THE EFFECT OF A CENTRAL NERVOUS STIMULANT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OEDEMA DISEASE IN PIGS AFTER CHALLENGE WITH
P.G.Y. Friendship and G. Bilkei

Abstract
The objective of the trial was to determine the effect of a central nervous stimulant on the development of oedema disease in weaned pigs after challenge with Escherichia coli verotoxin 2-e (VT2-e).

In a large pig production unit, two litters of weaned pigs (n=19 piglets) were selected for the study and treated as follows:

Group one (n=10): 25 µg of VTe-2 toxin were given intravenously. After the first signs of palpebral oedema (4 hours after the application of Vte-2 toxin) the weaners were treated with amphetamine hydrochloride (1mg/kg body weight) via stomach tube.

Group two (n=9): 25 µg of Vte-2 toxin were given intravenously. The animals received no treatment.

Clinical signs typical for oedema disease, mortality and gross pathological changes were evaluated. All piglets were euthanased on day 4 post-inoculation

Less diarrhoea, laboured breathing, dyspnoea, ataxia and inco-ordination were diagnosed in (P<.05) amphetamine treated pigs, compared to the untreated control. Spasm (P=.169) and mental confusion were not different between the groups. All pigs died within 4 days in the control group, but none of them died in the treated group.

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