How to establish and maintain a mange-free pig populations.

How to establish and maintain a mange-free pig populations.The establishment and maintenance of mange-free herds is achieved by three important facts:
1) Piglets are born free of mites.

2) Mites are highly host-specific and do not survive long away from their host.

3)Modern treatments are very effective.

 Mange-free herds can also be established with cesarean piglets, by depopulation and repopulation from mange-free stock, by segregated rearing of treated pigs or by eradication using ivermectins and other products.

 Biosecurity measures that focus on careful scrutiny of incoming stock and sourcing stock from a minimal number of herds are usually adequate to prevent re-introduction of the parasite.


 Mange control involves identification of animals with chronic mange so that they can receive systematic and regular treatment to protect the younger animals in the herd.All control programmes must target the breeding herd.

Mange in pigs.

The importance of external parasites in pig production varies greatly among regions because of differences in climate and systems used to raise pigs. Sarcoptic mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var suis is the most important external parasite of pigs worldwide.

 Other external parasites include demodectic mites, lice, fungi and ticks. External parasites produce a range of clinical signs in pigs including rubbing, scratching, and skin lesions. Some parasites also cause significant economic effects due to reduced growth rate, reduced feed efficiency, and loss of carcass value at slaughter.

 Sarcoptic Mange. Two clinical forms of the disease are recognized: a hyperkeratotic form that most commonly affects multiparous sows and a pruritic or hypersensitive form that primarily affects growing pigs.

 The sarcoptes mite is a small, greyish-white, circular parasite about 0.5mm in length and just visible to the naked eye when placed on a dark background.

 Hyperkeratotic encrustations in the ears of multiparous sows are the main reservoir of mites within a herd. The boar helps to maintain infection in the herd because he is constantly in direct skin contact with breeding females and he remains a chronic carrier.

If pigs are housed in groups, there is increased opportunity for spread. Piglets become infested during suckling. Environmental spread is less important but exposure for as little as 24 hours to pens that have been immediately vacated by previously infected pigs can result in infestation.

 The mite dies quickly away from the pig; under most farm conditions in less than five days. This is an important factor in control. If a herd is free from mange, it is one of the easiest diseases to keep out because it can only be introduced by carrier pigs.

However, once it is introduced, it tends to become permanently endemic unless control measures are taken. In the acute disease,there is severe hypersensitive (allergic) mange in a sow.

REARING SMALL RUMINANTS FOR FOOD SECURITY.

Small ruminants  are a viable source of protein,hence are important in the food chain.The rearing process is throughout the year because the period of gestation is 5 months.

The animals are in high demand during festive periods,although they could be found all year round in various food joints because of a sector of the populace that favors these breeds.

 The sheep and goat section is a prominent part of the abattoir operations,and are readily available in meat shops.The raising of the ruminants could be large scale or small scale depending on the financial capacity of the individual.

The breeds of the ruminant selected for the venture are those that can tolerate weather conditions and resistant to diseases.The common breeds include,west African dwarf, Yankasa,Balami,Sokoto red and Maradi.

                  BENEFITS OF RAISING SMALL RUMINANT

. 1) economic value; the animals can be raised,fattened and sold for profit.The kids and lambs can be sorted and reserved to increase herd size .

 2) Provision of much needed protein to promote growth and development of the populace. 

 3)employment opportunity; people who raise these animals actively engage services of herds men,laborers and other assistant to manage the venture.

 4) Its a way to ensure food security.

                  SELECTION OF ANIMALS FOR REARING

. 1) Animals must be sourced from reliable stock,with proven health status.

2 )The animals must be physically fit, and must conform to breed characteristics.

 3)There must be no sign of ill health such as skin diseases,cough,watery/red eyes and diarrhea.

 4)The animals must be weighty, not obese and young animals are to sourced.

 5)Dont buy during festive peaks as the prices will be astronomical thus increasing cost of production.
The animals are raised in clean,dry and ventilated housing.The housing preference depends on the keeper. The animals might be housed in groups in various housing,or they are left to graze round the compound and are provided with shelter on a side in the farm.

The advantage of housing in groups and feeding far out ways other methods.The house should be on well drained land to prevent flooding /wetness which will make the animals prone to foot rot.

The house is usually made of wood and covered with sheets,,the floor is made of roughened concrete with slants so that the animal wont slip and washing of pen is easy

. The feeding accounts for 65-70% of production,and the main source is grass of various types that are chopped and provided.

The animals to be fattened need to be provided with other feed sources so that they mature fast.These feed sources are commercial feed formulated for growth and maintenance. Water is essential for the ruminants,thus cool,clean water should be provided everyday. Mineral supplements are provided in form of salt licks.

                    HEALTH MANAGEMENT.

 1)Quarantine new stock,before release to the farm.

 2)stabilize new stock, by deworing and placing on vitamins

 3)Eradicate ectoparasites,by using appropriate chemicals for tick bath.

Herbal remedy for pets.

                        Herbal remedy for pets.

 Garlic is an effective flea and tick repellent. The garlic cloves is crushed and put in oils and left to stand for a while before applying on coat of dog.

The preparation can also be used to make a flea collar; the cloth/collar is soaked with the solution and its put on the dog.

 Garlic oil prepared is used to treat ear infections; to prepare the ear ointment, add the cloves of garlic to a bottle of olive oil,then leave for 2 weeks.

The oil is separated from the garlic cloves and its referred to as garlic oil. The garlic oil is very effective for treatment of ear mites,otitis and any ear infection.The oil can also be applied on the coat to treat skin infection such as mange and ring worm.

  Vinegar is also a great flea repellent,mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a bottle and spray on the pet.

 Peppermint oil is also of great value in vet practice; it has anti inflammatory,antiseptic and analgesic properties.The peppermint extract in oil is a flea repellent,the addition of the peppermint leaves to oil is a good coat conditioner.

 Aloe vera has also found uses in the vet practice,the extract is jelly-like and its suitable for skin infestation such as mange,alopecia , hot spots, wound healing and burns treatment.The use is also relevant in treatment of lumps and sores.

HERBAL INTERVENTIONS IN VET PRACTICE.

The world today is moving away from the use of chemicals,conventional drugs and trending into the wellness practice.Many people have moved into holistic methods of treatment and this has spilled over to veterinary practice,where more and more people are seeking herbal therapy for their pets. Herbal interventions also referred to as herbal therapy is the use of herbs to treat ailments,correct disorders and heal sores,wounds and treat diseases. The herbs can be used in various forms such as roots,leaves and stem depending on where the active ingredient lies in the plant.The herbs can be prepared as capsules,grounded as powdered, added to alcohol extracts,dried ,in tinctures, lotions or creams and the method of presentation depends on its use . The common herbs are ginger,garlic and some oil extracts from peppermint leaves and cloves.The uses varies from flea treatment,shampoos,treatment of gastric dilatation-volvulous complex, cancer,mange,inappetence,arthritis, and diabetes to mention a few. Veterinary. The various herbs,uses and preparation will be discussed at length. The possibilities abound in herbal medicine for veterinarians, and to this end there are a crop of vets that practice this act solely and are referred to as veterinary herbalist. How to use herbs in veterinary practice. Pets and herbs= better health. #poultry