Background and history

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterium found in most if not all pig populations. Some strains cause a mild and non-progressive rhinitis that heals spontaneously. The disease is clinically and economically of no consequence. However if toxigenic pasteurella are present in the herd then a combination of the two organisms can produce severe progressive rhinitis (PAR).

Bordetella bronchiseptica can be a secondary opportunist invader in pneumonia.

Clinical signs

• Coughing.
• Sneezing.
• Nasal discharge.

Diagnosis

This is based on cultural and laboratory examinations.

Causes

• High levels of the bacteria may predominate in poor environments.
• Recirculation of air in nurseries allows a build-up of organisms.
• Continual use of housing.

Prevention

• Tidiness of environments.
• No treatment needed unless levels are high.
• In-feed medicate with trimethoprim sulpha or chlortetracycline.
• Inject weaners with oxytetracycline long-acting at weaning.

Treatment

Bordetellosis can be treated using:

• Ampicillin.
• Cloxacillin.
• Enrofloxacin.
• Erythromycin.
• Streptomycin.
• Sulphonamides:
  • Sulphadimidine.
  • Trimethoprim sulphonamide.
• Tetracyclines.