Enzootic Pneumonia is one of the most prevalent and economically significant respiratory infections in the swine industry. Elimination of M. hyopneumoniae is by far the most effective and cost-efficient way to improve long-term herd health status, welfare, and technical performance.
The cash-flow disruption of a partial depopulation is less pronounced in comparison to a total depopulation and repopulation. The success rate of eradication by partial depopulation together with medication, namely Vetmulin® / Rodotium® (tiamulin) in combination with stringent biosecurity measures is high (approximately 90 - 95%). This is because:
- M. hyopneumoniae is very sensitive to tiamulin
- High and consistent tiamulin concentrations are achieved in lung tissue and bronchial fluid
Field case
- Farrow to weaning herd of 700 sows
- The weaners (27 days old) were moved weekly to a compartmentalised nursery site and finally, at 11 weeks of age, transferred to all-in-all-out finishing barns
- The nursery and the different fattening units were located at different sites
- The pigs were suffering from chronic coughing and poor technical performance
- Enzootic Pneumonia was diagnosed
Stabilisation before the start of the medication program to reduce active shedding and transmission
- All pigs younger than 10 months of age were removed from the sow herd. Only animals older than 10 months and suckling piglets remained on site
- All diseased pigs were removed
- There was a temporary cessation of new pig introduction for 5 weeks
- Strict hygiene and disinfection protocols were implemented
Medication program
Sows
- Vetmulin® / Rodotium® microgranulated premix at 8-10 mg tiamulin hydrogen fumarate / kg body weight per day for 2 weeks
- Sick sows refusing to eat during the treatment period were removed from the herd or injected with Vetmulin® / Rodotium® 162 mg tiamulin base / ml (1.5 ml / 20 kg body weight)
Suckling piglets: intramuscular injection with tulathromycin
- 2.5 mg / kg body weight every 5 days
- from 1 week before until the end of the treatment period of the sows
The eradication took place in summertime to reduce pathogen transmission and facilitate the hygiene program.
M. hyopneumoniae - free pigs
- Pigs born of sows that were treated for the full 14 days prior to giving birth were:
- considered to be free from M. hyopneumoniae
- no longer vaccinated against M. hyopneumoniae
- transferred to completely depopulated facilities for weaners and fatteners that were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected at least one week before transfer
- Only gilts originating from negative herds were introduced to the breeding herd afterwards
M. hyopneumoniae monitoring after treatment cessation
- At 14, 23 and 30 weeks after the end of the medication program, weaners (11 weeks), fatteners (16-17 and 23-24 weeks), sows and gilts were sampled:
- Serology - ELISA tests: 155 negative results
- Oral fluids and nasal swabs - PCR: 30 negative results
- Slaughterhouse check: absence of typical lung lesions
- Clinical signs: absent, resulting in a decreased use of antimicrobials
Boost in technical performance
- Suckling piglets
- Nursery pigs
- Fattening pigs
Conclusion
M. hyopneumoniae was eradicated successfully by using a strategic medication program of Vetmulin® / Rodotium® in combination with biosecurity measures. An enormous performance boost was noted without a total depopulation of the sow herd or a stop in farrowing.
