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Pig Journal Volume: 56
Publication date: November 2005

Refereed Section

CLINICAL REPORT - CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE AND POST-WEANING PIGLET LOSSES IN OUTDOOR PRODUCTION
N. Blasko and G. Bilkei

Abstract
Clostridium difficile has not been reported as a cause of losses in outdoor raised weaned pigs. In an outdoor production unit, 4-11 days after weaning, the piglets suffered a sudden increase of diarrhoea, respiratory distress and mortality. Enrofloxacin, ceftiofur and gentamycin (sensitivity tested and effective against the E. coli, present on the unit) showed no therapeutic effects. Necropsy revealed meso-colonic oedema, hydrothorax and ascites. Microscopic examination showed scattered foci of suppuration in the lamina propria of the colon and accumulation of neutrophils and fibrin on the colonic mucosa. Anaerobic cultures of the colon yielded heavy growth of Clostridium difficile. Hygienic and weather/stress improvements decreased post-weaning morbidity from 51% (January to March 2004) to 11% (March to June) and mortality from 12% to 2% during the same period of time.

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