PRRSV IN PIGS

PRRSV in PIGS

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is characterized by increased late-term abortions, stillbirths, birth of weak piglets, and lowered farrowing rates; in suckling and weaned pigs there is respiratory difficulty, coughing, and high death rates; the disease is caused by an enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus of the Arteriviridae family.

How to Diagnose

  1. The disease begins with high body temperature (105–107°F), severe depression, ataxia, and complete anorexia in young pigs.

    High fever and depression in young pigs

  2. In affected pigs, reddened patchy lesions on skin, particularly in abdomen, inner thigh, and tip of ear are observed.

    Reddened patchy skin lesions

  3. Severely affected pigs show reddening of ears that is prominent on the outer surface.

    Reddening of ears on outer surface

  4. Grower pigs manifest reddening of entire skin including ears; many times ears turn bluish in color.

    Skin reddening and bluish ear discoloration

  5. Affected pigs show difficulty in respiration and coughing.

    Respiratory difficulty and coughing

  6. In postmortem, lungs show consolidation.

    Lung consolidation at postmortem

  7. Pregnant sows are completely anorexic, depressed, and show increased thirst; affected pregnant sows deliver weak piglets which eventually die shortly.

    Weak piglets from affected sows

  8. Affected pregnant sows abort, deliver mummified fetuses, and stillbirths.

    Abortion and mummified fetuses

Type of Samples

From ailing pigs: serum and blood. In dead pigs: tissue samples like tonsil, lymph node, spleen, lung tissue, and aborted foetus.

Laboratory Tests

  • Serological test – ELISA.
  • PCR.

Whom To Contact

1) Local Veterinarian Officer / Field Assistant.

2) NERDDL, AH & Vety Khanapara, ADMaC Core Lab, AAU.

a) Dr. N. N. Barman

Email: nnbarman@gmail.com

Mob: 09435558788

b) Dr. Abhijit Deka

Email: docabhijit93@gmail.com

Mob: 09864531247

What will you do

  1. Lock the farm and do not allow pigs to move in and out.
  2. Separate the affected ones from the healthy.
  3. Remove affected stock.
  4. Inform the nearest Veterinary Doctor / Field Assistant.
  5. Send appropriate samples via Veterinary Doctor / Field Assistant to the nearest diagnostic laboratory / ADMaC Core Lab-I, Khanapara for diagnosis.
  6. Bury dead pigs in a 5–6 ft deep pit with sufficient common salt/lime or washing soda.
  7. Spray regularly with 4% washing soda or 4% phenol in the surroundings and pig house floor.