Farm Animals

Farmed Pig Acute Respiratory Disease: Recognition and Response

Rapid identification of acute respiratory outbreaks in pigs limits welfare impact through timely veterinary intervention.

Key Facts

Acute pleuropneumonia from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae can kill pigs within 24 hours
Clinical signs include sudden death, high fever, bloody discharge, and laboured breathing
Early antibiotic treatment of affected groups significantly reduces mortality and suffering duration
Post-mortem examination of early deaths guides treatment choice and outbreak management

Welfare Considerations

Acute respiratory disease causes rapid severe suffering - breathlessness, high fever, and death. Early detection and treatment by trained stockpersons directly reduces both mortality and duration of suffering. Vaccination and biosecurity prevent outbreaks that cause welfare emergencies.

What You Can Do

Support farm welfare programmes requiring trained disease recognition for stockpersons
Advocate for veterinary practice partnership requirements in pig farm welfare certification
Choose pork from farms with documented disease response protocols and veterinary engagement