Veterinary Services

Generalised and systemic conditions

Glasser’s disease was diagnosed in 8 to 9 week old pigs from three unrelated units. Typical lesions of polyserositis associated with Haemophilus parasuis.were present in each case however in one pig there was massive distension of the pericardial sac with watery, creamy fluid. The epicardium was covered with a thick layer of fibrin.

Staphylococcus chromgenes was isolated from the skin of two nine-week-old pigs on a unit where 20% of pigs were reported to be severely affected with “greasy pig”-type skin lesions.  An eight-week-old pig from an unrelated unit had severe exudative dermatitis affecting the face and ventral neck. In this case Staphylococcus hyicus was isolated from the skin confirming “greasy pig” disease. 

Acute degenerative cardiomyopathy was considered the cause of sudden death in an eight-month-old breeding boar. Necropsy findings were typical of acute cardiac failure and histopathology confirmed acute degenerative changes in the myocardial fibres, with swelling, separation of sarcomeres, loss of striation and fragmentation. A mild valvular endocarditis causing distortion of the heart valves was also present.
 
Respiratory tract conditions

PRRS was confirmed as the cause of death in three eleven-week-old pigs submitted as part of an investigation into respiratory disease and increased mortality. Histopathology identified widespread acute interstitial pneumonia, congestion and oedema, and PCR screening of lung tissue was positive for the European strain of the PRRS virus. 

Pneumonia due to mixed infection with Pasteurella multocida and Streptococcus suis serotype 2 was diagnosed in a fifteen-week-old gilt. The cranial, intermediate and cranioventral halves of the diaphragmatic lung lobes were fawn coloured and consolidated and there were haemorrhages in the dorsal aspect of the right diaphragmatic lung lobe. The dorsal half of the left diaphragmatic lung lobe was very congested and oedematous.
 
Rhinitis associated with Bordetella bronchiseptica and Haemophilus parasuis was diagnosed in poorly thriving eight-week-old pigs.  Histopathology confirmed destruction of the nasal turbinate cartilage, inflammatory infiltrates and hyperplastic epithelium.

Alimentary conditions

Swine dysentery was confirmed as the cause of muco-haemorrhagic diarrhoea in grower unit previously free of the condition.  Brachyspira hyodysenteriae was detected by PCR and culture in a number of faecal samples from affected pigs. Disease spread between pens fairly rapidly with clinical disease seen in approximately 20% of the pigs. The source of infection was not determined.