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Swine or Pig Management – Part 2 of 3
| By pinoyfarmer | August 2, 2007 |  |
Internal parasites
Internal parasites
Symptoms
- Loss of appetite.
- Diarrhea.
- Anemia.
- Weight loss.
- Coughing.
- Slow growth.
- Dull, thick hair without the normal luster.
- Live worms expelled from the feces.
Cause
Roundworms and lungworms are transmitted by eating feed or drinking water that is contaminated. Worms affect animals of all ages and both sexes. They can be spread to people through hands contaminated with worm eggs. Also, worms can spread to humans who eat vegetables contaminated with eggs from pig manure used as fertilizer.
Prevention
- Keep animals and surroundings clean.
- Deworm the animals at least every 3 months. Or repeat the first deworming after 21 days to break the life cycle of the roundworm; then repeat every 3 months.
- Clean your hands with soap and water after feeding, treating or cleaning the animals to get rid of any worm eggs.
- Wash all vegetables before eating, especially those raised with pig manure as fertilizer.
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Treatment
Treatment should preferably be done in the morning so you can check whether worms are expelled in the feces later in the day.
For lungworm
- Pound 6 handfuls (300 g) of mature, fresh fruit of Diospyros mollis. Squeeze the ground sample through a cheesecloth to get the extract. Mix 3 tablespoons of epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) in the extract. Mix with 1 bottle of water. Drench with 1 teaspoon of the medicinal juice per 5 kg of body weight. Treatment requires only 1 dose.
For roundworm (Ascaris species)
Treatments for roundworm
| Scientific name | Common name | Parts used | Preparation | Application | Dosage |
| Anona squamosa | Sugar apple | Air-dried leaves | Crush leaves. Add a little water. | Give as drench. | 15 g/50 kg body weight. Repeat treatment after 21 days and every 3 months thereafter. (Cambodia, India, Philippines, Thailand .1, 2, 3, 4, 5) |
| Areca catechu | Betel nut | Ripe, air- dried nut | Grind. Add a little water. | Give as drench. | 15 mg/50 kg body weight. Repeat treatment after 21 days and every 3 months thereafter. (Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand. 1,2,3,4,5) |
| Artemisia vulgaris | Air-dried leaves | Grid, then add a little water. Hand- squeeze to get the juice. | Give as drench. | 0.1 – 1.0 ml/kg body weight for small animals, 1.0 -1.5 ml/kg body weight for larger animals. Repeat treatment after 21 days and every 3 months thereafter. | |
| Leucaena leucocephala | Leucaena | Air-dried, ripe seeds | Pound seeds to powder. | Mix powder into feed. | 30 g powder for every 10 kg body weight. Repeat treatment after 3 months. |
| Leucaena leucocephala | Leucaena | Ripe, air-dried seeds | Grind seeds Add a little water. | Give as drench. | 15 g/kg body weight. Repeat after 21 days and every 3 months thereafter. |
| Momordica charantia | Bitter gourd | Air dried leaves | Boil the leaves. For every 1 part leaves, use 2 parts water. Take the liquid and dilute the liquid with coconut milk in 1:1 ratio. | Give as drench. | 6 ml per 10 kg body weight. Repeat treatment after 3 months. |
| Moringa oleifera | Horseradish tree | Air-dried, ripe seeds | Pound seeds to powder. | Mix powder into feed. | 30 g powder per 10 kg body weight. Repeat treatment after 3 months. |
| Plumeria acuminate | Air-dried bark | Add 30 ml water for every 60 9 bark. Grind. Boil the ground bark for 15-20 minutes. Strain to get the liquid. | Give as drench. | 0.2 – 0.5 ml/kg body weight. Repeat treatment after 21 days and every 3 months thereafter. | |
| Tamarindus indica | Tamarind | Air-dried leaves or bark | For every 30 g of leaves or bark, add 4 cups water, then pound Boil the mixture for 15-20 minutes. Strain to get the liquid. | Give as drench. | 5 -10 ml/kg body weight. Repeat treatment after 21 days and every 3 months there after. |
Pork tapeworm
Pork tapeworm
Symptoms
- Cysts appear as small blisters at the base of the tongue.
- In most cases, no symptoms appear at all.
Pull the tongue out to the side of the mouth and dry it with a clean cloth. Feel the surface of the tongue at the base to check for cysts. This is the only way to confirm if the animal has cysticercosis.
Cause
Tapeworm infestation (cysticercosis) is a condition of cysts in the muscles of pigs caused by the larvae of tapeworm.
Each of the cysts in the tongue or muscle of the animal contains a tapeworm larva. This is the result of a pig eating human feces containing a whole or part of the tapeworm, or the eggs of the tapeworm. The tapeworm eggs are then absorbed into the intestines of the pig and are carried in the blood system. They are then trapped in the muscle of the animal and develop into larvae which then become cysts. Humans get the tapeworm by eating contaminated pork which has not been sufficiently cooked.
Human eats contaminated pork not sufficiently cooked.
Prevention
- Keep the surroundings clean and free from human feces to prevent pigs from eating the feces and becoming infected.
Treatment
- Boil 5-10 fresh young leaves of Spondias pinnata in 1 cup of water for 5-10 minutes. Drench the animal 2-3 times a week with 3-5 ml (I teaspoon) of the liquid for every 10 kg body weight. After 7 days, check if the cysts have disappeared. Repeat the treatment 2-3 times a week until the animal is cured.(Philippines. 1, 2, 3, 4)
Scabies or mite infestation
Scabies or mite infestation
Symptoms
- Itchiness.
- Scratching. Wrinkled and rough skin. Inflammation of the skin. Falling hair. Moist open wound may contain pus or serum.
Cause
The most common form of scabies in pigspigs is the one caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. suds, which burrows into the skin and causes intense itching. Scabies is also caused by Psoroptes mites. The areas of the body usually infested are the hairless portions, like the back of the pig’s ears.
Fungal infection may also cause mild skin lesions and can also cause the above symptoms.
Warning
People can catch scabies easily. Avoid direct contact with the pig’s infected area, especially when applying treatment. Use a stick or banana leaves to apply the treatment. You may also use plastic bags as improvised gloves for your hands. After application, wash hands with soap and water
Scabies is spread by direct contact with infected pigs and any surface or object which may contain the mites (such as bedding, stall walls, etc.). Scabies can easily be transmitted to humans and other animals.
Prevention isolate the infected animal to protect the other pigs living in the same pen. General sanitation is also important to prevent mite infestation. Keep the pen and the bedding clean. Also keep the animals clean and dry. Do not use infested animals for breeding purposes.
Treatment
Use any of the following treatments:
- Burn 1 coconut shell and mix the ash with 1 glass of coconut oil. Apply on the infected area twice a day for 3-5 days. (Cambodia. 1, 2, 3)
- Use an oil or alcohol liniment as base when applying medicinal plants. Here’s how to prepare a liniment:
Oil liniment
Make lime water by mixing lime (calcium hydroxide) with water. Take the water off from the top of the container. This is “lime water.”
Combine 1 part vegetable oil or used engine oil with 3 parts lime water and 1 part of any of the herbal medications given in the table below. Prepare the mixture by churning or by rapidly stirring the ingredients. Rub the mixture on the infected area part by part. Do not apply it to the whole body at the same time. After 10 days, repeat the medication.
Alcohol liniment
Combine 9 liters of diluted detergent solution (1 bar detergent soap dissolved in 9 liters of water) with 2 liters of distilled liquor (such as gin) and 1 part of any of the herbal medications listed in the table below. Prepare the mixture by churning or by rapidly stirring the ingredients. Rub the mixture on the infected area part by part. Do not apply it to the whole body at the same time. After 10 days, repeat the medication.
Herbal medications to treat scabies in pigs
| Scientific name | Common name | Parts used (pounded) |
| Annona squamosa | Sugar apple or sweet sop | Dried seeds(Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) |
| Artemisia vulgaris | Worm wood | Fresh leaves, roots, stems(Cambodia, Philippines. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) |
| Cassia alata | Ringworm bush | Fresh leaves, stem, bark, roots (crushed) (Cambodia, Philippines. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) |
| Chrysanthemum indicum | Chrysanthemum | Fresh leaves (crushed) (Philippines. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) |
| Gliricidia septum | Gliricidia | Fresh leaves, bark, roots(Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) |
| Tinospora spp. | All parts (fresh) (Philippines, Thailand. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 |
Lice
Lice
Symptoms
- Itching and scratching.
- Loss of hair due to rubbing and scratching.
- Lice can be seen moving around on the skin.
- Eggs can be seen attached to the hair.
Cause Presence of lice due to poor hygiene.
Prevention
General sanitation is important to prevent lice infestation.
- Keep the pen and bedding clean.
- Bathe the animals regularly and keep them clean.
- Isolate the infested animal.
- Do not use the infested animal for breeding purposes.
Treatment
Use any of the following treatments:
- Annona squamosa. Annona reticulata. Annona muricata.
Pound or grind 2 kg of ripe, air-dried seeds of any of the three plants above. Soak the ground seeds in 5 liters of water for 24 hours. Pour the water through a coarse cloth (such as mosquito netting) to remove the solids. Mix 1 part of the liquid with 5 parts of water before use. Use a brush or coconut husk to rub the solution on the whole body of the infected pig once a day. Treat the animal until all the lice and eggs are removed. For future use, cover and store the undiluted liquid in a cool, dry place. It can be kept for up to 20 days. (India, Thailand. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
- Premna odorata Gliricidia septum.
Pound or grind 2-3 small bundles of fresh leaves of either plant (this is enough for an average-sized adult pig). Rub the ground leaves over the whole body of the animal. Apply 2-3 times a day until all the lice and eggs are removed. (Philippines, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
- In severe cases of lice infestation, shave the animal to remove all hair, lice and eggs.
Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms, such as viruses or bacteria. The treatments given in this section will alleviate the symptoms of the disease. They will not eliminate the organism that causes the disease.
Enteric colibacillosis
- Death is common.
- Spread by contact with sick animals.
Symptoms
- Profuse watery diarrhea, yellowish in color and may contain mucus.
- Dehydration.
- Shivering.
- Piglets are weak.
- Commonly found in nursing piglets and weanlings.
Prevention
- Thoroughly wash sow before farrowing.
- Proper hygiene and sanitation.
- Make sure every piglet suckles colostrum from the sow.
- One to two weeks before farrowing, feed fecal material or intestines from dead piglets to the pregnant sow.
- Provide good housing, adequate bedding and source of heat to piglets.
Treatment
- See Diarrhea and dehydration, page 9.
Foot-and-mouth disease
Many young animals fall sick or die of this disease. It spreads by air or contact. People may serve as mechanical carriers.
Symptoms
- Wound lesions or blisters in the mouth, snout, feet and udder.
- Lack of appetite.
- Fever.
- Salivation.
- Lameness or limping.
- Difficulty in walking due to pain caused by the lesions on the feet.
Prevention
- Vaccinate regularly.
- Isolate sick animals and avoid contact with other animals.
- Disinfect pen area of infected animals.
Treatment
- See Wounds.
Hog cholera
This disease affects pigs of all ages. It appears suddenly and spreads rapidly through direct or indirect contacts with sick animals. It has a high death rate, sometimes reaching 100 percent in young piglets.
Symptoms
- Weakness.
- Loss of appetite.
- High fever.
- Discharge from the eyes and nose.
- Constipation, followed by diarrhea (bad odor).
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Paralysis and convulsions.
- Pigs pile up or huddle together.
Prevention
- Dead animals should be burned and buried with lime or wood ash.
- Cook kitchen scraps before feeding.
- Provide regular vaccination.
- Disinfect pen area of infected animals.
Treatment
No indigenous treatment is recorded.
Pasteurellois
Symptoms
- Fever.
- Rapid breathing.
- Coughing.
- Discharge from the nose.
- Swaying walk as rear end is very weak.
- Bluish discoloration of skin, especially in ears, snout, abdomen and inside thighs.
Prevention
- Avoid stress to the animal like crowding, heat, etc.
- Proper hygiene and sanitation.
Treatment
- See Coughs and colds.
Swine dysentery
- This disease affects all ages. It is especially common in animals weighing 60-70 kg.
- Spreads by contact with sick animals.
Symptoms
- Mucus and blood appear in diarrhea.
- Alternating between constipation and diarrhea.
- Loss of appetite, with or without fever.
- Weakness and loss of weight.
- Dehydration.
Prevention
- Avoid contact with infected animals.
- Proper hygiene and sanitation.
- Isolate infected animals.
- Prevent feces of infected animals from mixing with feed.
Treatment
- See Diarrhea and dehydration.
Swine erysipelas
- Mortality may be very high. Death may occur up to 6 days after the first sign of illness.
- The disease is spread through contact with sick animals.
Symptoms
- Fever.
- Animals walk stiffly on their toes.
- Animals lie on their chest and abdomen.
- Animals lie separately instead of in groups.
- Purplish areas of discoloration in the ears, snout and abdomen.
- Diamond-shaped skin lesions all over the body, which may peel off in prolonged cases.
Prevention
- Cook kitchen scraps before feeding. These may contain infected materials that can affect the health of the animals.
- Proper hygiene and sanitation.
- Isolate infected animals.
- In Northern Philippines, new animals which are introduced into communities are allowed to be reviewed by other members of the community to ensure that the animals are not diseased or do not possess undesirable characteristics. This can serve as an indigenous method of quarantine.
Treatment
No indigenous treatment is recorded.
Warning
Swine erysipelas can affect people; avoid or minimize contact with affected animals.
Swine influenza
- Usually occurs in cold weather.
- Spread by air and contact.
Symptoms
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Animal is inactive.
- Fever.
- Coughing and discharge from the nose and eyes.
- Lack of appetite.
- Weakness.
Prevention
- Keep animals away from damp conditions.
- Provide adequate housing and bedding, especially for piglets.
Treatment
- See Coughs and colds, Lack of appetite and Fever.
Swine pox
- Occurs frequently in 3-6 week-old pigs, but all ages may be affected.
- Spreads through lice or by contact with skin blisters of affected animals.
Symptoms
- Skin blisters or lesions.
- Small red areas on the face, ear, inner thighs and abdomen. These later develop into scabs.
- Lack of appetite.
- Mild fever.
Prevention
- Vaccinate.
- Proper hygiene and sanitation.
- Eradicate lice and other biting insects (see Lice, page 29).
Treatment
These treatments are to help heal the wounds only. They do not eliminate the organism that causes the disease.
- Prepare a decoction of 1 whole fresh turmeric plant (Curcuma longa) in 1 liter of water. Use a cloth to wash the whole body with the liquid.(India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand. 1, 2, 3, 4)
Problems of the eye
Problems of the eye
Symptoms
- Eyelids are pink.
- Eyes are swollen, itchy and watery
- Animal keeps eyes closed.
- Eyes are covered with dried material.
- Animal tries to stay away from direct sunlight.
Cause
- Bacteria, viral or systemic diseases.
- Object stuck in eye (such as dust, etc.)
- Vitamin A deficiency.
- Insects.
- Eye worms.
Bacteria can be spread by direct contact with infected animals or by flies or other insects.
Prevention
- Separate animals with eye problems from herd.
- Control flies and gnats by keeping the animals’ surroundings clean.
- Feed green roughages as a source of Vitamin A.
Eye problems can affect animals of any age, any sex and during any season, but mostly during the dry season.
Treatment
Use any of the following treatments:
- Burn and grind 1 pod of Sterculia foetida, 1 handful of snail shells and 1 thumb-size piece of red limestone. Grind 1/2 teaspoon of alum very fine. Mix the ashes and alum thoroughly. Blow the powder into the affected eyes—a light dusting each morning—until symptoms disappear. (Thailand. 1, 2, 3, 4)
- Boil about 500 g tender leaves of Leptadenia reticulate (corkswallow) in water. Feed the leaves and cooking water twice a day until symptoms disappear.(India. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
- Boil 1 kg of fresh Morifolium leaves in 3 liters of water until 2 liters remain. Strain and cool. Give 2 cups as a drench to the affected animal 3 times for 3 days. Used in central and northern Cambodia to treat conjunctivitis, coughs and colds.(Cambodia. 1, 2, 3, 4)
- Bruise a fresh leaf of Annona squamosa (custard apple) and roll it like a cigarette between the thumb and forefinger. At a distance of about 10 cm from the eye of the animal, blow through the rolled leaf. Repeat each morning until symptoms disappear. Used in Cambodia to treat keratitis, the inflammation of the comea. (Cambodia. 1, 2, 3, 4)
Any of the following treatments can be used as an eye wash:
- Rinse affected eyes with milk each day until symptoms disappear. (Cambodia, India. 1, 2, 3, 4)
- Rinse affected eyes each day with sea water until symptoms disappear. Instead of sea water, you can dissolve 1 flat teaspoon of salt in 1 liter of water.(India, 1, 2, 3, 4)
- Make an infusion using 1 teaspoon of tea leaves and 1 cup (250 ml) of water. Let stand overnight.. Strain the tea and rinse the affected animal’s eyes each day until symptoms disappear (India. 1, 2, 3, 4)
- Pound and squeeze the juice from 2 teaspoons (10 g) of fresh ginger rhizome and leave it overnight. Rinse the affected eyes in the corning. Repeat the treatment for 23 days until the animal is cured.(Northern India. 1, 2, 4)
- Boil 3 leaves of betel (Piper betle in 3 liters of water until 2 liters remain. Strain and cool. Rinse affected eyes each day until symptoms disappear.(Cambodia, Thailand. 1, 2, 3, 4)
- Rinse affected eyes with coconut water each day until the animal is cured. (Philippines, Thailand. 1, 2, 3, 4)
- Squeeze 1-2 drops of juice from the fleshy seeds of pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruit directly into the eyes of the affected animal. Repeat this 3 times a day for 3 days. (Thailand. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
- Make a powder from dried leaves and stems of ophthalmic burberry (Berberis aristata). Boil 1 teaspoon of the powder in 1 glass of water, strain and cool. Drop in infected eyes 3 times a day for 7 days.(India, 1, 2, 3, 5)
Related Posts:
Swine or Pig Management – Part 1
Swine or Pig Management – Part 3
Source: Ethnoveterinary Medicine in Asia : Swine (IIRR, 1994, 72 p.)
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