HERD HEALTH
PIH-68
pork industry handbook
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • PURDUE UNIVERSITY • WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
Guidelines for the Development of a Swine Herd Health Calendar
Authors
LeRoy G. Biehl, University of Illinois
T. D. Tanksley, Jr., Texas A & M University
Leon Wernimont, Carroll, Iowa
Reviewer
Jack Judy, Michigan State University
A well-managed, predetermined swine herd health plan minimizes disease by preventing exposure to specific disease organisms and by increasing herd immunity against common diseases. Each producer should develop a specific program of disease prevention for his individual farm. Even a minimal program is better than no program at all.

Blood testing, isolation of new herd replacements, and a strict sanitation and traffic control program eliminate opportunities for new disease organisms to enter the herd, while systematic vaccination of sows and pigs prevents routine diseases that are difficult to control. A sound herd health program also includes adequate nutrition, comfortable housing and ventilation, and vigorous parasite control.

The following herd health program lists most of the needed vaccinations and parasite control measures. Not all the procedures are applicable, desirable or economically feasible for every farm, and the list should serve only as a guide. Immunization agents, anti-parasite products, feed additives and injectables are direct cost items for the producer. The producer should consult with his veterinarian, study the cost/benefit ratio of each procedure, and decide which are necessary for the individual farm. Special problems peculiar to the involved farm need to be taken into consideration. Locale, type and size of operation and government regulations will influence health management decisions.

As previously stated, not all the vaccinations listed are required on every farm. For example, in many areas a producer need only vaccinate for leptospirosis with the three serotype pomona-grippotyphosa-hardjo bacterin or perhaps only the pomona bacterin. Clostridium, Pasteuretia bacterins or E. coli vaccines are recommended only in areas where these diseases commonly occur or on farms that have experienced previous problems. Generally, vaccinating for TGE is more important during the winter and early spring months. However, as “chronic" TGE is being diagnosed all year in continuous farrowing units, year-round TGE immunization procedures will be necessary.
Before proceeding with an active deworming program, fecal examination of five 8-wk.-old pigs and 5 sows should be made to determine the species of worms present. The dewormer effective against the worms diagnosed should be used as recommended by the manufacturer. Frequently in slotted-floored confinement systems, no worm eggs are found, and the dewormer is not required, saving the producer time and money. The importance of fecal exams is stressed.

If mange is present, the intensive spraying program listed should be followed. Lice are more easily controlled than mange and if eliminated by the program listed, the frequency of sprayings can be reduced or completely eliminated.

Well-kept records are extremely important to the success of a herd health program. Records enable the producer and herd health team to identify problem areas in the operation and to measure the progress of the program. Farrowing records should denote the sow number, sire(s), date of farrowing, number born, litter weight, number alive, number mummies, 21-day weight and number weaned. Any abnormalities, disease problems and treatments of pigs or sows should be recorded.

With the exception of newborn pigs, all hogs that die should be necropsied by the attending veterinarian or taken to a state diagnostic laboratory. Routine postmortem examination, regardless of cause of death, detects chronic, slow-moving but costly diseases before they become established in a herd. Moreover, a devastating disease may be prevented by vaccination or treatment before serious losses occur.

If arrangements can be made with a packing house, routine slaughter checks of 10 market-sized hogs by a veterinarian at the plant will provide considerable herd health information to the producer. The slaughter check needs to be included in the calendar to allow the producer and veterinarian to monitor the disease level in the herd and to measure the effectiveness of the swine herd health program. The veterinarian can inspect the lungs for myco-
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, State of Indiana, Purdue University and U. S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating. H. G. Diesslin, Director, West Lafayette, IN. Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. It is the policy of the Cooperative Extension Service of Purdue University that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to its programs and facilities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age or handicap.