4.3.3 Clinical signs of chronic Ileitis

Clinical observations of chronic cases of Ileitis generally include signs like diarrhoea, reduced weight gains or increased “variation” in the body weight of growing pigs. This form of disease usually occurs in pigs aged somewhere between 6 and 20 weeks-old.

Studies have now indicated that this persistent form of disease occurs in up to 10% of pigs that are infected with Lawsonia intracellularis.

In a typical group of 20 pigs suffering from the chronic form of Ileitis, 2 will have clear problems with weight gain, 5 will have various degrees of diarrhoea and others will appear normal but will actually have low performance.