The effect of organic acids on the control of post-weaning oedema disease of piglets.

Oedema disease usually occurs after weaning and is due to infection with Enterotoxaemic Escherichia coli strains. A total of 240 weaned piglets were used in five groups during a 28-day period. One group (a negative control) was offered feed free of antimicrobials ad libitum, three groups were offered the same diet ad libitum supplemented with either 1.6 per cent lactic acid, 1.5 per cent citric acid or 50 p.p.m. of enrotloxacin (ENR/Baytril I.E.R. 2 5 per cent, Bayer), respectively. Finally, one group was offered the same diet but the amount offered was restricted during the first 12 days post-weaning. Groups receiving acid or ENR additions to the diet had lower mortality than the negative control group (P<0.05). The three groups on treated feed also showed significantly better growth performance and food conversion ratio than the control group (P<0.05). Both organic acids and medication with 50 p.p.m. of ENR for a 10-day period are useful in controlling and/or preventing post-weaning oedema disease.

The effect of organic acids on the control of porcine post-weaning diarrhoea.

Post-weaning diarrhoea syndrome (PWDS) of piglets is caused mainly by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains. Six organic acids were tested for their efficacy in the control of PWDS, using a total of 384 weaned piglets, in eight groups, during a 28-day period. One group (negative control) was offered a diet free of antimicrobials, one group (positive control) was offered the same diet medicated with 44 p.p.m. of lincomycin and 44 p.p.m. spectinomycin (Lincospectin 22 premix, Upjohn), and six groups were offered feed supplemented with either 1.0 per cent propionic acid, 1.6 per cent lactic acid, 1.2 per cent formic acid, 1.2 per cent malic acid, 1.5 per cent citric acid or 1.5 per cent fumaric acid. Groups were compared with regard to the appearance of clinical signs, mortality, weight gain and feed conversion. All groups supplemented with organic acids had reduced incidence and severity of diarrhoea, and performed significantly better than the negative control group (P<0.05). At the end of the trial, ETEC strains were detected in the control group not receiving antibiotics but not in the treated group. Organic acids and especially lactic acid are a useful tool in controlling PWDS.

The effect of probiotic LSP 122 on the control of post-weaning diarrhoea syndrome of piglets.

Post-weaning diarrhoea syndrome (PWDS) of piglets is caused mainly by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains. A new in-feed probiotic, LSP 122 (Alpharma), containing viable spores of Bacillus licheniformis was tested for its efficacy to control PWDS in piglets in a low health-status farm, using four groups with a total of 256 weaned piglets for a 28-day period. One group (negative control) was offered antimicrobial-free and probiotics-free fed, one group was offered feed supplemented with 10(6)viable spores of Bacillus toyoi (Toyocerin(R)) per gram of feed and two groups were offered feed supplemented with 10(6)and 10(7)viable spores of B. licheniformis per gram of feed, respectively, and were compared with regard to the appearance of clinical signs, mortality, weight gain and feed conversion. The results showed that all groups supplemented with probiotics exhibited a reduced incidence and severity of diarrhoea. Mortality in all probiotic supplemented pigs was significantly lower compared with the negative control group (P<0.05). The evaluation of the weight gain data, as well as feed conversion ratio, indicated that the three treated groups performed remarkably better than the negative control group (P<0.05) and the group receiving the high inclusion of LSP 122 performed better than the two other groups receiving probiotics (P<0.05). No ETEC strains were detected on day 22 in the high inclusion of LSP 122 and Toyocerin groups as compared with the untreated control. It was concluded that the high dosage schedule of LSP 122, providing 10(7)viable spores of B. licheniformis per g of feed, is a very useful agent for the control of PWDS due to ETEC.

The efficacy of enrofloxacin in-feed medication, by applying different programmes for the control of post weaning diarrhoea syndrome of piglets.

Post weaning diarrhoea syndrome (PWDS) in piglets is caused mainly by enterotoxigenic Escherichia (E.) coli (ETEC) strains. Six different in-feed usage programmes of enrofloxacin (ENR/Baytril; I.E.R. 2.5%) were tested for their efficacy on the control of post weaning colibacillosis in piglets, using seven groups with totally 336 weaned piglets for a 28 day period. One group (negative control) was offered feed free of antimicrobials, three groups were offered feed medicated with 50 ppm of ENR starting on weaning day for 5, 7 and 10 days respectively, three groups were offered feed medicated with 50 ppm of ENR starting 7 days post weaning for 5, 7 and 10 days respectively, and were compared with regard to the appearance of clinical signs, mortality, weight gain and feed conversion. The results showed that all ENR treatments reduced the incidence and severity of diarrhoea. Mortality was similar in all ENR treatments, but in the groups where the ENR was added for 10 days immediately after weaning and/or 7 days post weaning for 7 and 10 days respectively was lower compared to the negative control group (P < 0.05). The evaluation of the weight gain data, as well as feed conversion ratio indicated that the six treated groups performed remarkably better than the control group (P < 0.05). No ETEC were detected on days 21 and 28 in all ENR groups contrary to the untreated control. It was concluded that a strategic medication initiated 7 days post weaning with 50 ppm of ENR and only for 7 and 10 days period of time is a useful tool in controlling PWDS due to ETEC.

The efficacy of enrofloxacin in-feed medication by applying different programmes for the control of post weaning oedema disease in weaned piglets.

Oedema disease (OD) usually occurs after weaning and is due to infection with (ETEEC) enterotoxaemic Escherichia (E.) coli. This study further examines the efficacy of three different in-feed usage programmes of enrofloxacin (ENR/Baytril I.E.R. 2.5%), on the control of post weaning OD in piglets. The recommended in-feed dosage of ENR for this clinical indication, i.e. 50 p.p.m., was used. Five groups with a total of 240 weaned piglets for 28 days period were used in this trial. One group (negative control) was offered feed free of antimicrobials, one group was offered feed as that of the negative control group except that the feed consumption was restricted for the first 12 days post weaning, and three groups were offered feed ad libitum medicated with 50 p.p.m. of ENR starting 7 days after weaning for 5, 7 and 10 days, respectively, and were compared with regard to their performance. Mortality was lower compared to the negative control group in all ENR treatments (P < 0.05). The evaluation of the growth performance data, as well as feed conversion ratio, indicated that the three treated groups performed remarkably better than the control group (P < 0.05). It was concluded that a strategic medication initiated 7 days post weaning with 50 p.p.m. of ENR and usually for a 10 day period is useful in controlling and/or preventing post weaning OD due to ETEEC.

The effect of salinomycin on the control of Clostridium perfringens type-A infection in growing pigs.

Salinomycin (SAL), an ionophorous polyether antibiotic with growth promoter properties in pigs, has proved to be effective in controlling swine dysentery, porcine intestinal adenomatosis, and porcine haemorrhagic enteropathy. This study examines the ability of SAL to control C. perfringens type-A infection in growing pigs under field conditions. For 2 months, two groups of weaned pigs were offered feed either free of antibiotics, or medicated with 60 ppm and 30 ppm SAL for the first and second month respectively, and were compared with regard to their performance. The results showed that, whilst treatment did not have an effect on the mortality of pigs, the duration of pig diarrhoea during the trial period has been markedly reduced in the SAL group. Laboratory examinations have additionally shown that the number of carrier piglets has been reduced by SAL medication. Finally, treated pigs gained more weight and had a better feed-conversion ratio than untreated pigs during the 2-month trial period. It was concluded that SAL at the registered dose range, used as performance enhancer, can be helpful in controlling C. perfringens type-A infection in growing pigs.