Reproductive Diseases
Swine Disease

Disease description

Consistent, predictable reproductive performance is essential to a profitable swine operation. While swine producers can easily observe major problems in the herd – abortion storms or unusually poor conception rates – more common reproductive problems may be difficult to detect without accurate records. Delayed conception, repeat breeders, small reductions in pigs-born-live-per-litter and lighter pigs at weaning are often the only outward signs of disease.

Many diseases affect swine reproduction. These include:

• Enteroviruses Primary effects are on intestinal tract, but infection during gestation also can cause abortion, stillbirth, deformed piglets

• Erysipelas Not primarily a reproductive disease but acute erysipelas can cause abortion at any stage of gestation, diamond-shaped skin lesions, high fever, stiffness, lack of appetite.

• Leptospirosis Usually occurs as a subclinical infection with few if any outward signs. “Lepto” is a contagious disease carried by many animals, including dogs, mice and rats. It is shed in the urine, which contaminates feed and water and spreads disease, and can also be transmitted to nursing piglets in the milk. Leptospirosis causes abortions late in gestation, stillbirths and birth of week piglets.

• PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome) is a viral disease with severe reproductive effects, including abortion storms, stillbirths and mummified fetuses, as well as respiratory-related symptoms. Sows and grower/finisher pigs suddenly become anorectic and have difficulty breathing. Sows begin aborting, followed by a dramatic increase in stillbirths. Death loss is high in pre-weaned and nursery pigs; those that are infected and survive are usually stunted and perform poorly.

• Porcine parvovirus Thought to be responsible for the greatest portion of embryonic deaths, mummified fetuses and stillborn pigs in the U.S. Gilts are especially vulnerable to parvovirus infection. Depending upon stage of gestation in which infection occurs, reproductive effects include early embryonic death, reabsorption of fetus, mummified fetuses, sterility, stillbirths, strung-out farrowing intervals, small litters.

• Other diseases Brucellosis and Streptococcus suis are infectious diseases that can cause abortion in infected animals. In addition, certain mycotoxin (poisons produced by fungi from moldy animal feeds) can cause diminished fertility and reduced litter size if ingested.

Disease Prevention

For broad-spectrum reproductive disease protection, Parvo Shield L5E is the comprehensive, cost-effective and convenient choice. Parvo Shield L5E protects against parvovirus, five of the major causes of leptospirosis, and erysipelas. Two doses should be given, the first at 4-6 weeks prior to breeding and the second 2-3 weeks later.

Other products are available depending on the herd’s disease history and the veterinarian’s recommendation. These include:

• Parvo Shield – parvovirus protection
• Parvo Shield L5 – parvovirus plus 5-way lepto
• Parvo Shield E - parvovirus plus erysipelas protection
• Lepto Shield 5 – 5-way lepto