In pigs at post-mortem, milk spots in the liver are evidence of which disease process?
Ascaris suum migration
What is the pathogenesis of edema disease in pigs?
- Subsequent to dietary changes at weaning, Escherichia coli proliferates in the small intestine
- It produces an exotoxin (ETEC)
- ETEC spreads hematogenously, causing generalized vascular endothelial injury
- Resulting in fluid loss and edema
Cofeeding of which drug with ionophores can lead to ionophore toxicosis in pigs?
Tiamulin
(ionophores alone at routine doses are not toxic)
It inhibits the cytochrome P450 enzymes needed to metabolize ionophores, leading to ionophore toxicosis if co-administered.
Which infectious agent is commonly associated with rectal strictures in swine?
Salmonella spp.
Which statement about pregnancy failure in sows is false?
- A. Embryonic death after day 12 is associated with prolonged interestrus intervals
- B. Infectious diseases causing fetal mummification always lead to death of entire litter
- C. Birth of piglets at 110 days gestation is considered an abortion
- D. Most infections that result in mummification occur between 35 and 70 days’ gestation
B. Infectious diseases causing fetal mummification always lead to death of entire litter
The other answer choices are true.
What is the cause of mulberry heart disease in pigs?
Vitamin E and selenium deficiency
What is the most common clinical sign of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in pigs?
Chronic, persistent, non-productive cough
Which two body systems are most commonly affected in the chronic form of infection with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in pigs?
- Musculoskeletal (arthritis)
- Cardiovascular (endocarditis)
(signs of chronic erysipelas)
Acute disease is characterized by the classic diamond skin lesions (cutaneous erythema); fever, lethargy, and anorexia; and septicemia and death.
What are two common viral etiologies of respiratory disease in pigs?
- Swine influenza
- Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS)
Name three differential diagnoses for vesicles on the lips, nostrils, and coronary bands of pigs.
- Foot and mouth disease
- Swine vesicular disease
- Vesicular exanthema
- Vesicular stomatitis
- Seneca Valley virus
Which coccidian parasite is associated with post-weaning diarrhea in five- to six -week-old piglets?
Isospora suis
Pigs in modern, intensive production units are weaned at approximately which age:
- A. 3 weeks (range 3-4)
- B. 4 weeks (range 4-5)
- C. 5 weeks (range 5-6)
- D. 6 weeks (range 6-7)
A. 3 weeks of age (range 3-4)
A viral disease of mice which can result in late gestation pregnancy loss and disease in nursing piglets in swine herds is:
- A. Encephalomyocarditis virus
- B. Japanese B encephalitis virus
- C. Coronavirus
- D. Rubulovirus
A. Encephalomyocarditis virus
Rodents shed this virus in urine and feces, contaminating swine food and water sources.
A herd of pigs shows acute thirst, constipation, and sporadic seizures, characteristically beginning with a sitting position and progressing to opisthotonos. Histologically, there is cerebral polioencephalomalacia.
What is the most likely cause?
“Salt poisoning”
(colloquial name for hypernatremia)
Actually, this is water deprivation causing hypernatremia; true ingestion of excessive salt causes vomiting and diarrhea.
Your arrival from overseas is marred by the confiscation of pork sausage you brought. Name two viral diseases, both potentially contracted by pigs feeding on uncooked garbage containing infected pig tissues, that are the basis for this action.
- Hog cholera (synonym: classical swine fever)
- African swine fever
- Foot and mouth disease
Regarding pregnancy failure in pigs, most infections resulting in mummification occur in what gestational age range?
Between days 35 - 70 of gestation
Atrophic rhinitis in pigs has two etiologic agents. What are they?
- Pasteurella multocida: causes severe, progressive disease
- Bordetella bronchiseptica: causes mild, nonprogressive disease
Other additive factors include poor ventilation, crowding, mixing of animals, and concurrent diseases.
An adult pig carcass shows emaciation, dehydration, and fecal staining. The dominant lesion is diffuse colitis, with sharp demarcation at the cecum (no small intestinal lesions). Histologically, spirochete organisms are seen in the colonic crypts.
What is the diagnosis?
Swine dysentery
(Brachyspira hyodysenteriae infection)
A group of growing piglets exhibits erythematous papules and pustules on the ventral and lateral abdomen, lateral thorax, medial forelimbs, and thighs.
What is the likely diagnosis?
Swinepox
A mild viral infection with very low mortality which occurs worldwide and is endemic in regions with intensive swine production.
A recently weaned pig develops sudden edema of the eyelids, neurologic signs, and sudden death. Which bacterial pathogen is the most likely cause of this condition?
Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (specifically F18+ E. coli strains) is responsible for edema disease in weaned pigs
An outbreak on a hog farm causes high fever, moderate anorexia, recumbency, and reddening of the skin in nearly all pigs.
Which reportable disease is the most likely cause?
African swine fever
Reportable!
What is the most effective strategy for preventing porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in North American swine herds?
Strict herd biosecurity +/- vaccination
This includes quarantine of incoming animals, control of farm traffic, and vaccination where appropriate to reduce virus introduction and spread.
Which gross lesion is characteristic of Glässer disease in pigs?
Fibrinous polyserositis and meningitis
(cause is Haemophilus parasuis infection)
At a hobby farm, a cow and two sheep have a two-day history of severe pruritus and self-trauma. On exam: weakness, recumbency, hypersalivation. These animals have been exposed to feral pigs.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Aujeszky disease
(a.k.a. pseudorabies)
