Pig Farming

Deworming and its significance in Pig Farming

August 23, 2023

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Deworming and its significance in Pig Farming

Chaudhari¹, Jai Bhagwan², Vikram Jakhar³

¹Extension Specialist, Pashu Vigyan Kendra, Sirsa, ²Assitant Professor, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar

³Assitant Professor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana

Pigs may be infested with a variety of worm infections. The most important worm infestation is round worm. All of these parasites depend on the host’s nutrition to grow and survive. They can be located in the bloodstream, digestive tract, kidneys, liver, lungs, or even the liver. The huge white ascarids (Ascaris suum), red stomach worms (Hyostrongylus rubidus), and whip worms (Trichuris suis) are the most significant parasites in the sow. Piglets could contract an infection from the sow. In the piglet, the threadworm (Strongyloides ransomi) is significant. All organisms have a direct life cycle from eggs in feces to adults in the colon.

In weaned, growing, and finisher pigs, internal parasites are a rare concern unless they are kept in continually occupied straw- or concrete-based pens, in which ascarids may become a problem.

The excrement of pigs can include huge roundworms. The worms cause diarrhea, weight loss, and respiratory issues in pigs 2 to 5 months old. Before entering the gut, the baby worm resides in the liver and lungs. When the lungs are damaged, germs can enter and attack, leading to coughing up blood and lung infections. The baby pigs may encounter death.

1. Causes and predisposing factors of Internal Parasite infestation

Management systems that allow regular access to faeces.
Faeces allowed to accumulate for more than 3 – 4 days (allows eggs to become infective).
Moist wet areas encourage survival of eggs.
No all-in, all-out management.
Permanently populated yards or paddocks outdoors.
Failure to monitor faeces for egg output.
Failure to carry out routine treatments when indicated.
Continuously used pens increase the risks of infection.
Wet dirty floors.
Carrier pigs.

2. Clinical signs and Symptoms

Sows

Loss of body condition.
Hairy pigs.
Blood in faeces but rarely.
Diarrhoea – sloppy.

Piglets (Thread worm)

Bloody diarrhoea.
Some mortality.

Weaners and growers

Coccidiosis could cause diarrhoea within 7 to 10 days of entry to continually used pens.
Strongyle infections (poor growth and sloppy faeces) within 3 to 4 weeks
Blood in faeces.
Pneumonia / heavy breathing.
Pale pigs.

3. Diagnosis

This is based on symptoms and identification of the parasites under macroscopic or microscopic examinations. Laboratory examination of faeces for worm eggs. A faeces sample of 20 to 30 gm without contamination of dust may be collected from animals and dispatched in vial/container to laboratory for examination.

4. Control and Prevention

It is almost impossible to achieve a totally worm (worm egg) free environment but relatively easy to produce a worm-free pig by using appropriate commercially available worming products. Ascaris suum eggs are very robust and can persist for 7 years in the environment. Therefore with heavy burdens where all-in all-out policy is not possible the emphasis should be on preventing the female worms laying eggs (250,000/day) thus reducing the number of eggs in the environment over time.

Controlling parasites requires an understanding of their life cycle. Procedures can be adopted that together with anthelmintics, break this cycle and thus prevent re-infection.

Create a control program that is appropriate for the production system and infection level. The goal should be to restrict mature worms’ ability to lay eggs. Use the right wormer to get the desired result.
To control worms, strictly follow the program’s instructions.
Once the worm load is under control, stick to a basic preventative approach to reduce the likelihood of additional burdens.
To minimize the introduction of eggs to the new environment in outdoor production, always organize the move with a worming program.

Sows and Boars

Treat the entire herd simultaneously a minimum of twice per year and preferably three times.
Ensure all lactating sows are treated at the same time as dry sows.

Gilts and Boars