Wasting in weaners

[ruth buxton]

we have a 165 indoor breeder finishing unit. It is a closed unit with homebred replacements, AI has been used for the last 2 years. The unit is well run, good hygiene and previously has had no problems. In august last year they swapped from colisorb vacc to porcilis porcol5 and porcilis ery. the PRRS and PMWS status is not known.
Last November we had a problem in the farrowing house with piglets scouring, wasting and dying at around 14days old. There was no response Tylan in feed. 5 scouring piglets were taken to the VLA and PM gave a tentative diagnosis of Isospora (No ecoli, no rotavirus). By the time diagnosis was made the problem semmed to have resolved and the farmer did not treat for cocci. Now 3 months on they are having problems in the weaner house (5-7week old weaners). There are a large number (20%) thin, hairy with the backbone showing. There is some scour but the predominate symptom is the poor condition. There is still some scour in the piglets but not as prevalent as 3 months ago.
The only other problems on the unit is that the ZAP scores have raised dramatically and there are also some irregular returns to oestrus in the sows.
Does anybody think these symptoms fit with PRRS or PMWS being introduced onto a naive unit?? If so what would be the most cost efficient way of testing to diagnose these considering the VLA centre is a long drive from us and he is not keen on taking further animals for PM??
Or does this maybe fit with an on going cocci problem?? If so when would be the best time to test faeces?
Im assuming the raised ZAP scores are due to a underlying disease stressor rather than a primary problem.
Any advice would be much appreciated

[blonde]

have you cut a pig open to have a look.
What about Ileitis? similar symptoms as to your description.

[blonde]

Could also be E. coli, There is a vaccine for this short of that I use natural Yoghurt when there is a problem and that is very rarely.

[blonde]

No I don't, but because I run outside I guess I miss out on most of the problem wogs.

[blonde]

I do not use PIC pigs thank you. I have a variety of breeds and genetics but do not deal with the above.

[blonde]

nothing......nothing at all. I just do not use their pigs, I have used other breeds and genetics instead. What is wrong with that.

[blonde]

never seen first litter gilt scour either,
Have not used yoghurt for years, we know about it be we just dont use it either.
Yes we are very isolated, something that is in our favour I guess.
I know of several outdoor piggeries that do not have vaccination programs and I guess out doors is the answer to all our problems.

[blonde]

yeah....it is a nice easy life!

[blonde]

May be some do...but I guess isolation is the answer to my lack of problems.
Lately I have had heaps and heaps of litters ...mind you all from gilts but at least I have had lots of litters, heat and all. The older girls have also farrowed well heat and all. Over come it by allowing the boar to run with the sows and mate during the night time or evening. Very often a quiet walk down to the piggery during the evening after dinner, can see a lot of activity going on with boars mating sows......