Since the Beginning of Autumn, temperatures have fluctuated sharply. Daytime brings “autumn tiger” heat, while nights are “cold, frosty autumn,” creating a large day-night temperature difference. This seasonal pattern is particularly pronounced in areas north of the Yangtze River. The abortion and stillbirth rates among sows due to farrow have risen noticeably, and sudden deaths among sows have also become more frequent. Today, two farmers told Teacher Zhang that their sows had aborted several litters recently, and that some sows had died. There was no time to treat themtreat them, and some piglets in the nursery phase had also died. Pig farms are becoming increasingly unstable as autumn sets in. Teacher Zhang has summarized the causes of these symptoms.
First: Seasonal conditions. The large difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures and unstable weather have sharply increased the likelihood of sows catching colds. When a sow develops a persistent fever or high fever, fever-reducing medication is often used. Most fever-reducing medications are contraindicated during pregnancy, and using them can easily cause the sow to abort. If the high fever persists and no medication is used, that can also lead to abortion. This dilemma amounts to “sacrificing the piglets to save the sow”; there is no better option.
Second: By autumn, summer feeding practices may not yet have been changed. Barn hygiene practices may still involve washing down the pens with clean water. Even if the weather feels hot, wash the pens only once around midday. Do not assume that what feels right to people will feel right to pigs; consider whether the pigs can tolerate this practice, as it can easily cause sows to catch colds and abort. Adjust sow feeding and management practices as the seasons change.
Third: Sharp fluctuations between cold and hot weather create favorable conditions for some viral diseases to spread. In particular, diseases such as parvovirus and pseudorabies may break out. Make sure to administer vaccines against these two diseases before this season and ensure that immunization is effective.
Fourth, prevent tapeworm and protozoal diseases. Protozoal diseases are specific to autumn, and sows are most susceptible to infection. They damage red blood cells and reduce their oxygen- and nutrient-carrying capacity, which can easily cause sows to miscarry. Therefore, before autumn begins, deworm the sows and eliminate the protozoa in their bodies at the same time. It is recommended to use ivermectin to deworm piglets before weaning, continuously for seven days. Then, about one and a half months after the sows are bred, use doxycycline to eliminate blood protozoa, continuously for 5 days.
Fifth, streptococcal disease is the disease that most needs to be prevented in autumn. This disease does not give you an effectivetreatmentwindow; it generally occurs quite acutely and is mainly caused by septicemic streptococcal disease. Sows may develop a persistent high fever, systemic septicemia, and miscarriage. The typical finding on necropsy is rubbery lungs. Once septicemic streptococcal disease occurs, even the best veterinarians cannottreatit. To prevent this type of disease, when autumn begins, mix preventive medication into the feed for all sows on the farm.
First: Seasonal conditions. The large difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures and unstable weather have sharply increased the likelihood of sows catching colds. When a sow develops a persistent fever or high fever, fever-reducing medication is often used. Most fever-reducing medications are contraindicated during pregnancy, and using them can easily cause the sow to abort. If the high fever persists and no medication is used, that can also lead to abortion. This dilemma amounts to “sacrificing the piglets to save the sow”; there is no better option.
Second: By autumn, summer feeding practices may not yet have been changed. Barn hygiene practices may still involve washing down the pens with clean water. Even if the weather feels hot, wash the pens only once around midday. Do not assume that what feels right to people will feel right to pigs; consider whether the pigs can tolerate this practice, as it can easily cause sows to catch colds and abort. Adjust sow feeding and management practices as the seasons change.
Third: Sharp fluctuations between cold and hot weather create favorable conditions for some viral diseases to spread. In particular, diseases such as parvovirus and pseudorabies may break out. Make sure to administer vaccines against these two diseases before this season and ensure that immunization is effective.
Fourth, prevent tapeworm and protozoal diseases. Protozoal diseases are specific to autumn, and sows are most susceptible to infection. They damage red blood cells and reduce their oxygen- and nutrient-carrying capacity, which can easily cause sows to miscarry. Therefore, before autumn begins, deworm the sows and eliminate the protozoa in their bodies at the same time. It is recommended to use ivermectin to deworm piglets before weaning, continuously for seven days. Then, about one and a half months after the sows are bred, use doxycycline to eliminate blood protozoa, continuously for 5 days.
Fifth, streptococcal disease is the disease that most needs to be prevented in autumn. This disease does not give you an effectivetreatmentwindow; it generally occurs quite acutely and is mainly caused by septicemic streptococcal disease. Sows may develop a persistent high fever, systemic septicemia, and miscarriage. The typical finding on necropsy is rubbery lungs. Once septicemic streptococcal disease occurs, even the best veterinarians cannottreatit. To prevent this type of disease, when autumn begins, mix preventive medication into the feed for all sows on the farm.