diarrhoea and, in the worst cases, sudden death.

Tylan has a unique formulation and production process shown to deliver high efficacy and consistent results across animals, Mumford said, crediting the active ingredient's stability over time.

To treat ileitis with Lawsonia intracellularis, Tylan 40 Premix should be administered at a rate of 1.25 kg per 1,000 kg of complete feed for three weeks, the company said.

But to treat ileitis with Lawsonia intracellularis in cases of "persistent or recurring infection," Tylan 40 Premix should be administered at a rate of 1.25 kg per 1,000 kilograms of complete feed for three weeks, followed by Tylan 40 at a rate of 0.5 kg per 1,000 kg of complete feed for three weeks.