WHAT IS MARBURG? THIS VIRUS CAUSES VICTIMS TO BLEED FROM EVERY ORIFICE AND DIE

WHAT IS MARBURG? THIS VIRUS CAUSES VICTIMS TO BLEED FROM EVERY ORIFICE AND DIE. The virus is usually spread to humans from animals, most often bats and monkeys. Once in the human population, it can continue to spread by contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals. In Uganda, there’s currently an outbreak of Marburg virus, an extremely infectious virus that causes victims to bleed from every orifice before finally succumbing to severe dehydration and blood loss. With a current fatality rate of 100 percent, the African nation has also reported a national outbreak of the horrific virus, also known as Ebola’s cousin. Here’s what you need to know. First recognized in 1967, Marburg virus, formerly known as Marburg haemorrhagic fever, is a rare but extremely fatal hemorrhagic disease. The World Health Organization report that the fatality rate is about 50/50 for this virus, but in past outbreaks fatality rates have been as high as 88 percent. In the current outbreak all three of the three victims have died from the disease and Uganda did not wait for further deaths before declaring a national outbreak on October 19, CNN reported. The CDC report initial symptoms of the virus include fever chills, headache and generally not feeling very well. Later on, however, the symptoms can become more serious, such as nausea, vomiting, chest pain, sore throat, abdominal pain, and severe diarrhea. The symptoms of the Marburg virus include high fevers, head and body aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Why is the skin of your pig yellow.?

Why is the skin of your pig yellow.? Jaundice, or icterus is yellow coloration of white connective tissue in the body, skin or eye sclera, the latter being the only sign in pigs. The yellowing/jaundice results when there is an increase of biliary salts in the blood and it takes one of three forms. Pre-hepatic jaundice, or hemolytic icterus, occurs due to massive blood destruction that overwhelms the detoxifying capacity of the liver. Hepatocellular icterus comes from direct liver injury, and post-hepatic icterus is caused by obstruction of biliary drainage. Several infections can affect directly the blood or the liver causing yellowing these are: Leptospira (mainly fetuses), mycoplasma, E. coli and Salmonella. In all cases other signs can help to address infective causes. Ascaris suum can also cause icterus through direct parasitosis of the liver with later migration to the lungs. At the abattoir white spots are evident in the liver.

The causes of tail necrosis in pigs.

What is tail necrosis. Tail necrosis is a common affliction in pigs that occurs unpredictably and jeopardizes performance. Tail necrosis can happen in very young piglets during the first days of life up to finishing pigs, often leading to culling and condemnation of carcasses at the abattoir. The primary damage may result from abrasion, fight wounds or tail docking. #tail The causes of tail necrosis can be attributed to many environmental, nutritional and infectious agents that often coincide. A number of environmental factors can lead to tail necrosis including air humidity, small injuries from slatted or abrasive flooring, or a failure to rinse off strong (alkaline) disinfectants after use. Pen mates may step on or bite the tail – a behavior more commonly observed with a lack of foraging activity or manipulating materials. High stocking density and competition for space also plays a role, potentially in response to discomfort caused by ambient temperature (too hot/cold), a lack of draught free areas, or in an effort to secure feeding space.#tail Cross-fostering, tail clipping and other environmental stressors may incite frustration from which vices such as tail biting develop. In terms of nutrition, an imbalanced diet, certain deficiencies, for example biotin or tryptophan, or a craving for salt, protein or some specific amino acids can influence tail necrosis. Excess energy and intestinal discomfort may also be contributing factors. #pigs In some cases, naturally occurring toxins may be the cause, including endotoxins, mycotoxins (aflatoxin, trichothecenes, ergot alkaloids) and biogenic amines. Bugs can also be the culprit. #pigs Skin parasites (mites), streptococcosis (beta-haemolytic), staphylococcosis or erysipelas can be at fault. Bacteria penetrate into the skin causing inflammation and then block the blood supply, leading to necrosis. Prevention can be carried out by thoroughly revising management and feeding practices in order to avoid the identified environmental, nutritional and disease factors, and by maintaining good hygiene when tail clipping. The only treatments that are available involve isolating the affected pigs and then providing local disinfection and parenteral antibiotics.

How to maintain hooves and limb health in pigs.

How to maintain hooves and limb health in pigs. 

1) Maintain and control floor quality in pens. Remove sharp edges (or file sharp edges when necessary).Ensure the correct slat width in slatted floors Keep the floors non-slippery by providing dry and clean resting areas.

 2) Minimize social and hierarchy clashes.Introduce husbandry solutions that will prevent hierarchy clashes.Provide sufficient pen space and free space per number of animals.

How to reduce sow culling due to lameness.

How to reduce sow culling due to lameness.Lameness is a growing problem on swine farms with sows being culled from the herd in the most severe cases. The causes of lameness can be reduced and eliminated by following these simple tips. Lameness and hoof quality issues are becoming an increasingly common problem on a greater number of swine farms, leading to more culling of sows. Health problems associated with limb injuries are most common in bedding-free systems where uneven, wet and slippery floors increase the risk of both limb injuries and infections.#sows Lameness reflects pain of an injury . For example, incorrect slat widths in slatted floors can cause inflammation if hooves get stuck between them, resulting in abrasions or injuries. Analysis of hoof and limb condition in the sow herd, and the level of sow culling due to hoof and limb issues, provides us with important feedback on the correct husbandry and management of a herd, which directly impacts production efficiency. #sow How to reduce sow culling due to lameness.

Common diseases encountered in the breeding stock of pigs.

Common diseases encountered in the breeding stock of pigs. In order for pig producers to be successful, keeping their animals healthy is key. It is essential to know about diseases that may occur in the herd and all staff working with the pigs should be able to spot the symptoms of common diseases and alert the manager or veterinarian, as appropriate. Treating pigs quickly with suitable medication is the next step as prevention is obviously better than cure. There is a need to have a herd health plan will help to minimize disease incidence. #breeding #pigs. In terms of disease prevention, re-occurring themes include hygiene, ventilation and reducing stress. Pig producers need to provide an environment that is optimal for the animal and inhospitable for disease-causing agents. As well as reducing infection pressure, immunity must be promoted by measures such as optimal nutrition and good husbandry. Maintaining good biosecurity through every part of the production cycle will go a long way to preventing disease outbreaks. Managers should also ensure that breeding stock are purchased from high health status herds and suitably quarantined before introduction. #breeding stock Common diseases encountered in the breeding stock of pigs. 1) Mastitis Reduced milk production, loss of appetite and a higher body temperature are symptoms of mastitis in sows. It is caused by a bacterial infection of the mammary glands, where skin discoloration can be seen. Antibiotics, along with anti-inflammatory drugs are effective treatments. Oxytocin may be used to encourage let down of milk and corticosteroids can be prescribed. Hygiene in farrowing housing is important, along with nutrition during late pregnancy to promote immunity. Stress can also be a factor, and it is important to make sure that teats are not being damaged by sow housing facilities. This disease has a significant effect on productivity because of the potential effect of reducing the number of piglets weaned by sows. 2). Porcine parvovirus If pregnant sows become infected with parvovirus (PPV), reproductive disease can occur, but not in all cases. If it does, most commonly in gilts, reproductive performance is significantly affected. Mummification and stillbirths occur, resulting in small litter sizes. Other reproductive diseases have the same symptoms so accurate diagnosis is essential. Unusually, the virus can survive outside the host for several months, making it endemic in most herds. Although it is only during pregnancy that PPV is a problem, other pigs can spread the virus. There are no treatments available; in order to prevent this disease routine vaccination of gilts is advisable.

The most common pig diseases during pre and post weaning stages.

The most common pig diseases during pre and post weaning stages. In order for pig producers to be successful, keeping their animals healthy is key. It is essential to know about diseases that may occur in the herd and all staff working with the pigs should be able to spot the symptoms of common diseases and alert the manager or veterinarian, as appropriate. Treating pigs quickly with suitable medication is the next step as prevention is obviously better than cure. There is a need to have a herd health plan will help to minimize disease incidence. In the pre-weaning period these are the common diseases; 1. Exudative dermatitis (greasy pig). The symptoms of this disease are skin lesions, caused by an infection of the bacteria Staphylococcus hyicus. In severe cases, mortality can occur, as the bacteria damage the liver and kidneys. Lesions first present as dark areas of skin, which spread and become flaky with a greasy feel. Antibiotics are used to treat the infection, along with skin protectants; autogenous vaccines have also been used with success. Improving hygiene in piglet housing is key to preventing this condition, along with teat dipping of sows pre- and post-farrowing. It is also important to reduce the potential for skin abrasions, as this is how the infection enters the body. Abrasions are caused by rough floors, jagged teeth, sharp equipment or even mange mites bites. 2. Coccidiosis. This disease is very common in suckling piglets and is caused by three types of the intracellular parasite coccidia. It causes diarrhea, which can be bloody, often between 10 and 21 days of age and up to 15 weeks of age. Acute cases are treated with fluid therapy and coccidiostats. Secondary infections can result from damage to the intestinal wall. Depending on the level of occurrence on the farm, preventative treatment of sows with coccidiostats may be appropriate. Hygiene should be improved to end the cycle of infection; sow feces are a major source, and flies can spread infection. Providing a warm, dry, clean creep area will help to reduce the parasite load and the likelihood of coccidial infection. In the post-weaning period these are common: 3. Respiratory diseases. Coughing, sneezing, abdominal breathing, reduced growth rates and potentially mortality are all signs of respiratory disease. Depending on the cause, antibiotics may be given in feed, water or as an injectable. Poor ventilation or environmental conditions can exacerbate respiratory conditions. For example, high levels of ammonia can damage the respiratory tract, making pigs more susceptible to infection. Infective agents include Streptococcus suis and Pasteurella. Vaccines are available for some forms of pneumonia, although the strain affecting a farm should be identified to ensure a successful outcome. Pleuropneumonia, caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, can result in significant mortality, and those that do recover have impaired growth rates and lung damage. Overcrowded and dusty housing are predisposing factors for respiratory disease, along with the presence of PRRS virus. 4. Swine dysentery. Animals with this disease suffer from diarrhea, with or without the presence of blood. It is caused by the bacteria Brachyspira hyodsenteriae. Growth rates of post-weaning pigs are reduced, and, in some cases, sudden death can occur. Antibiotics are used to treat the disease, either in feed, water or as an injectable. Reducing stocking density can be an effective way of reducing infection pressure and stress in the herd. As well as improving hygiene levels, rodent control is a high priority; rodents are a vector for this disease. The strategy for buying and introducing replacement stock should be reviewed, as this a major route of disease introduction. The most common pig diseases during pre and post weaning stages.