Progressive Atrophic Rhinitis and Pig Welfare

Progressive atrophic rhinitis (PAR) is a bacterial infection of the nasal turbinates in pigs causing permanent nasal deformity and chronic welfare impacts.

Key Facts

PAR is caused by Pasteurella multocida toxin, often predisposed by Bordetella bronchiseptica co-infection
Turbinate atrophy causes permanent nasal deformity — snout twisting and shortening — that affects airflow and causes chronic discomfort
Clinical outbreaks typically occur in 3-8 week old piglets; older pigs develop clinical signs after earlier subclinical infection
Vaccination of breeding sows to protect piglets through colostral immunity is the primary control strategy

Welfare Considerations

PAR causes a two-phase welfare impact: acute rhinitis in young piglets with sneezing, nasal discharge and distress, followed by permanent turbinate destruction that causes chronic airway welfare compromise in finishing pigs. Affected pigs breathe with difficulty, have reduced exercise tolerance and are more susceptible to secondary respiratory disease. The deformity is permanent and progressive welfare monitoring of finishing pigs with severe snout deviation is important to assess airway welfare impact. Vaccination-based control has dramatically reduced PAR prevalence in well-managed herds.

What You Can Do

Implement sow vaccination programmes against B. bronchiseptica and P. multocida toxin before farrowing
Monitor weaned piglets for sneezing, nasal discharge and snout deviation as early welfare indicators of PAR outbreaks
Investigate biosecurity deficiencies when PAR incidence rises — breakdown often follows introduction of infected breeding stock
Assess airway welfare of finishing pigs with significant snout deviation through clinical examination and breathing assessment