Maintaining welfare standards in the face of a pandemic
Jul 02, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS
Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.
Resurgent Mycoplasma hyorhinis causes debilitating arthritis in late finishing
Jun 28, 2020Susan Spiegel
Infectious arthritis caused by Mycoplasma hyorhinis is gaining ground in hog units where it infects neonatal pigs and develops into severe lameness in market hogs.
Breeding Herd, Diagnostics, FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Research, SVC, TOP NEWS
Pen-side diagnostic comparisons for nursed-off sows and fallback pigs
Jun 28, 2020Susan Spiegel
For both the sow and piglet, an animal that does not perform to its potential or falls behind its counterparts will negatively impact the sow farm’s productivity and profitability.
Vaccine trial data versus lineage: What’s the best way to predict PRRS vaccine performance?
Jun 24, 2020Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 20: An interview with Eva Jablonski, DVM, PRRS Specialist, Senior Technical Services Veterinarian, Zoetis
Antimicrobial resistance causing few clinical problems in swine
Jun 18, 2020Susan Spiegel
Clinical problems in swine due to antimicrobial-resistant infections are rare. In fact, patterns of resistance in swine have been stable for a long time.
Cutting your losses: When to treat and when to euthanize
Jun 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS
Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.
More accurate gilt testing needed to detect Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
Jun 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Sow herds seeking negative M. hyo status should use accurate gilt surveillance methods.
What we learned from PED applies to COVID-19
Jun 08, 2020Susan Spiegel
Swine veterinarians and producers may feel déjà vu when they hear about the COVID-19 epidemic in the US.
Managing pig flows when harvest capacity is restricted
Jun 05, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS, Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd
Neonatal pigs with low levels of viremia may benefit from PRRS vaccination
Jun 04, 2020Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 9: An interview with
Jose Angulo, DVM,
PRRS Specialist,
Managing Veterinarian,
Zoetis
Comparing diagnostic sampling prospects from M. hyo-positive-source boar studs
Jun 03, 2020Susan Spiegel
Many sow farms have undergone M. hyo elimination within their breeding herd, which makes it critical to understand the potential transmission risk from boar studs.
Managing MLV PRRS vaccines for optimum performance and returns
May 28, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS, Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.
Watch your Strep: Keep your guard up for this evolving bacterium
May 27, 2020Susan Spiegel
Few things remain the same for long on a hog farm. By the very nature of today’s production system, pigs are continuously moving on or off a site. One thing that remains constant is Strep suis.
Diagnostics, Global TOPICS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOPICS, Videos
Inadequate iron supplements cause subclinical anemia in weaned pigs
May 20, 2020Susan Spiegel
The standard 200 mg iron shot for baby pigs at processing may not be enough iron to last until weaning.
Finding opportunities to improve pig health during these challenging times
May 20, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS, Carthage Veterinary Service
Fostera® PRRS protects against diverse PRRS virus field strains
May 18, 2020Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 19: PRRS has been described as one of the most important swine diseases of the last half-century. An estimated 20% to 25% of herds are still affected, and the syndrome remains the...
Processing fluids provide an option to monitor PCV2 and PCVAD
May 16, 2020Susan Spiegel
Effective PCV2 control relies on vaccination of healthy pigs before they become infected. This goal cannot be accomplished in unstable herds whose sows give birth to viremic pigs.
AMR in swine: Good news for the industry
May 15, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 1 of the interview on antimicrobial resistance in swine.
AMR in swine: Better information equals better decisions
May 15, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 2 of the interview on antimicrobial resistance in swine.
AMR in swine: Challenges of producing without antibiotics
May 15, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 3 of the interview on antimicrobial resistance in swine.
Comparing PCV2 gilt vaccination protocols and progeny status
May 13, 2020Susan Spiegel
Porcine circovirus type 2 is the principal etiological agent of porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD), which can cost producers an estimated $3 to $4 per pig.
Free booklet offers insights on responsible, effective antimicrobial use in swine
May 12, 2020Susan Spiegel
Antibiotics remain essential tools for maintaining high levels of herd health and welfare, but veterinarians and producers must use them responsibly.
Automatic foggers fall short in disinfecting hog-farm supplies
May 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Preventing fomites from carrying pathogens into hog farms is a daily biosecurity priority, but how effective are typical disinfection protocols?
Gebhart: Cracking the Strep suis code
May 06, 2020Susan Spiegel
Streptococcus suis (Strep suis) is becoming more prevalent and more complex in US swine herds. The coccoid-shaped, Gram-positive bacterium is also a zoonotic disease, capable of transmission from...
Moving pig health to the back burner — if only for a moment
May 04, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Larry Rueff, DVM, Swine Vet Services, Greensburg, Indiana
Rotavirus infections lower weaned-pig weights by a pound
Apr 27, 2020Susan Spiegel
Rotavirus infections in pigs have been around for decades. But in the last several years, the virus has re-appeared, causing diarrhea in neonatal and post-weaned pigs that impedes their growth for...
Chimera technology offers better path to protection for PCV2
Apr 27, 2020Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 6: When PCV2 first became a problem in US swine herds, scientists looked at taking the immunogenic capsid gene from PCV2 and cloning it into the backbone of nonpathogenic PCV type...
Study compares PRRSV antibody-sampling options for sows
Apr 24, 2020Susan Spiegel
When it comes to porcine reproductive and respiratory virus it’s important for the veterinarian and farm personnel to know the health status of a herd or barn.
Batch farrowing makes a comeback on small- to medium-sized sow farms
Apr 22, 2020Susan Spiegel
The practice of farrowing sows in groups and not continuously is making a reappearance as small- to medium-sized sow farms seek ways to stay competitive.
Minimal evidence of antibiotic resistance in swine
Apr 18, 2020Susan Spiegel
Data indicate minimal resistant infections in swine, but that will not deter efforts to maximize preventive care and minimize the need for antibiotics.
Responsible antibiotic use
Apr 18, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 1 of the interview on antibiotic resistance in swine.
Antibiotic reduction: Record keeping is key
Apr 18, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 2 of the interview on antibiotic resistance in swine.
Antibiotic surveillance
Apr 18, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 3 of the interview on antibiotic resistance in swine.
German researchers: Pigs, poultry not susceptible to COVID-19
Apr 15, 2020Susan Spiegel
Scientists in Germany have confirmed that pigs and chickens are not susceptible to COVID-19.
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae: New strategies for an old ‘bug’
Apr 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Managing Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) is nothing new for US pig veterinarians and producers, but there are a number of new tools available to deal with the bacterium.
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae: Underrated disease
Apr 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 1 of the interview on Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae.
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae: Understanding Mycoplasma hyorhinis
Apr 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 2 of the interview on Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae.
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae: New strategies needed
Apr 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 3 of the interview on Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae.
How stress hammers a pig’s intestinal system
Apr 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Experts say some forms of sustained stress can weaken a pig’s immune system and make it more vulnerable to disease and performance losses.
Chronic PED cases linger, setting the stage for elimination
Apr 04, 2020Susan Spiegel
The wild run of porcine epidemic diarrhea striking the pork industry in 2013 has slowed substantially, but chronic versions continue to plague some farms.
Five ways to maintain pig growth in summer without ractopamine
Apr 01, 2020Susan Spiegel
The summer months can be difficult for pigs — and producers. Pigs typically don’t grow as fast and feed efficiency often takes a hit. Much of the downturn is linked to heat stress, which costs US...
Diagnostic experts: PCV3 is common in US swine herds
Apr 01, 2020Susan Spiegel
PCV3 was first reported in 2016, but appears to have been present in swine populations decades prior to that time. PCV3 strains are similar to one another but are very different from PCV2.
Moving parts: Integrated, holistic approach needed for effective mycoplasma control
Mar 30, 2020Susan Spiegel
Renewed interest in M. hyo and its impact on herd health and performance has prompted producers and veterinarians to re-evaluate control strategies for the costly bacterial disease.
Deadly swine-disease outbreak at buying station triggers search for mystery pathogen
Mar 25, 2020Susan Spiegel
When a call came in last September reporting very high, unexplained sow mortalities, Daniel Gascho, DVM, didn’t expect it to be anything unusual, but he found quite the opposite.
Emerging Diseases, FSVS, Global TOPICS, Gut Health, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, SVC, TOPICS, Videos
Swine dysentery makes an unwelcome comeback
Mar 17, 2020Susan Spiegel
Just when US pork producers thought swine dysentery was a problem of the past, it has re-emerged for an unwelcome encore in a slightly different form.
Grow-finish mortalities require fast action followed by prevention plan
Mar 16, 2020Susan Spiegel
Nothing grabs the attention of a grow-finish unit and its veterinarian faster than an uptick in mortalities.
Four Star Veterinary Service Pork Industry Conference postponed until July 21; same place, same speakers
Mar 16, 2020Susan Spiegel
Registration is now open for the 2020 Pork Industry Conference organized by Four Star Veterinary Service, a business with locations in five states and 17 veterinarians focused on pig health.
Lessons from the barn: Avoiding gremlins
Mar 11, 2020Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS,
Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.,
Carthage, Illinois
Tips for transitioning to ractopamine-free hog feed
Mar 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 18: An interview with Daniel Nelson, PhD, Senior Swine Nutritionist, Zoetis
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 4: News reports and interviews from AASV
Mar 09, 2020Susan Spiegel
The 2020 American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting is underway in Atlanta. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 3: News reports and interviews from AASV
Mar 09, 2020Susan Spiegel
The 2020 American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting is underway in Atlanta. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 2: News reports and interviews from AASV
Mar 07, 2020Susan Spiegel
The 2020 American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting is underway in Atlanta. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 1: News reports and interviews from AASV
Mar 07, 2020Susan Spiegel
The 2020 American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting begins today in Atlanta. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at...
Prepare for African swine fever outbreak with Secure Pork Supply plan
Mar 02, 2020Susan Spiegel
A growing threat of African swine fever (ASF) has convinced US pork producers to prepare for the worst with a Secure Pork Supply plan.
Biosecurity, FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Moving biosecurity from the farm to the feed mill
Feb 27, 2020Susan Spiegel
An effective biosecurity strategy is not a stagnant process. It is continuously influenced by changes in pig-flows, disease pressures, virus evolution, emerging health issues and more.
Feed mill biosecurity: Risk-based approach
Feb 27, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 1 of the interview on feed mill biosecurity.
Feed mill biosecurity: Tracking a PEDV outbreak
Feb 27, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 2 of the interview on feed mill biosecurity.
Feed mill biosecurity: Risks from feed ingredients
Feb 27, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 3 of the interview on feed mill biosecurity.
Do’s and don’ts of cephalosporin use in swine
Feb 26, 2020Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 15: An interview with John W. Hallberg, DVM, PhD, Director, US Regulatory Affairs, Zoetis
MetaStim®: The best balance of humoral, cellular immunity
Feb 21, 2020Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 17: An interview with Dennis Foss, DVM, PhD, Research Director, Zoetis Global Biologicals Swine
FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Ellis: No magic bullet to reduce pre-wean mortality
Feb 20, 2020Susan Spiegel
Pre-wean mortality has increased over the last 15 years, and it’s a major concern for US pork producers and veterinarians.
8 key factors drive success when raising pigs without antibiotics
Feb 18, 2020Susan Spiegel
Producers need to recognize there will always be health challenges when raising pigs without antibiotics. The goal is to resolve those challenges as they arise.
FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, PRRS, Research, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Outmaneuvering PRRSV requires a better understanding of genetic diversity
Feb 14, 2020Susan Spiegel
PRRSV is constantly evolving, resulting in an extremely diverse virus with multiple lineages, but building a better understanding of that genetic diversity is the next step to making real progress...
FSVS, Global TOPICS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOPICS, Videos
Deen: Apply old lessons to new technologies
Feb 12, 2020Susan Spiegel
Classical education emphasizes the need for industries to adopt new technologies to keep up with external demands and constantly changing economic environments.
Pollmann: Make the most of your human capital
Feb 06, 2020Susan Spiegel
The US pork industry is challenging under the best of circumstances, with enough variables to make even astute, savvy businesspeople cautious. However, one of the biggest components of a successful,...
Connor: Disease elimination can lower the cost of production
Feb 05, 2020Susan Spiegel
US producers have robust export markets and a lower cost of production than many other countries, but Joe Connor, DVM, says cost of production could be even lower.
Disease elimination: PED, deltacoronavirus, M. hyo, TGE
Feb 05, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 1 of the interview on the impact of disease elimination on the cost of production.
Disease elimination: Biosecurity still key
Feb 05, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 2 of the interview on the impact of disease elimination on the cost of production.
Disease elimination: Old diseases making a comeback
Feb 05, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 3 of the interview on the impact of disease elimination on the cost of production.
Tips to improve pen gestation for sows
Feb 03, 2020Susan Spiegel
Many pork producers successfully manage sows in group gestation pens after completing breeding and pregnancy checks in crates. Here are suggestions to help maximize sow productivity in pen gestation.
Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Growing Pigs, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, TOP NEWS, Videos
Lowering pre-wean mortality starts at day 1
Feb 03, 2020Susan Spiegel
Pre-wean mortality continues to be a challenge to producers across the industry as genetic improvements allow sows to be more prolific and achieve higher total born.
Michigan switches to pen gestation; Ohio is next
Jan 31, 2020Susan Spiegel
Hog operations in Michigan faced an April 1, 2020, deadline for switching from individual stalls to pens for sow gestation.
Lessons learned: How a modern hog farm in Russia recovered from ASF
Jan 22, 2020Susan Spiegel
China’s African swine fever epidemic may offer a grim view of life with the disease. But its neighbor Russia has proven recovery from ASF is possible.
New Individual Sow Care program from Zoetis aims to reduce losses, optimize performance and well-being
Jan 21, 2020Susan Spiegel
Looking to help the U.S. pork industry raise the bar for performance and reverse the surge in sow mortality rates, Zoetis has introduced Individual Sow Care.
Special Report: What’s behind the surge in sow mortality?
Jan 20, 2020Susan Spiegel
Sow mortality rates in the US have increased dramatically in recent years and now average about 15%. Pig Health Today talked with six experts about the alarming trend and, most important, what...
Pig Health Today launches Zoetis News Center
Jan 17, 2020Susan Spiegel
Pig Health Today has introduced the Zoetis News Center — a special section of the popular news website that features insights from Zoetis’ pig-health experts, plus updates on company-sponsored...
Veterinarian says VFD led to more strategic antibiotic use
Jan 16, 2020Susan Spiegel
The Food and Drug Administration’s revised rules for antibiotic use in hogs, including the VFD, has led to a reduction in and more strategic use of antibiotics in swine.
Strategies to move more pigs from birth to harvest
Jan 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Litter sizes on US hog farms have steadily increased, but that’s a good-news/bad-news development as those large litters often come at a price, which is more low-birthweight piglets.
Strategies to move more pigs: Low weight piglets have trouble surviving
Jan 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 1 of the interview on moving pigs from birth to harvest.
Strategies to move more pigs: Importance of nutrition
Jan 10, 2020Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 2 of the interview on moving pigs from birth to harvest.
PCV3 is ‘absolutely’ a pathogen but proceed with caution
Dec 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) is “absolutely” a pathogen but merely finding the virus isn’t enough to conclude it’s the cause of disease.
PCV3 is ‘absolutely’ a pathogen: Clinical picture is important
Dec 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 1 of the interview on PCV3.
PCV3 is ‘absolutely’ a pathogen: Diagnostics for PCV3
Dec 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 2 of the interview on PCV3.
PCV3 is ‘absolutely’ a pathogen: PCV3 and PCV2 similar in name only
Dec 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
Watch Part 3 of the interview on PCV3.
Comprehensive, data-driven approach to lower wean-finish mortality
Dec 23, 2019Susan Spiegel
Identifying the source of wean-to-finish mortality can be a challenge, since factors affecting that stage of production may have originated earlier — on the sow farm, in the farrowing barn or at...
Maintain mycoplasma-negative herds with laryngeal swab tests from incoming gilts
Dec 18, 2019Susan Spiegel
Sow farms that have eradicated M. hyo must continue surveillance to keep the pathogen out or the results will be devastating.
No. 1 biosecurity lesson: Never stop improving
Dec 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
The first lesson of biosecurity, according to Andrea Pitkin, DVM, health assurance veterinarian for PIC, is to learn, modify and adapt because new threats can surface at any time.
The Maschhoffs combine technology and coaching to build a biosecurity culture
Dec 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
Biosecurity on hog farms is serious business, and it’s no secret that success hinges on how well protocols are carried out. For years, emphasis has been on building a “biosecurity culture,” and...
PRRSV vaccine produces robust and lasting immune response when given to day-old piglets
Nov 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
A new study shows that piglets can mount a strong, specific and lasting immune response to PRRSV when vaccinated at 1 day of age.
Biosecurity, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, Respiratory Health, TOP NEWS, Videos
Fogging helps establish Day 0 for M. hyo elimination
Nov 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
Maintaining a healthy herd takes time, energy and constant emphasis on biosecurity, Amy Maschhoff, DVM, told Pig Health Today.
Special Report: What’s behind the surge in sow mortality?
Nov 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Part 1: Sow mortality: It wasn’t always this way
Nov 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Sow mortality rates in the US have increased dramatically in recent years and now average about 15%. Pig Health Today talked with six experts about the alarming trend and, most important, what...
Part 2: Sow mortality drivers
Nov 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Sow mortality rates in the US have increased dramatically in recent years and now average about 15%. Pig Health Today talked with six experts about the alarming trend and, most important, what...
Part 3: Reducing sow mortality begins with animal selection
Nov 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Sow mortality rates in the US have increased dramatically in recent years and now average about 15%. Pig Health Today talked with six experts about the alarming trend and, most important, what...
Part 4: Inflammation: A chronic problem for sows
Nov 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Sow mortality rates in the US have increased dramatically in recent years and now average about 15%. Pig Health Today talked with six experts about the alarming trend and, most important, what...
Part 5: Insights from a 5,000-sow, 62-farm survey on sow mortality
Nov 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Sow mortality rates in the US have increased dramatically in recent years and now average about 15%. Pig Health Today talked with six experts about the alarming trend and, most important, what...
Part 6: The importance of sow nutrition
Nov 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Sow mortality rates in the US have increased dramatically in recent years and now average about 15%. Pig Health Today talked with six experts about the alarming trend and, most important, what...
Part 7: Being proactive and focusing on individual sow care
Nov 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Sow mortality rates in the US have increased dramatically in recent years and now average about 15%. Pig Health Today talked with six experts about the alarming trend and, most important, what...
Breeding Herd, FSVS, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Researchers tackle survivability issues head-on
Nov 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
One in three pigs born on US farms fail to reach market, according to Jason Ross, PhD, a professor of animal physiology at Iowa State University and director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center.
Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Podcasts, Respiratory Health, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Mycoplasma elimination possible, but more difficult on farrow-to-finish sites
Nov 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
With the right program in place, eliminating mycoplasma pneumonia is possible on many hog farms.
Larger litters, more competition for colostrum make pigs more susceptible to clostridial enteritis
Nov 06, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Daniel A. Nelson, PhD,
Senior nutritionist, pork technical services,
Zoetis
Hit delete: Vet says you don’t have to live with mycoplasma
Nov 05, 2019Susan Spiegel
M. hyo is a bacterium that US producers don’t have to live with. Elimination can be successful and cost-effective.
Breeding Herd, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Sow pads show promise for reducing shoulder sores, related infections
Nov 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
During farrowing and lactation, sows can easily develop shoulder sores, which in turn become infected. Could a little padding help?
ASF protein discovery offers vaccine development potential
Oct 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Scientists have identified specific proteins in the African swine fever virus (ASF) that could pave the way for development of a vaccine against the deadly disease.
Pigs fed BMD® gain more weight faster despite stress in controlled studies
Oct 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 15: Grower pigs fed BMD® gained weight faster and had better feed efficiency compared to controls despite exposure to commonly encountered production stressors, studies show.
Reading pigs’ emotions could speed up disease treatments
Oct 23, 2019Susan Spiegel
Technology which can detect emotion on pigs’ faces could help farmers identify and treat sick animals before illnesses really take hold.
Population-based diagnostics pinpoint the power in numbers
Oct 20, 2019Susan Spiegel
The world of diagnostics is expanding. Instead of focusing on individual animals, population-based diagnostics help veterinarians and producers identify the health status of their barns more quickly...
Biosecurity: A practical approach
Oct 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS, Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd.. Carthage, Illinois
Foreign animal diseases and the line of last resort
Oct 06, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Larry Rueff, DVM, Swine Veterinary Services, Greensburg, Indiana
Medicating mothers could help limit piglet pain
Oct 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
Administering medicine through nursing sows could help improve piglet welfare by limiting the pain they feel during procedures such as teeth clipping and tail docking.
Researchers expand understanding of virus transmission in feed
Oct 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
As African swine fever virus continues to march across the globe, the US pork sector is laser focused on keeping it from reaching the homeland.
Is fogging an M. hyo-elimination option for your swine herd?
Sep 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Paul Yeske, DVM, with the Swine Vet Center in St. Peter, Minn., has seen repeatable success with M. hyo elimination, along with the downstream effect of lower cost of production, better average daily...
Feed, water, air and comfort: Keys to prevent tail biting
Sep 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
Tail biting in pigs remains something of a mystery. What triggers a pig or pigs to bite tails? Why do some express this vice and others do not?
It’s back: Clinical outbreak of PCV2 in genetic herds reported
Sep 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
A clinical outbreak of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) occurred this past winter in otherwise healthy, well-vaccinated herds, Clayton Johnson, DVM, of Carthage Veterinary Service, told Pig Health...
Rate of PCV2 recombination not widely recognized
Sep 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 16: An interview with Meggan Bandrick, DVM, PhD Associate Director, Global Biologics Research, Zoetis
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 4: Leman Swine Conference
Sep 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
The 2019 Leman Swine Conference is under way in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2018 coverage.
Processing fluids’ effectiveness in monitoring PCV2 in sow herds
Sep 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
Vaccines have provided effective control options for PCV2, but vertical transmission remains a challenge for some farms.
Steps to mitigate cross-contamination of piglet processing fluids with PRRS MLV
Sep 09, 2019Susan Spiegel
As piglets move from the sow farm to the growing stage, it’s important to know their porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) status.
Survey says: RWA production adversely affects pig health and welfare
Sep 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
Swine producers and veterinarians responding to a national survey said pressure to maintain the raised without antibiotics (RWA) label sometimes compromises animal health and welfare.
Carthage swine veterinarian: Focus on individual pig care can benefit entire production system
Aug 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
Taking care of every single pig seems like a daunting task when producers have hundreds or thousands of pigs under their care. Still, the rewards are well worth the effort.
Pipestone nutritionist highlights advancements to improve pig health
Aug 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Producers know if a pig has good gut health in the nursery, it’s more likely to get off to a good start in the grow-finish barn. But with increased pressure on antibiotic use, nutritionists are...
Global TOPICS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, Research, SVC, TOPICS, Videos
Phase I of pelvic organ prolapse study offers new insights
Aug 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
A pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a dramatic, easy-to-identify event within the farrowing room. The difficult part is figuring out the cause and applying a solution.
On the road again? Be careful not to pig out
Aug 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
Swine veterinarians putting in long days on the road caring for pigs should be just as cognizant of their own health and nutritional needs.
Smithfield veterinarian aims to connect dots on animal welfare
Aug 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
For Mary Battrell, DVM, a swine veterinarian for Smithfield Foods, animal welfare is the connection between animal health, well-being and performance; and optimizing that connection improves...
High health herd helps Finnish producers tackle tail biting challenge
Aug 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
Focusing on running high-health herds and lowering stress levels is helping hog farmers in Finland prevent tail biting in non-docked pigs.
Positive interactions with sows reduce piglet crushing
Aug 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
Encouraging staff to have more direct involvement with managing and handling sows can have positive impacts on herd welfare and mortality rates, say scientists.
Impact of control options for Streptococcus suis and Haemophilus parasuis
Aug 12, 2019Susan Spiegel
Helping piglets make a smooth transition at weaning is always a priority, but bacterial pathogens such as Streptococcus suis and Haemophilus parasuis can make that goal particularly challenging.
Debriefing: Retrospective on the VFD experience
Aug 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Clayton Johnson, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service
Integrated Veterinary Network
Processing fluids hold promise for PCV2 testing on sow farms
Aug 06, 2019Susan Spiegel
Understanding the pathogen status of a sow herd helps determine the prevention, control and treatment options to protect piglets as they grow. For PCV2 there is no treatment; however, vaccination is...
PRRS in growing pigs linked to sow outbreaks
Jul 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in growing pigs may play an important role in PRRS outbreaks among sow herds.
Comprehensive management plan critical to piglet survival
Jul 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
Having a clear plan in place to manage sows and piglets before, during and after farrowing is critical to increasing piglet survival and maintaining sow health.
Does PRRS influence weaned pigs’ nutritional response?
Jul 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
In the past 30 years, the growth and body composition of US market hogs has changed dramatically, but the same cannot be said for dietary vitamin and mineral levels.
A simple scoring system can provide insights into tail biting and lameness
Jul 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
Tail biting and lameness directly impact the well-being of growing pigs, which in turn impacts their productivity and the farm’s economics.
Resurgence of ‘old’ bacterial diseases in pigs: Why?
Jul 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
Three bacterial diseases considered under control recently flared up creating new challenges in hog operations. The older diseases include Haemophilus parasuis (parasuis), Streptococcus suis (strep)...
Know the feed risk factors for African swine fever
Jul 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
As African swine fever (ASF) continues its insidious spread through China and surrounding countries, the need to keep it out of US herds becomes more imperative.
Castration Alternatives, FSVS, Global TOPICS, Interviews, News, Pain Management, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOPICS, Videos
Pork industry makes progress on pain management
Jul 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
Pain management for pigs has always been a challenge, partly because it’s difficult to measure levels of pain and partly because there are no FDA-approved drugs labeled for pain management in pigs.
Aureomycin® granular premix retained higher potency than Terramycin® meal premix in study
Jul 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 2: The particle size and distribution of a medicated-feed premix can dramatically affect how much active ingredient ends up in a pig’s digestive tract for disease treatment or...
National ASF-surveillance plan: What you need to know
Jul 08, 2019Susan Spiegel
The pork industry leans heavily on diagnostics to minimize the impact of disease, but they’re especially critical for monitoring African swine fever (ASF) and other trade-limiting foreign animal...
Data show filtered farms break less often with PRRS
Jul 05, 2019Susan Spiegel
Nine years of data from the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project show farms with air-filtering systems have fewer outbreaks of PRRS than farms without filters.
African swine fever, Strep suis hot topics at 2019 Leman Conference
Jun 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
The threat of African swine fever and its impact on the global protein market will be among several keynote lectures planned during the upcoming 2019 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference in St. Paul,...
Connor: ASF fears prompting broader view of biosecurity
Jun 24, 2019Susan Spiegel
Maintaining good biosecurity has long been key to advancing the health, well-being and productivity of hog farms, but the threat of African swine fever has raised the bar and prompted veterinarians...
Adequate gilt acclimation helps minimize the PRRSV ‘tax’
Jun 21, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Clayton Johnson, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service
Integrated Veterinary Network
Summer Solstice Special: Managing Heat Stress in Pigs
Jun 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Behold the Summer Solstice, a good time to think about the hot, steamy days ahead and how they'll affect swine health, welfare and performance. Pig Health Today talked with experts about helping pigs...
Antibiotic Management, Global TOP NEWS, Interviews, News, PGT GLOBAL, PGT US, Pig Care, Podcasts, SVC, TOP NEWS, Videos
Davies: Focus on optimizing antibiotic use, not volume
Jun 17, 2019Susan Spiegel
The US pork industry has a good track record for using antibiotics responsibly, but how should it be graded for its efforts? By volume? Types of antibiotics used? Resistance trends?
Ractopamine has little influence on iodine value in pig fat carcass
Jun 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 14: An interview with Daniel Nelson, PhD, PAS, Senior Swine Nutritionist, Zoetis
Optimizing nutrition key to unlocking full benefits of immunocastration
Jun 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
An alternative technique to physical castration could offer US hog producers a host of financial and management benefits.
On the road again? Don’t forget Pig Health Today podcasts
Jun 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
Most of Pig Health Today’s video interviews with leading health experts and other opinion leaders can be downloaded as podcasts and listened to on mobile devices or through audio systems of most...
Five challenges facing swine veterinarians — and how to address them
Jun 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
Today’s swine veterinarians are great multitaskers by necessity, said Deborah Murray, DVM, veterinary services manager, with New Fashion Pork, Jackson, Minnesota, at the 2019 AASV meeting.
SPECIAL REPORT: Thanks for the memories: Highlights from our 2018 World Pork Expo coverage
Jun 05, 2019Susan Spiegel
Like the rest of the industry, we miss being in Des Moines this week for World Pork Expo. Here are a few highlights from Pig Health Today's 2018 coverage -- proof that some stuff never gets old.
Early identification key to managing lameness in sow herds
May 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Claire LeFevre, DVM, Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd., Carthage, Illinois
Feed-mill biosecurity critical to reducing disease transmission
May 29, 2019Susan Spiegel
Feed and feed ingredients are generating a lot of interest as possible vectors in transmitting swine diseases.
Some aspects of Senecavirus A continue to mystify researchers
May 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
While the spikes of Senecavirus A have plateaued in recent years, researchers in the pork industry are still confounded by the elusive virus and what triggers outbreaks.
Emerging technologies at AASV: Four new tools to boost efficiency
May 21, 2019Susan Spiegel
Between tight margins and constant herd-health challenges, pork producers are always looking for new ways to increase efficiencies and profits while also increasing transparency.
Senecavirus A: Several questions remain unanswered
May 20, 2019Susan Spiegel
Senecavirus A (SVA) is detected in a pig’s tonsils about 40 days after infection with the virus — a finding that raises some interesting questions.
Emerging technologies at AASV: Three cool tools headed to hog farms
May 15, 2019Susan Spiegel
The so-called Internet of Things — that emerging world in which everyday tools like thermostats and doorbells suddenly become indispensable smart devices — is not lost on the pork industry.
Aureomix S provides effective replacement for Mecadox
May 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 12: An interview with Thomas Painter, DVM, Senior Technical Service Veterinarian,Zoetis
Picking your battles is key to biosecurity success
May 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
Biosecurity is one of those on-farm topics that gets a lot of time and attention, but it can easily fall apart in the day-to-day reality of managing pigs.
Simpler, less costly monitoring methods helping pork industry get a better read on PRRS
May 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
Newer testing methods for the PRRS virus are not only simpler and less costly than traditional procedures, they are also helping farms more accurately track the virus through different production...
Today’s forecast: Scattered PRRS outbreaks with isolated sprinkles of PED
May 08, 2019Susan Spiegel
Forecasting swine-disease outbreaks might become a lot like predicting the weather as scientists combine monitoring disease data with computer models.
What to do when emotions run high in a disease break
May 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
Any way you look at it, going through a disease break on a farm is difficult. “The pigs are easy; it’s the people that make things difficult.”
Reducing stress can aid pig health, performance
May 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
Pigs can get stressed, just like people, and the impact can be just as serious.
Peroneal-scoring-first-clue-to-pelvic-organ-prolapse-in-sow-mortality-project/
Apr 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
Perineal scoring first clue to pelvic-organ prolapse in sow-mortality project
Apr 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
A large research project involving 104 US sow farms and 400,000 sows is expected to identify factors related to the recent increase in sow mortalities caused by pelvic-organ prolapses.
Good hygiene key to health and performance in fattening units, scientists find
Apr 26, 2019Susan Spiegel
Investing in biosecurity in fattening units could see Europe’s pig sector increase its earnings by billions of Euros a year thanks to improved pig health and growth rates.
Why do summer PRRS breaks last longer than winter breaks?
Apr 24, 2019Susan Spiegel
Summer outbreaks of PRRS take 15 weeks longer to stabilize than PRRS outbreaks beginning in the winter, according to data from the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project (MSHMP).
Estrus suppression boosts gilt welfare, productivity in Canada
Apr 23, 2019Susan Spiegel
Delaying sexual maturity in gilts is helping pig producers in Canada streamline their production systems while improving carcass quality and animal welfare.
Imported feed ingredients: Supplier’s sourcing, biosecurity, shipping vital to product integrity, safety
Apr 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
Brian Payne, DVM, technical services veterinarian at Zoetis, recently talked with editors of Pig Health Today about African swine fever (ASF) and the possible risks of importing the virus through...
The changing face of PCV: Virus experts compare notes on evolving pathogen in US swine herds
Apr 17, 2019Susan Spiegel
Clinical disease due to porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has been dramatically reduced thanks to vaccination, but concern remains about the persistence of PCV2 subclinical infection, even in...
Lincomix offers flexible dose rate for M. hyo
Apr 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 7: An interview with
Thomas Painter, DVM, US Pork Technical Services, Zoetis
What’s your ‘risk attitude’? The role of human behavior in biosecurity
Apr 15, 2019Susan Spiegel
How human behavior impacts biosecurity decisions is a new frontier that’s critical to producers.
AVMA releases first-ever guidelines for depopulation of animals
Apr 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
The AVMA has published its first ever Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals to help veterinarians support animal welfare in situations where the difficult decision to depopulate has been made.
Multiple infections? It’s important to get to the root cause
Apr 08, 2019Susan Spiegel
Disease management can be challenging. You have a list of possible causes, but unless you get to the root cause, those symptoms are likely to recur.
Why did sow-mortality rates jump to 15%?
Apr 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
The spike in sow-mortality rates over the past decade has prompted the US pork industry to hunt for answers.
Secure Pork Supply plan updated to meet changing FAD needs
Apr 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
With African swine fever (ASF) well established in China and parts of Europe, US pork producers need to take steps now to protect their interests in the face of an outbreak.
Dee: Mitigants combined with extended storage time help guard against virus transmission
Apr 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
Feed additives that mitigate viruses, combined with extended storage times, could help protect the US pork industry from African swine fever and other foreign animal diseases.
Castration alternative offers faster growth, more quality meat in study
Apr 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
A novel castration alternative allows male pigs to grow faster and produce more high-quality meat than physically castrated or entire hogs, a new analysis shows.
Understanding feed flow, biosecurity critical in ASF battle
Apr 01, 2019Susan Spiegel
The US pork industry is nervous about African swine fever (ASF) and other foreign animal diseases entering the country — and for good reason.
Can’t we just let boars be boars?
Mar 28, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Larry Rueff, DVM
Swine Veterinary Services
Greensburg, Indiana
Action plan, training keys to humane euthanasia of pigs
Mar 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
A critical part of humane animal care on pig farms is responsible and timely euthanasia. However, identifying individuals for the job, training them and having a plan to carry out the process can...
Inflammation, stress put pressure on sow longevity
Mar 25, 2019Susan Spiegel
In recent years, producers have focused on pigs per sow per year and number of pigs weaned to maximize profits, but increased litter size puts pressure on sow longevity.
USDA expands ASF awareness tools to keep the virus out of the US
Mar 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
USDA has committed new resources to raising the awareness of African swine fever (ASF) and the importance of keeping the virus from entering the US.
Are you giving M. hyo the attention it deserves?
Mar 19, 2019Susan Spiegel
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) isn’t a new problem in the pork industry. I’s been around for years, but that’s exactly the point: Why is the industry still wrestling with it?
PRRS vaccine overcomes maternal immunity in day-old piglets
Mar 18, 2019Susan Spiegel
A new vaccine for PRRS has been shown to overcome maternal immunity in newborn piglets, offering protection from this costly disease from before weaning through slaughter.
Committing time, attention to pig’s first 24 hours key to health, uniformity
Mar 18, 2019Susan Spiegel
The farrowing room is a demanding place — one that needs to accommodate the divergent needs of a 500+-pound sow and her 10, 15 or 20 piglets weighing anywhere from 1.5 to 3 pounds.
Carthage vets focusing on ‘regional’ IAV-S vaccination strategies for breeding herds
Mar 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
As influenza viruses evolve, is there a more effective way to manage vaccinations for influenza A virus in swine?
New technologies may yield new insights on antibiotic use, resistance
Mar 15, 2019Susan Spiegel
The pork industry has a reputation for using antibiotics responsibly, but when the industry looks at antimicrobial use and tries to understand how products either mitigate or promote resistance,...
Two-dose Fostera® Gold PCV MH regimen yields performance advantages
Mar 15, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 16: Pigs in a study that received two doses of Fostera® Gold PCV MH, the new Zoetis vaccine for PCV2 and M. hyo, had numerically fewer reactions, less morbidity, less mortality.
Mycoplasma control starts with stabilizing sow herd
Mar 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
Economic losses caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae run between $3 to $10 per finishing hog due to reduced pig performance, according to Elise Toohill, DVM, Carthage Veterinary Service.
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 4: Interviews from AASV
Mar 11, 2019Susan Spiegel
The 2019 American Association of Swine Veterinarians conference is under way. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2018...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 2: Interviews from AASV
Mar 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
The 2019 American Association of Swine Veterinarians is under way. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2018 coverage. (Part...
Roundtable: Industry structure, culture, wild boars team up to intensify ASF threat in China
Mar 09, 2019Susan Spiegel
The discovery of African swine fever (ASF) in China’s wild boar population in late 2018 adds a new dimension to the already ominous disease threat — one that could possibly leave the Chinese to...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 1: Interviews from AASV
Mar 08, 2019Susan Spiegel
The 2019 American Association of Swine Veterinarians is under way. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing interviews for future posts. Here's a look back at our 2018 coverage. (Part...
USDA steps up measures to prevent ASF spread to the US
Mar 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
As the spread of African swine fever (ASF) across Asia shows no signs of slowing, US pork producers have watched with a nervous eye toward international commerce and travel.
Australia’s experience with castration alternative should give global confidence, producer says
Mar 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
Australian consumer acceptance of a technology that offers an alternative to physical castration should give more pork producers the confidence to use it, says one of Australia’s leading pork...
Is it time to eliminate PED from US herds?
Mar 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
By Joseph F. Connor, DVM, MS, Carthage Veterinary Service, Ltd., Carthage, Illinois
Webb: FAD outbreak could be financially crippling for US pork industry
Mar 03, 2019Susan Spiegel
A single reported incident of a trade-limiting foreign animal disease (FAD) would devastate the US pork industry, perhaps causing billions of dollars in losses.
M. hyo treatment with Draxxin® plays important role in SRD management
Mar 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 14: Pigs treated for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) with a single dose of the injectable antimicrobial Draxxin® (tulathromycin) had significantly better average daily gain and...
Gene editing offers future options to address swine diseases
Mar 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
Whether the focus is human or animal medicine, gene editing has created a buzz today about its potential for addressing numerous health issues.
Field studies demonstrate safety of Fostera® Gold PCV MH vaccine
Mar 01, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 5: Fostera® Gold PCV MH, the new inactivated vaccine from Zoetis developed to provide the broadest protection available against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), has been...
Evolution of PCV2 virus, need for broader coverage spurred development of Fostera® Gold PCV MH
Mar 01, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 7: Compelling scientific evidence indicating the need for an updated porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccine was the driving force behind the development of Fostera® Gold PCV...
Fostera® Gold PCV MH protects pigs against PCV2a, PCV2b and M. hyo for at least 23 weeks
Mar 01, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 8: Fostera® Gold PCV MH is the only USDA-licensed vaccine that protects pigs against porcine circovirus (PCV) type 2a, PCV2b and M. hyo for at least 23 weeks.
New PCV2 vaccine for swine elicits strong cell-mediated immune response
Feb 28, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 9: A new porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccine from Zoetis produces a robust and lasting cell-mediated immune response.
One dose of Draxxin® at weaning for SRD yields multiple benefit
Feb 28, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 13: Pigs from herds with a natural outbreak of swine respiratory disease (SRD) had significantly better outcomes when they received just one injection of Draxxin® (tulathromycin)...
Antimicrobial’s unique attributes explain efficacy against key SRD pathogens
Feb 28, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 12: The efficacy of Draxxin® (tulathromycin) against key swine respiratory disease (SRD) pathogens is largely due to the antimicrobial’s ability to reach and sustain high...
Animal welfare key to pork producers’ continuous improvement
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
Animal well-being is not a new concept and has long been a priority on hog farms. “It’s one of the ethical principles within the industry’s We Care initiative,” said Sherry Webb,...
‘One Health’ approach needed to balance antibiotic usage, animal welfare
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
When it comes to responsible antibiotic management, there are wide-ranging views and interpretations on usage, impact, future direction and even terminology.
FDA’s antibiotic guidance and VFDs continue a smooth transition
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
It’s fast approaching 2 years since the FDA implemented its revised guidance for antibiotic use in food animals. At the center of the effort is the veterinary feed directive (VFD).
Why sows leave the herd: Biological priorities and productivity
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
When it comes to sow productivity, culling and mortality issues, “the simple answer is there’s no simple answer,” John Deen, DVM, University of Minnesota swine epidemiologist, told Pig Health...
Keep guard up for strep, parasuis in newly weaned pigs
Feb 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
Newly weaned pigs face many challenges — new environment, feed, pen mates. They also face the challenge of bacterial infections like strep and parasuis, the two most common systemic bacterial...
Strategies to weaken PRRS’ grip on US herds
Feb 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
After more than three decades, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) remains a serious disease threat to swine units in the US.
Producer priorities drive NPB swine-health research
Feb 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
There’s no shortage of swine-health issues that would benefit from research investment, but when it comes to allocating Pork Checkoff funds, producers make the decisions.
Whole-herd vaccination critical to long-term PRRS management
Feb 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
Vaccinating entire herds against PRRS is crucial to ensuring the virus doesn’t become untreatable in the future, says a UK veterinarian.
New council to direct swine-disease response
Feb 21, 2019Susan Spiegel
For years, the USDA and US pork industry have had plans in place to address a foreign animal disease, but PED and ASF developments raised the priority status to a new level.
Rapid Response Plan offers CSI team for emerging diseases
Feb 18, 2019Susan Spiegel
Determining the cause of a peculiar health condition in pigs is not unlike a crime scene investigation (CSI). The veterinarian, producer and diagnosticians search for clues into what, how and why the...
Tale of two viruses: PCV3 impact unknown while PCV2 continues to evolve
Feb 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
Genetic sequencing demonstrates that porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) is significantly different from PCV2, but otherwise little is known about the virus.
A question of when: How the US pork industry is preparing for a possible FAD outbreak
Feb 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
This is the second in a two-part series on foreign animal diseases. Part 1 looks at the economic impact of a FAD outbreak.
Special report: FAD outbreak could cost US agriculture $200 billion over 10 years
Feb 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
This is the first in a two-part series on foreign animal diseases. Part 2 looks at what the US pork industry is doing to head off an FAD outbreak and to prepare for one.
How FADs have affected foreign markets
Feb 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
Since the middle of the 20th century, numerous foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks involving the pork industry have been recorded throughout the world.
Shifting consumer trends require a more open dialogue
Feb 06, 2019Susan Spiegel
Baby boomers have long dominated the retail marketplace — and they’ve been loyal meat customers. But that dynamic is shifting as millennial and younger shoppers, who are less committed to meat as...
Simple biosecurity measures offer significant production gains, scientists say
Feb 06, 2019Susan Spiegel
Taking simple steps to improve biosecurity and welfare on pig farms can significantly reduce the amount of antimicrobials farmers need to administer, scientists say.
Veterinarian sees changes to three high-risk swine diseases
Feb 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
Three diseases affecting finishing hogs — Senecavirus A, porcine sapelovirus and erysipelas — have undergone changes over the past year that warrant the pork industry’s attention.
BMD®: What is its future in pork production?
Feb 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 5: An interview with Daniel Nelson, PhD, PAS, Senior Swine Nutritionist, Zoetis
Industry and government must help producers prepare for new German castration ban, pig vet says
Jan 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
With new legislation in Germany banning castration without full anesthesia starting in 2021, the time for producers to make changes is now, a swine veterinarian says.
Managing pain, Strep suis infection in baby pigs critical for welfare
Jan 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
The US pork industry has demonstrated high standards for animal welfare, but there is still much to learn about mitigating pain — not only during processing, but also pain resulting from Strep...
Don’t lose sight of M. hyo while battling other swine pathogens
Jan 28, 2019Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 1: An interview with
Lucina Galina Pantoja, DVM, PhD,
Director, Swine Technical Services,
Zoetis
Researchers create algorithm to predict PEDV outbreaks
Jan 24, 2019Susan Spiegel
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed an algorithm that could give pig farms advance notice of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) outbreaks.
Finding ‘root of the problem’ key in herds with multiple disease challenges
Jan 24, 2019Susan Spiegel
New diagnostic tools have helped the pork industry get a better handle on disease monitoring, but how do you prioritize when multiple pathogens have infected the herd?
Connor: No clear winner in pen- versus crate-gestation debate
Jan 22, 2019Susan Spiegel
Sow housing during gestation continues to draw debate as some hog operations make a switch from crates to pens for gestation. The results are mixed.
Nerem: Shift focus to responsible antibiotic use, not arbitrary reductions
Jan 16, 2019Susan Spiegel
Some retailers and foodservice companies are asking for animals that have never received antibiotics (“no antibiotics ever” or NAE), but that request fails to recognize that animals — like...
Long duration of antibiotic helps improve clinical outcome after APP challenge
Jan 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 10: Pigs treated with one intramuscular dose of Draxxin® (tulathromycin) and then challenged with a virulent strain of APP had significantly reduced mortality and lung lesions...
Five-site study demonstrates efficacy of Draxxin® for SRD
Jan 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 11: A five-site study of pigs with swine respiratory disease (SRD) demonstrates that one dose of Draxxin® (tulathromycin) not only lowers mortality, it can significantly improve...
Yeske: Multiple factors contributing to rising sow-mortality rates
Jan 14, 2019Susan Spiegel
The spike in sow-mortality rates in recent years has everyone in the US pork industry searching for answers. Don’t expect any simple solutions, however.
Veterinarian says both pigs, caregivers suffered in antibiotic-free study
Jan 10, 2019Susan Spiegel
A study looking at how pigs challenged with PRRS performed in an antibiotic-free production setting needed to be stopped for welfare reasons so the pigs could be treated with antibiotics.
Enriching sow environment and diet improves sow welfare, early piglet survival
Jan 08, 2019Susan Spiegel
New research confirms that environmental stress during gestation can influence piglet health and mortality after birth.
Streptococcus suis leads SHIC’s Swine Bacterial Disease Matrix list
Jan 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
Viruses tend to get first priority when it comes to monitoring swine diseases and herd health, but bacteria can wreak just as much havoc.
Tails or testicles: Which are better for PRRSV monitoring?
Jan 04, 2019Susan Spiegel
Pooled serum samples are a common method to monitor PPRSV in piglets. But this typically involves a limited number of samples, which reduces the sensitivity and makes detection especially challenging...
Knock, knock: Swine veterinarian shares experiences from VFD audit
Jan 02, 2019Susan Spiegel
When Peter Schneider, DVM, heard FDA auditors were at the door to see the operation’s VFDs, he remembers feeling a little nervous.
PED — live with it or eliminate it?
Dec 26, 2018Susan Spiegel
The porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus that devastated the US swine industry several years ago continues to persist, causing fewer pig deaths but curtailing pig growth.
Tyson VP: ‘Antibiotic issue is far from black and white’
Dec 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Producer and consumer choice are equally important when it comes to producing quality pork products — and it’s important not to put limits on either of them, according to Kent Harrison, vice...
Veterinarian: ‘Take PED seriously and get it cleaned up’
Dec 18, 2018Susan Spiegel
After a few years of limited activity, PED remained quiet in southwest Minnesota until last spring, when four sow farms in southwest Minnesota broke with the disease.
Parvovirus still poses threat to breeding herd
Dec 14, 2018Susan Spiegel
For as long as anyone can remember, pork producers have vaccinated gilts for parvovirus. Now that outbreaks are rare, is it necessary to vaccinate the entire breeding herd?
Raising pigs without antibiotics? Plan to ‘sweat the small stuff’
Dec 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Follow this rule if you’re raising pigs without antibiotics: “Sweat the small stuff.” That’s the advice from Doug MacDougald, DVM, for any farm that wants to eliminate antibiotics without...
Communication key to consumer acceptance of modern pig production
Dec 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
The pig industry needs to be more open about intensive production systems if consumers are to be more accepting of modern pig production, a new study confirms.
SHIC establishes diagnostic strategies to get ahead of disease
Dec 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
If knowledge is power, being prepared is security. Both are drivers behind the Swine Health Information Center’s (SHIC) program to share information among the nation’s four major swine veterinary...
Pork industry needs to balance animal well-being with antibiotic pressures
Dec 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
After 37 years of swine veterinary practice, John Baker, DVM, Boonville, Indiana, sees producers and veterinarians entering a new era in antibiotic management — one that focuses not on arbitrarily...
Castration alternative boosting efficiency, quality and welfare in Brazil
Dec 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pig producers in Brazil are improving efficiency, quality and welfare standards thanks to a novel alternative to physical castration, says a prominent swine veterinarian and meat scientist.
Castration alternative boosting efficiency, quality and welfare in Brazil
Dec 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pig producers in Brazil are improving efficiency, quality and welfare standards thanks to a novel alternative to physical castration, says a prominent swine veterinarian and meat scientist.
Brenneman: ‘Have conversations about what’s going on at the farm’
Dec 03, 2018Susan Spiegel
The pork industry needs to do a better job telling its story — particularly about how it is improving, evolving and serving the best interests of consumers, producer Erin Brenneman told Pig Health...
17 years of detective work, shared experiences helping pork industry get ahead of PRRS
Nov 29, 2018Susan Spiegel
The evolution of knowledge about PRRS is now enabling pork producers and their veterinarians to make headway combatting this difficult and costly disease.
Scientist ‘pops the hood’ on US pork industry’s newest vaccine for PCV2
Nov 28, 2018Susan Spiegel
What is “cell-mediated immunity” and how does it affect vaccine performance? Are two PCV2 genotypes necessarily better than one? And what does a monster from Greek mythology have to do with...
Part 1: Cell-mediated immunity critical to vaccine performance
Nov 28, 2018Susan Spiegel
What is “cell-mediated immunity” and how does it affect vaccine performance? Are two PCV2 genotypes necessarily better than one? And what does a monster from Greek mythology have to do with...
Part 2: Why two PCV2 genotypes are better than one
Nov 28, 2018Susan Spiegel
What is “cell-mediated immunity” and how does it affect vaccine performance? Are two PCV2 genotypes necessarily better than one? And what does a monster from Greek mythology have to do with...
Part 3: Chimeric vaccines combine strengths of each antigen to provide better coverage
Nov 28, 2018Susan Spiegel
What is “cell-mediated immunity” and how does it affect vaccine performance? Are two PCV2 genotypes necessarily better than one? And what does a monster from Greek mythology have to do with...
Good nutrition, management can’t replace antibiotics, but they can help reduce the need
Nov 26, 2018Susan Spiegel
Producers looking to raise pigs with little or no antibiotics should consider nutritional strategies that help pigs build more immunity, according to Mike Tokach, PhD.
Veterinarians in best position to be ‘ambassadors’ for antimicrobials in pork production
Nov 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Veterinarians can leverage their credibility to help consumers understand the complexity of the decision-making process for antimicrobials used in pork production.
ASF threat: Three US swine vets share insights from the frontline
Nov 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
The rapid spread of ASF throughout China and other regions of the world has raised concerns the disease will ultimately make its way to the US — a development that could cripple the nation’s pork...
Flies ‘possible route’ of African swine fever spread
Nov 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Flies that have been in contact with swine infected with African swine fever (ASF) could be responsible for spreading the disease between herds.
Z-CAS helping feed mills, producers get the most from medicated feed additives
Nov 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 6: An interview with Marc Howerton,
Customer Analytical Services Supervisor,
Zoetis
Herd performance best measure of PRRS vaccine efficacy
Nov 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
TOOLBOX, Issue 9: An interview with
Jose Angulo, DVM,
PRRS Specialist,
Managing Veterinarian,
Zoetis
Ileitis: Is it possible to control in baby pigs without antibiotics?
Nov 07, 2018Susan Spiegel
Ileitis may be a ubiquitous disease in grow-finish pigs, but with changes in on-farm antibiotic use it could become a new, more common challenge in the nursery period.
See it, do it, teach it: Veterinarian offers tips for caregiver training
Nov 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
When you give someone something to read, the expressed competency level is about 10%. When you talk to them on the phone, it’s only 20%. But if that person sees a colleague do something a certain...
FAD expert fields questions of ASF diagnostic preparedness, surveillance and response
Oct 31, 2018Susan Spiegel
Effectively addressing a foreign animal diseases such as African swine fever will take a unified effort between the US pork industry and the local, state and federal government if the deadly virus...
Tackling PRRS: Managing outbreaks to limit damage
Oct 22, 2018Susan Spiegel
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a virus that can take a significant toll on pig producers due to reproductive losses, decreased performance and damaging secondary infections....
Needles & Sins: Sloppy vaccination protocols can jeopardize herd health, welfare, returns
Oct 19, 2018Susan Spiegel
Nick Zanger learned a few tough lessons about vaccine protocols shortly after he started managing three 2,500-head nursery-to-finishing buildings near Loraine, Illinois.
Strep suis resurfacing to challenge high-health herds
Oct 11, 2018Susan Spiegel
What’s old is new again — or at least that’s what some high-health herds are finding with Streptococcus suis (Strep suis).
Castration rule change a chance for Europe’s producers to get ‘smarter, faster’
Oct 11, 2018Susan Spiegel
Changes to rules around pig castration in Europe should be viewed as an opportunity to improve welfare and efficiencies rather than a problem producers need to overcome, says a pig health expert.
Quarantine window for feed ingredients may reduce hog disease risk
Oct 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Foreign animal diseases (FAD) are top of mind as the ongoing outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in China, Belgium and elsewhere, have raised the stakes to implement new practices designed to...
Processing fluids helping to fine tune diagnostics in swine herds thought to be PRRS-negative
Oct 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Collecting aggregate samples of processing fluids during tail docking and castration is proving to be an excellent way to monitor herds for porcine reproductive and respiratory disease (PRRS) virus,...
Monitor growth restrictions to improve long-term piglet success
Oct 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
Tracking signs of pre-natal growth restriction in piglets could help producers select sows that are likely to have healthier offspring with lower rates of mortality, scientists say.
Seven tips for fine tuning sow feed efficiency
Oct 09, 2018Susan Spiegel
Want to know what’s really impacting your bottom line? Get down to slat level, says a sow-management specialist. That’s where the less obvious feed-related factors could be stealing your ROI.
Mass vaccination with modified-live PRRSV vaccine has no significant production impact in stable herds
Oct 08, 2018Susan Spiegel
Mass vaccination with a modified-live porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccine has no significant negative impact on production performance in PRRSV-stable breeding herds,...
African Swine Fever could cost assorted industries billions of dollars
Oct 03, 2018Susan Spiegel
If the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus enters the United States, the repercussions will be felt throughout the agriculture sector and beyond.
Locking out PDCOV requires attention to biosecurity detail
Oct 01, 2018Susan Spiegel
Porcine delta coronavirus (PDCOV) may not be as devastating as its relative, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), but the negative impact on production is motivation enough to work to lock it out...
Five ways to get better returns on your swine-health program
Sep 26, 2018Susan Spiegel
The pork industry uses a wide variety of vaccinations and medications for managing viral and bacterial diseases. Micah Jansen, DVM, Zoetis, identifies five areas where producers can improve returns...
Good data key to making sound PRRS decisions
Sep 25, 2018Susan Spiegel
Implementing metrics and utilizing predictive analytics can help pork producers improve their management of PRRS.
Pavlovic: Today’s PED outbreaks may be mild but still hurt profitability
Sep 24, 2018Susan Spiegel
Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus may not be as devastating to hogs today as it was a few years ago, but it still damages the bottom line, according to Lynn Pavlovic, DVM, Iowa Select Farms.
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 4: Leman Swine Conference
Sep 18, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 Leman Swine Conference is under way in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing video interviews for future posts. Here are some highlights from our 2017...
Enrichment helps reduce sow stress and piglet mortality
Sep 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
Enriching sow environments during pregnancy can help improve sow welfare and increase piglet survival, scientists say.
Improving welfare leads to higher herd performance
Sep 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
Measures to improve animal welfare on hog farms can improve — rather than jeopardize — economic performance of herds, scientists have discovered.
3D cameras help limit tail biting in pigs
Sep 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
A high-tech system which uses 3D cameras to spot tail movements in pigs could soon help farmers identify the early signs of tail biting, scientists in the UK have discovered.
13 tips for rearing healthier, more profitable pigs with fewer antibiotics
Sep 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
Controlling and limiting the amount of antibiotics on a farm doesn’t have to be to the detriment of a herd’s overall health — and can, in fact, lead to a more profitable and sustainable...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 3: Leman Swine Conference
Sep 17, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 Leman Swine Conference is under way in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing video interviews for future posts. Here are some highlights from our 2017...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 2: Leman Swine Conference
Sep 16, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 Leman Swine Conference is under way in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing video interviews for future posts. Here are some highlights from our 2017...
Dee: Research shows potential for FAD transmission through some imported feed ingredients
Sep 14, 2018Susan Spiegel
A big step in preventing transmission of foreign animal diseases (FAD) through feed is to reduce virus-survival rates in the feed, explained Scott Dee, DVM, PhD, director of research, Pipestone...
SPECIAL REPORT, Day 1: Leman Swine Conference
Sep 14, 2018Susan Spiegel
The 2018 Leman Swine Conference is under way in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our editors are onsite, covering sessions and capturing video interviews for future posts. Here are some highlights from our 2017...
Connor: Managing mycoplasma requires integrated approach with vaccines, feed medications, injectables
Sep 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Mycoplasma pneumonia continues to trouble the swine industry. Around for years, the respiratory disease caused by the bacterium M. hyo reduces pig performance, especially when mixed with other...
Dee: African swine fever outbreak in China major threat to US pork
Sep 07, 2018Susan Spiegel
News that China broke with African swine fever generated great concern for many in the US swine industry, including Scott Dee, DVM, Pipestone Veterinary Services.
Dipsticks offer early warning of sow urinary-tract infections
Sep 06, 2018Susan Spiegel
Minimizing urinary-tract infections is an important step — not only in securing a sow’s overall health but also its productivity and, ultimately, its longevity.
Tips for proper selection of cleaning, disinfection products
Aug 30, 2018Susan Spiegel
By Neal Benjamin, DVM
Carthage Veterinary Service
Carthage, Illinois
‘Immune-mediated protection’ key to managing Group C rotavirus
Aug 29, 2018Susan Spiegel
Rotavirus is not a new disease facing the swine industry, but it’s also not going away. There are various groups of rotaviruses that impact piglets differently.
Non-thermal plasma reactors can inactivate PRRSV
Aug 29, 2018Susan Spiegel
Hog-farm biosecurity measures have largely focused on minimizing the transmission of infectious agents on various surfaces. However, it’s been shown that PRRSV — and possibly other respiratory...
Close to the finish: How grower pigs spread PRRS to sow farms
Aug 27, 2018Susan Spiegel
It’s time to consider the role finishing pigs play in the spread of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) to sow farms, according to Montserrat Torremorell, DVM, PhD,...
‘We’ve almost forgotten that boars just perform better’
Aug 23, 2018Susan Spiegel
Ever since Larry Rueff, DVM, a swine veterinarian from Greensburg, IN, stopped physically castrating some of his pigs 4 years ago, and started using a protein compound that works like an immunization...
‘Nuts n’ tails’ fluid testing is promising, practical method of PRRSV monitoring
Aug 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
Testing fluids obtained from routine castration and tail-docking procedures looks to be a promising, practical and affordable way to improve monitoring for PRRSV.
Feed duration biggest issue under new swine VFD rule
Aug 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
More than a year into FDA’s new veterinary feed directive (VFD) rules, pork producers and veterinarians are finding the potential problem spots.
Epitope-comparison study illustrates broad coverage of Fostera Gold® PCV MH against PCV2 viruses
Aug 15, 2018Susan Spiegel
DISCOVERIES, Issue 4: Swine disease specialists speculated that a PCV2 vaccine containing two genotypes — PCV2a and PCV2b — would significantly improve the coverage provided against PCV2...
Employee training improves piglet-survival rates
Aug 14, 2018Susan Spiegel
An employee-training program focused on online training followed by tracked, in-barn verification experiences helped a start-up farm achieve top piglet-survival rates, according to a study.
PCV3: A challenge independent from PCV2
Aug 12, 2018Susan Spiegel
Anyone involved in raising pigs is aware of PCV2, but new on the scene is porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3). Although the two viruses are both circular DNA viruses in the same family, they are...
Tips for successful oral-fluid sampling for PRRSV
Aug 08, 2018Susan Spiegel
Oral-fluid sampling is an easy way to detect PRRSV or track changes in PRRSV infections in populations — and it can optimize your survey efforts by keeping a few simple tips in mind.
What’s in season? How swine veterinarians are managing seasonal spikes in bacterial disease in the new VFD era
Aug 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
Seasonal changes traditionally bring fickle weather, dramatic swings in day-night temperatures and, of course, flare-ups of respiratory and enteric disease in swine herds. But how does the VFD era...
