I. Clinical signs and harmful effects of pica in pigs

 

Recently, many pig farmers have asked about problems such as piglets biting tails and fighting, sows biting piglets, and pigs eating afterbirth. These are all forms of pica in pigs! Pica refers to affected pigs licking or chewing things that are generally considered to have no nutritional value and should not be eaten. It is a manifestation of a complex disorder caused by metabolic dysfunction, abnormal taste perception, and poor management. It is a clinical sign of many diseases, occurs more often in winter and early spring, and is common in piglets and sows.

 

Symptoms:

 

Pica often begins with indigestion, followed by abnormal taste perception and the consumption of non-food items. Symptoms include biting ears, tails, and ribs; sucking on navels; eating feces; rooting in the ground; restlessness in pens; and jumping over pen barriers. Sows may eat afterbirth and piglets. Once pigs develop pica, they grow slowly, become progressively thinner, and develop rough skin and a disheveled coat. If not treated promptly, pica can affect their growth and development. Piglets that have not yet matured may become runts and stop growing.

 

 

II. Causes

 

Incomplete dietary nutrition

 

1, mineral deficiencies (iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium), especially sodium (a monotonous diet and insufficient salt reduce the activity of various enzymes in the body, affecting normal metabolism).

 

2, protein or amino acid deficiency, or poor quality.

 

3, deficiency in certain vitamins, especially vitamin A and B vitamins.

 

Improper feeding management

 

1, insufficient feed and water.

 

2, long-term administration of drugs (olaquindox and furazolidone).

 

3, inappropriate litter mixing, with a large difference in body weight.

 

4, diseases such as internal and external parasites and diarrhea.

 

III. Prevention and control

 

When this occurs, improve management promptly, adjust the pigs’ feed, and provide treatment according to the symptoms.

 

1, for pigs with chronic gastrointestinal diseases, treatment should primarily aim to inhibit bacteria, reduce inflammation, and remove harmful substances from the intestines, together with fluid replacement and cardiotonic measures.

 

2, for pigs that eat pig feces, administer vitamin B12 orally or by intramuscular injection, 1 times a day, 500-1500 milliliters each time, for 3-4 days. Ensure adequate B-complex vitamin supplementation routinely.

 

3, pigs with parasitic diseases should be dewormed promptly.

 

4, pigs eat coal cinders and soil, so they need supplementation with various trace elements such as iron, manganese, zinc, and magnesium.