COMMON DISEASES OF PIG

Some common diseases of pig include: brucellosis, anthrax, bovine mastitis, hog cholera or swine fever, pleuropneumonia, enteritis or swine dysentery, transmissible gastro-enteritis, etc.

1. Brucellosis/Contagious Abortion: This disease is caused by a bacterium called Brucella abortus.
Symptoms
i. High fever
ii. Diarrhea and dysentery
iii. Posterior paralysis
iv. Premature abortion
Transmission
i. Contaminated feed
ii. Contaminated water
iii. Infected animals
Control
i. Isolation of infected animal
ii. Proper sanitation
iii. Regular vaccination

2. Anthrax: This disease is caused by a bacterium and transmitted through contaminated feed, water, equipment and infected animals.
Symptoms
i. High fever
ii. Depression
iii. Blood oozing from the mouth, nose, anus or carcass
iv. Lack of appetite and sudden death
Control
i. Proper sanitation
ii. Vaccination and isolation of infected animals.

3. Enteritis or Swine dysentery: This is a protozoa disease that causes serious digestive tract disorder.
Symptoms
i. High temperature
ii. Loss of appetite
iii. Frequent passage of watery, fowl smelling faeces (may be bloody).
iv. Loss of weight
Control
i. Proper sanitation
ii. The administration of sulphur drugs and antibiotics such as Terramycin and Aureomycin.

4. Hog Cholera/Swine Fever: it is a viral disease. It affects pigs of all ages.
Symptoms
i. High body temperature
ii. Diarrhea and vomiting
Control
i. The only control is to kill affected animals and bury them.

5. Transmissible Gastro-Enteritis: This disease is caused by a bacterium and affect piglets mostly.
Symptoms
i. Diarrhea and vomiting
ii. Green or white faeces
iii. Sudden death
Control
i. Antibiotics and sulphonamide drugs are used to cure the diseases.