Use of Early Weaning to Reduce Pathogen Load
It is
possible to reduce the number of pathogens and even eliminate some pathogens by
the use of early weaning. This programme
utilizes the colostral antibodies that are
transferred from the mother to her offspring within 6 to 12 hours of birth.
This method however, is fraught with potential risks:
A)
The piglet may not
consume any or sufficient colostrum
B)
The colostrum may not
contain sufficient or any antibodies to
the desired pathogen
C)
The sow may be sick
and not produce sufficient colostrum
If the group of piglets do consume sufficient antibodies from the
colostrum, the following table provides a guide to the age of weaning required
to ‘ensure’ that the piglets can be weaned free of the pathogen. Note, rigorous testing and isolation
procedures are also required to ensure that the whole programme is
successful. Note the pigs need to be
weaned before maternal antibodies have waned.
Week when most antibody lost |
Agent |
Week 1 |
Escherichia coli |
Week 2 |
Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus |
Week 3 |
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Brachyspira hyodysenteriae Haemophilus parasuis. PRRSv |
Week 4 |
Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica
(PAR) |
Week 6-9 |
Aujeszky's Disease (Pseudorabies) Enterovirus Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae PCVII PRCV Respiratory Syncytial Virus Swine Influenza Virus |
Week 12 |
Erysipelas |
Week 24 |
Parvovirus |
As a guide 14 days should be the oldest to wean pigs to achieve a segregated weaning programme.