Farm Animals

Pig Respiratory Disease and Welfare

Respiratory disease in pigs causes significant suffering and welfare losses in grower-finisher units, and improved ventilation and vaccination reduce disease burden effectively.

Key Facts

Enzootic pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae affects most UK pig units
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) causes severe acute welfare impacts
Poor ventilation and high ammonia levels predispose pigs to respiratory disease
Vaccination against Mycoplasma and PRRS is effective and widely used
Early detection through coughing index scoring enables targeted treatment before disease spreads

Welfare Considerations

Respiratory disease causes significant suffering in affected pigs and is often preventable through ventilation management and vaccination. Systematic monitoring enables early intervention that reduces welfare costs.

What You Can Do

Support farms with comprehensive respiratory disease vaccination and monitoring programmes
Advocate for ventilation standards in pig housing welfare requirements
Ask producers about their respiratory disease prevalence and monitoring protocols