DISEASES OF THE PIG
Fortunately, the pig is subject to comparatively few serious
diseases--save swine fever, swine erysipelas, and very occasionally
anthrax, which are contagious or infectious, and all in the special
charts of the veterinary department of the Board of Agriculture, and
within the contagious Diseases Animals Acts. Prior to the stamping out
of Foot and Mouth Disease or apthous fever and rabies, pigs suffered
from these contagious and infectious diseases, particularly the former
of the two, which caused immense losses, especially of young pigs,
during the latter half of the past century.
Of the other ailments to which pig flesh is heir, the majority and the
chief of them are mainly due to that want of knowledge or care in the
feeding and in the housing of the pigs which renders them more
susceptible to the sudden changes in the temperature or to the
inclemency of the season. In former chapters some, if not all, of these
ailments have been referred to, but it may be more convenient to our
readers to include in one chapter a brief description of the ailments
and the remedies and means of prevention.
SWINE FEVER
Some thirty years since the losses from this disease were of so serious
a nature that the Board of Agriculture determined to attempt to stamp it
out, as they had succeeded in stamping out pleura pneumonia in cattle,
and foot and mouth disease. The success of their efforts was not at all
commensurate with the outlay. The failure was attributed to many causes;
amongst them the want of a complete knowledge of the disease, the
impossibility of diagnosing it during the life of the patient, the
absence of sympathy on the part of the local veterinary surgeons owing
to certain steps taken by the then Veterinary Adviser of the Board, to
which further reference is now inadvisable, and to the general
opposition of pig-keepers who had as little faith in many of the post
mortems and their results as in the power of the authorities to stamp
out the disease which under various names had been more or less common
in the country so long as they could remember. Doubts were also passed
on the infectivity or contagiousness of swine fever, or as it was
variously termed red soldier, spots, etc.
This disbelief was probably due in part to the fact that some of the
external symptoms of swine fever, swine erysipelas, and heart disease,
such as discoloration of the skin were of a similar character. In some
instances this redness of the skin, which was looked upon as a sure sign
that the pig had died from swine fever, did not prove to be infectious,
as no other cases followed amongst the in-contact pigs. This led to the
general belief that swine fever was not necessarily infectious.
Dissatisfaction with the arbitrary manner in which the restrictions in
movement, etc., were carried out did not mend matters, nor help to
render the efforts of the Board more successful.
At the present time it is imperative on the part of the owner of an ill
pig to report the fact to the nearest policeman. The owner then merely
carries out the instructions supplied to him by the police so that it is
almost unnecessary to state that the symptoms of swine fever are
several. At times the attack is of so virulent a nature that a pig may
take its food all right in the afternoon and be dead the next morning,
no discoloration of the skin or other external symptoms being visible
before or immediately after death.
As a rule when the pig is attacked the first symptom is loss of
appetite, generally accompanied by a feverish condition of the skin
which shows more or fewer red spots behind the shoulder, and inside the
thighs, or in those portions of the body where the skin is the thinnest
and most free from hair. The great desire of the affected pig is to
burrow into the litter and to remain undisturbed, save when the feverish
thirst impels it to seek moisture of any sort or kind, even urine which
may have settled into any unevenness of the floor of the sty.
Many of the ailing pigs suffer from a dry, husky cough, a gummy
discharge exudes from the eyes and forms a ring round them, the ankles
become affected, and the muscles of the back become weakened so that
the pig has difficulty in walking. The discoloration of the skin may or
may not increase, but the weakness gradually becomes greater so that
death may follow within a day or two from the first attack. Occasionally
the affected pig will continue to live for several days, and eventually
recover so much that it can be fatted, but there exists a great risk of
the recovered pig being what is termed a "carrier" of the disease, and
possessing the ability to infect other pigs with which it may come in
close contact, although the germs of the disease which it carries do not
affect its own health. Similar instances of human beings being
"carriers" of the disease have been recorded. So difficult is it at
times to discover the source of the infection of swine fever that
certain persons who are not amongst the strongest believers in the
practical knowledge of the members of the veterinary profession assert
that swine fever need not necessarily be the result of infection, but
that injudicious feeding or the neglect of sanitary arrangements will
sometimes cause an outbreak. There does not appear to be the slightest
ground for this belief, as there is a specific virus which when it
obtains ingress into the body of the pig, whether by the mouth, nose, or
in any other way, may result in an attack, more or less severe, of swine
fever, unless the virus has become so attenuated that it is unable to
affect the host sufficiently. This attenuation, which is due to causes
which are probably not completely known, is commonly the cause of the
absence of further cases of swine fever amongst one of a lot of pigs
which has had a very mild attack. This variation in the virulence of
most infectious diseases has been noticed and recorded.
At the present time the Board of Agriculture have suspended the
slaughter order in cases where the owner of the pigs desires to
inoculate the in-contact pigs with serum which is supplied from the
Veterinary College. The experiment has not been in operation
sufficiently long enough to express a confident opinion upon its
results, but it is stated that in Denmark the inoculation of the pigs
which have been in contact with diseased pigs has proved to be a
success. The risks of carrying out the experiment are by no means
slight, but appear to be worth running if there be any great probability
of success.
SWINE ERYSIPELAS
The symptoms of this disease, which fortunately is not so common as
swine fever, owing probably to its being more fatal and in a shorter
time, are very similar to those of swine fever, save that the husky
cough and the weakness of the muscles of the back are generally absent.
The post mortem shows distinctive differences from those of swine fever.
There appears to be far greater difficulty in thoroughly disinfecting
the sty in which pigs suffering from erysipelas have been housed than
after swine fever cases; not only so, but the virus remains active for a
very long period, so that any accident which may expose the virus even
after many months may affect any pigs with which it comes in contact.
In an outbreak of swine erysipelas it is advisable to have the
unaffected pigs inoculated as well as those housed in a sty or building
in which at any time pigs suffering from erysipelas have been housed. A
certain limited number may die, and a few suffer for a time, but the
total loss will be considerably reduced.
ANTHRAX, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE AND RABIES
It may be unnecessary to describe these very infectious or contagious
diseases to which pigs are subject, as fortunately the steps taken to
stamp them out, and which were much decried when taken by the Board of
Agriculture, have proved so successful that the two latter are stamped
out, and the first named is so promptly and effectually dealt with that
a case of it amongst swine is seldom recorded.
CRAMP, DIARRH[OE]A AND EPILEPTIC FITS
These diseases, which are more frequent amongst young pigs, have been
fully described in the chapters dealing with the rearing, weaning, and
growing of pigs, where it is pointed out that they are all mainly due to
faults in feeding, and the simple remedies applicable are there given.
Hernia and Scrotal Hernia are also treated upon in the chapter on the
Farrowing Sow.
INVERSION OF THE VAGINA OR THE UTERUS
These two troubles, of which the latter is a complete expulsion and the
former only a partial protrusion of the "breeding bag," are generally
the result of a difficult or a protracted farrowing. The second is
almost impossible of treatment, and indeed may be declared as fatal, so
that the loss may be reduced by prompt slaughter.
The first varies in extent; a partial or limited inversion may at times
be noticeable during the latter stages of pregnancy, and then after
delivery may disappear without treatment until the pressure due to the
increasing size of the f[oe]tus again causes it. Even in serious cases
which attend the delivery and are due to excessive straining of the sow,
the attack is not necessarily fatal if extreme care in treatment is
applied. The first thing is to wash the protruding part with warm water,
to which some disinfectant has been added, in order that all dirt, short
straw, etc., shall be removed. The sow should then be made to rise, or
if she refuses, as is not uncommon, the hind quarters of the sow should
be raised and the protruding portion be gently but firmly forced back.
In order to prevent a re-expulsion stitches with strong cord or leather
lace should be inserted into the edges of the vulva--these need not be
very close together or otherwise the sow would be unable to make water.
For a few days the sow must be kept as quiet as possible and fed on a
little nourishing but laxative food, so that the pressure on the vagina
is slight until the muscles regain their normal strength. Should there
be the slightest symptom of constipation, salts or castor oil should be
given to the sow. No harm, but rather good, will attend the giving of a
gentle dose of salts at the first time of feeding after the operation as
there is certain to be an amount of inflammation present.
INVERSION OF THE RECTUM
This expulsion of the gut as it is commonly termed is not often
experienced amongst mature pigs. Young pigs are not uncommonly affected
save when constipation is neglected, or when the food is of a heating
nature which causes continual difficulty on the part of the pig in
expelling the faeces. The effort of straining causes the gut to exude.
Similar treatment, save as to the stitching of the part, as with
inversion of the vagina, should be followed.
TENDER FEET
This trouble is frequently mistaken for cramp or rheumatism, and is
generally due to the same causes, injudicious feeding, etc. In the
latter disease the ankles are mainly affected, in the case of fever in
the feet, the feet only are affected. A strong dose of Epsom salts
should be given and daily doses of nitre should be given in the food.
The object should be to reduce and remove the fever and then to cure or
remove that tenderness and soreness of the feet which follows the fever.
Poulticing the feet and applying diluted white oils by adding equal
quantities of water and vinegar around the coronets are both remedial
measures of great value.
CONSTIPATION
This trouble is very common amongst pigs which are confined to the
sties, its avoidance is comparatively easy, when the want of exercise is
the sole cause. A run in an enclosure or even in the road will almost
always result in the pig evacuating dung and water. A dose of salts,
varying from 1/2 oz. to 1-1/2 oz. for each pig, according to age, in the
next supply of food is advisable.
Constipation is usually the first indication of many of the troubles to
which the pig is heir. The little pig on its mother becomes constipated
when the food fed to the mother is unsuitable, and the pig suffers from
indigestion; fever caused by a chill is also foretold by constipation
which should be first removed by a gentle dose of salts or of castor
oil; the last only to be used in severe cases. Linseed oil is also
frequently used to relieve the constipation, but with this there is a
fear of billiousness following its use. If exercise and the above
remedies do not effect a cure, an enema of soap and water or even
glycerine may be necessary. Old-fashioned pigmen remove the hard and
knotty faeces by the aid of the finger.
ECZEMA
This is sometimes called a skin disease, but it appears to be rather a
symptom of a severe attack of indigestion or of billiousness than a
disease in itself. It shows itself in the form of a bright red spot,
varying in size from that of a threepenny piece to that of a shilling,
these spots vary greatly in number. Small pimples appear on the spots
from which a sticky fluid exudes. As soon as the bowels are thoroughly
relieved by aperient medicine, the spots become dark in colour and peel
off the skin. The application of oil to the spots hastens the shedding
of them. A dose of sulphur of one to eight drachms in addition to the
salts will be beneficial.
Frequently the pig will refuse to eat, it will then be necessary to dose
it. The pig must be caught, its head raised and the liquid gently poured
down its throat, the greatest care being taken not to pour the liquid
whilst the pig is squealing or the medicine will go into the lungs and
cause suffocation, or inflammation of the lungs which will generally
prove fatal.
MEASLES
This is a trouble of a very similar character to eczema save that the
red spots are more numerous and of a more irritating character. The
patient is continually rubbing itself against the wall or any prominence
in an endeavour to relieve the itching. The pig is also more feverish.
The pig should be placed in a warm sty, with plenty of dry straw, into
which it will quickly burrow. A dose of Epsom salts to which is added a
small quantity of spirit of nitre should be given, as the pig affected
will almost invariably refuse food for a time. Neat's foot or sweet oil
applied to the spots will relieve the irritation.
RICKETS
This is not by any means a common ailment amongst pigs, but it is very
hereditary. The most common cause is too close breeding. The bones and
joints appear to be unequal to the performance of their duties, the pig
staggers and stumbles when it attempts to move, whilst sometimes the
back is affected, when the pig is stated to be suffering from
"swayback." As a rule treatment is inadvisable as recovery is doubtful.
The first loss by knocking the pig on the head is generally the least.
TUBERCULOSIS
Pigs, like unto human beings, are much subject to tuberculosis when they
are kept under conditions similar to those which result in human beings
becoming affected. The disease is highly infectious, pigs coming in
contact with or even being housed in sties where pigs affected have been
recently kept are very likely to become infected. Some persons declare
that tuberculosis, or, as it is more commonly called, consumption, is
hereditary. For this there does not appear to be any foundation. The
chief thing to prevent one's animals being affected is to keep them away
from contagion. Although many parts of the body may be attacked by
tuberculosis, the lungs are more frequently affected than any other of
the organs, owing probably to the ease with which infection by the
minute germ is conveyed to the lungs in the act of breathing.
In the past a considerable number of pigs became infected through being
fed on skim milk which contained germs from the udder of a cow suffering
from a tuberculous udder. In these cases of the lungs and the bowels
becoming tubercular, the pigs become unthrifty and frequently waste away
and die. When the bones and other portions of the body are attacked the
development of the disease is not so rapid, but in any case the wisest
plan is to destroy the animal and thoroughly disinfect the place in
which it has been kept. Save when the disease is local and of very
limited duration the meat of a pig suffering from tuberculosis is unfit
for human consumption.
WORMS
Pigs are subject to various kinds of worms. Of these the most serious by
far is the worm which causes the disease called Trichinosis in man. The
worms are transmitted to man in pork from a diseased pig. Thorough
cooking of meat appears to destroy the vitality of the worm, but in
foreign countries where the pork is eaten in an uncooked or an
undercooked condition the disease is not uncommon. Fortunately,
Trichinosis is almost unknown in this country, owing to our more
stringent sanitary conditions, the disease being due in the pig to the
eating of human excrement in which are thread worms.
The most common kind of pig worm in this country is the round white
worm, pointed at both ends. Its length varies from one to several
inches. Its presence is often unsuspected until one or more of the worms
are noticed in the dung of the pig. It is readily got rid of by keeping
the pigs from food for at least twelve hours, and then giving them a
little tempting food in which a dose of santonine, varying from three to
ten grains for each pig, according to its age, has been added. Some two
hours later a dose of castor oil of from 1/4 oz. to 2 oz., or of one to
two ounces of Epsom salts, should be given in milk or some other
tempting food. Similar treatment will prove successful in the case of
pigs affected with the smaller kind of worms save that of the worm which
causes what is commonly known as "husk." This worm makes its home in the
windpipe and bronchial tubes. It is advisable to obtain from a chemist a
drench for the riddance of this worm, as the remedies will consist of
linseed oil, turpentine, spirits of camphor, and asaf[oe]tida.
SORE TEATS
Occasionally the teats of sows, especially sows with their first
litters, become chapped or sore. This trouble is frequently due to the
too vigorous sucking of the little pigs when the supply of milk is
short, to the biting of the teats when the sharp little teeth have not
been broken off, or even to cold winds.
An application of boro-glyceride will usually effect a speedy cure. In
persistent cases it will be advisable to give the sow a dose or two of
opening medicine such as salts or sulphur.
SALT AND SODA POISONING
Although these can scarcely be classed as diseases, the effects are
often more serious than those of some actual diseases to which swine are
more or less subject.
In the majority of cases the cause is the neglect of the cook to keep
separate from the swill the water in which salted meat or other food has
been boiled, or the water to which soda has been added in the washing
of the plates, etc. An attack if at all severe is usually fatal.
The symptoms are a discoloration of the skin, and a refusal of food. As
these are the usual symptoms of several other ailments, it is difficult
to determine the cause of death save by a post-mortem examination. It is
to be feared that this mixing of a solution of salt and soda with the
other swill will be one of the difficulties met with in the more general
utilisation of kitchen refuse in the keeping of pigs.