Diarrhea is one of the most common and welfare-significant health problems in pigs at all life stages. Understanding its causes and prevention is essential for improving pig welfare on farms.
Diarrhea in pigs causes significant suffering, including abdominal pain, dehydration, weakness, and failure to thrive. Affected piglets and young pigs can deteriorate rapidly, and without prompt intervention, death is common. The stress of intensive production systems — including early weaning, overcrowding, and poor hygiene — directly exacerbates the risk and severity of enteric disease. A welfare-centered approach requires not only rapid diagnosis and treatment but also addressing the underlying husbandry conditions that make pigs vulnerable. Reducing antibiotic use through improved management and vaccination is both a welfare and public health priority. Pain management is often inadequate in pigs with enteric disease and should be a standard part of treatment protocols.