Veterinary Services

Parasitic diseases

Examination of a faeces sample from a Tamworth sow in Caithness revealed large numbers of liver fluke eggs. The sow was one of a group of six kept outside that had been scouring despite anthelmintic and antibiotic therapy. Fasciolosis is an unusual occurrence in pigs in the UK since few are kept in the wet pasture conditions suitable for maintenance of the fluke life cycle and clinical problems in adult pigs are rarely reported. This is the first porcine case of liver fluke infestation to be reported in Caithness. Following the prescribing cascade, the sows were treated with triclabendazole (off licence), which appeared to result in clinical improvement.

Generalised and systemic conditions

An outbreak of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) was confirmed on a recently repopulated breeder-finisher unit. Characteristic histopathological lesions of lymphoid depletion and histiocytic infiltration were observed in lymph nodes of two 12-week-old pigs submitted for examination. Ulceration of the pars oesophagea of the stomach was also a feature in both of the pigs, one of which had a fibrinous peritonitis due to Arcanobacterium pyogenes and the other, an acute suppurative pneumonia.

Porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) was diagnosed in a ten-week-old pig submitted from a herd where there had been three "sudden deaths" in pigs of this age group during a one week period. PDNS was suspected based on the gross post mortem findings of enlarged "turkey-egg" kidneys and was confirmed on histopathological examination whichexamination, which revealed severe diffuse chronic glomerulonephritis with glomerular atrophy and extensive hyaline cast formation.

Nervous system disorders

Nervous signs were reported in a group of four, five-month-old Tamworth cross Gloucester Old Spot pigs after they had escaped from their paddock and one of the pigs had subsequently died. Histopathological examination of the brain revealed widespread meningeal oedema, perivascular oedema and oedema of the neuropil. There was diffuse perivascular inflammation affecting the cerebrum and midbrain and significant numbers of eosinophils in the inflammatory reaction; findings consistent with water deprivation.

Skin diseases

Exudative epidermitis (greasy pig disease) due to Staphylococcus hyicus was diagnosed following post mortem examination of two 14-day-old piglets from an outdoor herd. Two to three cases had occurred each week in 10 to 14-day-old piglets over the last month. A poor clinical response to treatment with lincomycin was reported (although the isolate appeared to be sensitive in vitro) but cases had improved following the introduction of amoxicillin therapy.