ThePigSite.com
5M Retail Now Open - Win a Ipad 2Sign up for ThePigSite weekly newsletterFollow us on Twitter
ThePigSite Pig Health
Search ThePigSite:
Section:

Use the above box to search this section or the whole site

Erysipelas

See Chapter 7 for further information.

Diamond shaped lesions tyipical of Erysipelas
Diamond shaped lesions tyipical of Erysipelas
(460) This disease, caused by the tiny bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (insidiosa), produces very characteristic skin lesions often described as diamond markings. The organism enters the blood stream causing a septicaemia. In the process it forms small clumps which block or thrombose tiny blood vessels supplying the skin. Affected areas appear as raised diamond shaped patches several centimetres across, scattered over the back, flanks and abdomen. Fig.10-9. They are usually pink in colour and in clean white skinned pigs are readily seen but in coloured or dirty pigs they may not be so evident. In such cases run the palm of your hand over the pig's back and sides and they can be felt as raised areas. The affected pigs may or may not be depressed and running a fever. If the thrombosis is complete and treatment is not given these areas can turn black as tissue dies and eventually slough off. The organism is very sensitive to penicillin and effective vaccines are available.

ERYSIPELAS
Diamond shaped skin lesions and others on the neck and flank.



Share This
Our Sponsors
Partners