Vaccinations
Vaccination is a critical preventive tool to promote individual and herd immunity. Our veterinary professionals can tailor a vaccination protocol to your farm’s individual needs and health history. General recommendations include:
- Sows and gilts — Typically, sows and gilts are vaccinated before breeding to protect against reproductive failure caused by Leptospira sp, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, and parvovirus infection. In addition, many farms vaccinate females for enterotoxigenic Eschirichia coli during gestation to boost colostrum immunity to protect piglets from diarrhea.
- Weaned pigs — Vaccines commonly administered to weaned pigs include porcine circovirus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.
- Other — Other vaccines, such as swine influenza virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, and Lawsonia intracellularis, should also be considered, depending on your farm’s history.
- Sows and gilts — Typically, sows and gilts are vaccinated before breeding to protect against reproductive failure caused by Leptospira sp, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, and parvovirus infection. In addition, many farms vaccinate females for enterotoxigenic Eschirichia coli during gestation to boost colostrum immunity to protect piglets from diarrhea.
- Weaned pigs — Vaccines commonly administered to weaned pigs include porcine circovirus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.
- Other — Other vaccines, such as swine influenza virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, and Lawsonia intracellularis, should also be considered, depending on your farm’s history.
Sick Animals
If your pig exhibits illness signs, our veterinary team can help make an accurate diagnosis, determine the best treatment, and help prevent disease spread. Common illnesses that affect pigs include:
- Respiratory disease — Respiratory infections, which are common in pigs, especially newly weaned piglets, are caused by agents such as Pasteurella, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, and Streptococcus suis.
- Hog cholera — Also known as swine fever, this viral infection is one of the most common diseases on commercial hog farms and causes signs such as diarrhea, fever, abortion, paralysis, and death.
- Greasy pig disease — This condition, also called exudative dermatitis, is caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus hyicus, and is most common in piglets. Signs include dark skin lesions that become flaky and appear greasy.
- Respiratory disease — Respiratory infections, which are common in pigs, especially newly weaned piglets, are caused by agents such as Pasteurella, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, and Streptococcus suis.
- Hog cholera — Also known as swine fever, this viral infection is one of the most common diseases on commercial hog farms and causes signs such as diarrhea, fever, abortion, paralysis, and death.
- Greasy pig disease — This condition, also called exudative dermatitis, is caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus hyicus, and is most common in piglets. Signs include dark skin lesions that become flaky and appear greasy.
Surgical Procedures
Many surgical procedures are performed with the pig lying down, using general anesthesia or an anesthesia-sedation combination. Anesthetized pigs are at increased risk for malignant hyperthermia, but our team is always prepared to manage the situation effectively to perform the procedure safely. Common swine surgical procedures we perform include:
- Ear notching
- Tail amputation
- Castration
- Teeth clipping
- Hernia repair
- Cesarean section
Surgical Procedures
Many surgical procedures are performed with the pig lying down, using general anesthesia or an anesthesia-sedation combination. Anesthetized pigs are at increased risk for malignant hyperthermia, but our team is always prepared to manage the situation effectively to perform the procedure safely. Common swine surgical procedures we perform include:
- Ear notching
- Tail amputation
- Castration
- Teeth clipping
- Hernia repair
- Cesarean section
