Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Respiratory Disease Welfare Management

Respiratory disease complex in pigs causes significant welfare harm and is one of the most economically and welfare-significant disease areas.

Key Facts

Porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) involves multiple pathogens acting together
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, PRRSV and influenza are key primary pathogens
Enzootic pneumonia causes chronic cough and growth retardation over months
Biosecurity, vaccination and air quality management are the key prevention strategies
Prompt diagnosis and treatment reduces disease duration and welfare impact significantly

Welfare Considerations

Respiratory disease complex causes chronic suffering through difficulty breathing, fever and reduced feeding. The multi-pathogen nature of PRDC makes prevention complex but systematic biosecurity, vaccination and air quality management substantially reduces disease burden.

What You Can Do

Support pig welfare standards requiring respiratory disease monitoring and action thresholds
Advocate for investment in pig respiratory disease research and novel vaccine development
Choose pork from farms with documented biosecurity and respiratory disease management programmes