Respiratory disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pigs globally. Understanding its welfare impact and prevention drives better outcomes for millions of farmed animals.
Respiratory disease in pigs causes prolonged suffering - affected animals struggle to breathe, lose condition, show social withdrawal, and in severe cases die. The chronic, low-grade respiratory disease affecting many conventionally managed herds represents a population-level welfare burden that often goes unrecognised because affected animals continue to survive and grow. Improved housing ventilation, reduced stocking density, all-in-all-out management, and strategic vaccination are the most effective welfare interventions. Stockperson training in respiratory disease recognition ensures early treatment reduces suffering duration.