EXUDATIVE EPIDERMITIS IN PIGS
Exudative Epidermitis
Exudative epidermitis is a systemic skin disease that occurs in pigs aged 5 to 60 days, characterized by sudden onset. The prevalence of the disease ranges from 10% to 90%, with a mortality rate between 5% and 90%. It has been reported in most pig farming regions worldwide. This disease is also referred to as “Exudative Dermatitis” or “Staphylococcal Dermatitis.”
Causes: The disease is caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus hyicus. It commonly occurs during cold weather or after an outbreak of blue ear disease (PRRS).
Symptoms:
- The disease can present in both acute and chronic forms. The acute form occurs in piglets, while the chronic form affects weaned piglets. Sows often suffer from the chronic form and can transmit the disease to their piglets.
- Piglets exhibit reduced suckling, become emaciated, and their skin becomes inflamed with excessive exudate, causing their hair to mat together (often referred to as “greasy pig”). Dry, brown scales are present, and beneath these scales, many cracks can be seen on the skin. Affected piglets often huddle together. If the inflammation is around the mouth, piglets find it very difficult to suckle. Piglets may die or survive but will be stunted and grow slowly.
- Weaned and fattening pigs show milder symptoms with a lower mortality rate but are slow-growing. They may develop exudative dermatitis with scabs or large inflammatory patches primarily on the skin of the flanks and buttocks. It can be confused with smallpox, infectious mange, or patchy skin conditions like ringworm. The disease is not itchy.
Figure 1. Exudative Epidermitis:
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Lesions: Lesions are mainly on the pig’s skin. Due to the excessive exudate, the hair becomes matted, and many pigs may have difficulty suckling due to inflammation around the mouth, which can lead to death.
Diagnosis: Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and laboratory tests.
Differential Diagnosis: The disease needs to be differentiated from mange, zinc deficiency dermatitis, pityriasis rosea, and viral circovirus dermatitis.
- Mange: Mange is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei which burrows into the skin, and Demodex, also known as hair follicle mange, causing skin inflammation with itching. It spreads throughout the herd and is difficult to treat as mites persist in the farming environment.
- Zinc Deficiency Dermatitis: Pigs are prone to this condition when they weigh 20 – 60 kg, and pregnant sows are more susceptible during late pregnancy due to feeding dry feed, high corn or plant protein, or excessive calcium. Affected pigs exhibit hair loss and skin ulcers similar to mange, fungus, and exudative dermatitis, but unlike mange or fungus, it does not cause itching. Sows affected or weaned and bred multiple times may experience infertility. Exudative dermatitis usually affects suckling or weaned piglets. If infected, ulcers may become purulent and form plaques.
- Pityriasis Rosea: Characterized by large, linked lesions resembling ringworm. Lesions are round and usually start on the abdomen and extend to the hind legs. In severe cases, they may spread over the entire body. The disease resolves on its own after 6 – 8 weeks.
- Porcine Circovirus Dermatitis: This viral disease severely impacts productivity and is costly. Also known as “Wasting Syndrome” or “Dermatitis and Nephritis Syndrome,” it is characterized by skin inflammation, stunted growth, and nephritis in pigs aged 6 – 16 weeks.
Figure 2. Some Diseases Causing Dermatitis in Pigs:
a. Pig Mange |
b. Zinc Deficiency Dermatitis |
c. Pityriasis Rosea |
d. Circovirus-Associated Dermatitis |
Treatment: This disease can be treated, but it requires persistence, especially if sows carrying the disease are present. Combine hygiene and disinfection of the piggery with antibiotic treatment. Treat both piglets and sows.
For piglets:
- AMOX LA 15% (1 ml/10 kg body weight), LINCOSEPTIN, PNEUMOTIC (1 ml/5 kg body weight), or VINAENRO 5% (1 ml/10 – 20 kg body weight), intramuscular injection once daily for 3 – 5 days.
- VINA-DEXAFORT, intramuscular injection of 1 – 3 ml per piglet to reduce inflammation.
For sows:
- AMOX 50 or AMOXCOL, administered at 1 g/50 kg body weight per dose, twice daily for 7 days, with 2 – 3 courses (each course lasting 7 days) separated by 7 days.
Notes:
- If pigs are co-infected with mange, administer subcutaneously VINAMECTIN (1 ml/12 kg body weight) or IVERMECTIN (1 ml/33 kg body weight), with 2 injections 7 – 10 days apart.
- Methylen blue can be applied to the inflamed skin for disinfection.
- Disinfect the piggery (FORMACIN, VINADIN, B.K.VET) to eliminate the pathogen in the environment.
Prevention:
- Maintain cleanliness in the piggery. Ensure that the environment is dry, with humidity not exceeding 70% and temperature not excessively hot, which facilitates bacterial growth.
- Regularly disinfect the piggery (Formacin).
- In pig farms at risk of exudative dermatitis, treat all sows with AMOX 50 or AMOXCOL for 7 days per course, with 2 – 3 courses separated by 7 days to eliminate staphylococcal pathogens and other diseases such as MMA and white diarrhea in piglets.
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