Mycoplasma Arthritis in Beef Pigs – Farm Life

D The presence of a large number of professional misconduct is also considered a measure of the reduction of welfare on the farm – a hot topic for public opinion as well only for supermarket chains. The problem here is however that it is often difficult for the breeder to quickly recognize the symptoms, which means that the treatment often fails or fails sufficiently and that the daily growth of pork with persistent problems can be negatively influenced. [19659005] Cause of the disease

Although Mycoplasma hyosynoviae occurs in most pig farms, clinical disease is not reported in all these farms. Mycoplasma hyosynoviae may persist in the throat and in the upper parts of the respiratory system. It can then be transferred from one donor animal to other pigs by close contact: this bacterium can pass from one pig to another via air into drops of the respiratory system . Once present in the throat, the bacteria can be transmitted through the blood where it reaches the joints and tendons, where it can cause inflammation, resulting in pork lameness.

From three to five months

Animals of the age category from 3 to 5 months are the most sensitive. This is because the maternal immunity acquired by piglets through the colostrum lasts about 3 months. After this period, the antibodies that the piglets receive from the sow have a relapse and the pigs are therefore more susceptible to infection.

Other factors that may play a role are the high pressure of infection of bacteria on the farm and periods of increased stress. for example move or mix staves and occupancy rate too high. A bad stable climate can also influence the onset of Mycoplasma arthritis.

Symptoms

Manken and swelling of the joints are the main symptoms that can be noticed. The most affected joints are the heel of the hind limbs and the knee. In the articulation of the knee joint and shoulder, swelling is difficult to observe because of the strong bodybuilding in these areas.

More difficult right

The onset of symptoms in young pigs for fertilizer is usually abrupt and often more than one limb is affected, making recovery of these animals more difficult. Once they are up and encouraged to move, they show a shortened step that, after a few steps, passes. The latter, of course, makes it more difficult to identify affected animals at an early stage, especially in large enclosures.

Affected animals show a decrease in the intake of water and food because of the discomfort caused to these animals and because they can reach the watering place and the water. waterer more difficult. As a result, daily growth can drastically decrease.

Mortality due to

Mycoplasma hyosynoviae

is low, but the number of affected animals in the population is generally high

Description of a typical case

A pig farmer reported that pigs in various attics in the butcher's pork department had stiff legs and were moving slowly through the pens. These signs of the disease have worsened every week. The vet came to understand the situation and found that about 20% of the pigs had the following signs of illness: sitting dog, difficulty and refusal to get up and that some of the pigs needed help. In the vast majority of pigs, no external lesions could be found. Some of the pigs showed a swollen heel.

Diagnosis

Early Diagnosis of Arthritis

Mycoplasma

is of paramount importance because the hog farmer can proceed with treatment much more quickly. In this way, economic losses can be limited and the persistence of chronic lameness can be avoided. A diagnosis is first made on the basis of clinical symptoms. Similarly, other causes of mania in fattening pigs should be excluded. When autopsied pigs are presented, there is usually more synovial fluid, which is no longer transparent and clear, but has a yellow or brown color.

Synovial fluid

On farms that are struggling with chronic problems of lameness in fattening pigs, it is best to offer untreated animals and clearly affected for other diagnoses . Joint fluid can be taken by the veterinarian from the affected joint, but this must be done aseptically. This synovial fluid is sent to a diagnostic laboratory where the germ can or can not be detected.

Responsible medication

In severely and chronically affected flocks, one can start by collecting the synovial fluid from some animals in the final phase of the battery and then through the different phases of the fattening service to determine the amount of fluid in the body. exact time at which

Mycoplasma hyosynoviae

] joints begin to affect. In this way, a responsible medicine can be administered to the pigs at this time.

Other causes of eating in butcher's pigs

Mycoplasma arthritis should be distinguished from muscle disorders, noninfectious joint disorders, localized disease and Glässer (
Haemophilus parasuis
).

Treatment

Mycoplasma hyosynoviae is normally susceptible to lincomycin, tylosin and tetracyclines. Mycoplasmas are not sensitive to penicillin. When treatment is started early, the best results are visible. After 24 hours of treatment, the results can already be seen, but the treatment can not be stopped prematurely. An analgesic can also be given to relieve the pain and discomfort of pigs. Individual medications are preferable to diet or medication administration, as it is more difficult for lame pigs to reach drinking troughs.

Preventing infections in Mycoplasma hyosynoviae in affected farms is expected to focus primarily on housing optimization and management. Large fluctuations in temperature and air currents should be avoided. In addition, the focus can also be on minimizing joint trauma by the presence of appropriate stable material or the low number of high pigs

No Vaccines

No commercial vaccine is available against Mycoplasma hyosynoviae . Enzootic pneumonia is also caused by a species of Mycoplasma, ie
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
but vaccinations for this do not provide cross-protection against Mycoplasma hyosynoviae . Companies that have to deal with serious chronic problems of mycoplasmal arthritis can, after confirmation of the laboratory diagnosis and after consultation with the company veterinarian, determine the most appropriate time for the administration preventive medications.

Ioannis Arsenakis

– Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and

Commercial Veterinary Medicine

– Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – University of Ghent