Transmissible Gastroenteritis
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Definition |
TGE |
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Agent |
TGE is caused by
a virus belonging to the virus family coronavirus |
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Related viruses 1 PRCV Porcine Respiratory Coronavirus
which is a mutant of TGE 2 Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea virus I and
II 3 Haemagglutinating Encephalomyelitis
virus The emergence of
PRCV in 1986 effectively vaccinated the European herd against TGE. In America PRCV
only appears to reduce the clinical signs |
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Clinical
signs |
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Initially |
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Watery diarrhoea (foul smelling yellowish-green often containing flecks of
undigested milk particles in the piglet); vomiting and loss of appetite in
pigs of all ages. The disease
spreads rapidly around the farm. Piglets less than
21 days of age are all affected and generally die. Weaners become
unthrifty. Growers, finishers and
adults are generally mildly affected and will survive if their water supplies
are adequate. Outbreaks on
smaller herds generally only last 3 weeks. |
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Chronic |
On large herds
the disease can persist for some time contributing to post-weaning diarrhoea. |
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Spread |
Spread occurs
directly or indirectly through contact with infected faeces. Starlings in
particular are implicated in the spread of the virus. The virus is
relatively fragile and susceptible to disinfectants and drying. However, can
survive a few days in the cold, hence the disease is more severe in the
winter |
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Incubation |
18 hours to 3
days |
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Treatment
and Control measures |
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Treatment |
There is no
specific treatment. Vaccine are
generally disappointing. However,
nursing and enhanced management of the piglet may reduce loss |
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• Provide warmth, extra bedding and fluids (electrolytes) |
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• If sows go
off their milk provide milk replacer/creep |
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• Cross-suckle affected piglets onto recovered sows |
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• Early wean into warm dry flat decks or similar accommodation |
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• Use
antibiotics as directed by your vet to
control secondary infections |
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Ensure that all non-pregnant and pregnant (up
to 3 weeks pre-farrowing) are exposed to the TGE virus (intestines and feaces
of affected piglets). |
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Sows about to farrow must not be exposed or
they will infect their offspring and have inadequate colostrum to provide
adequate cover |
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Control |
Critically
assess your general hygiene and disease
control measures. Including the avoidance of unwanted
visitors |
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Provide specific
loading/unloading areas for pigs and keep them clean |
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Utilise
adequately isolation facilities for introduced animals |
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Bird proof pig units where practical |
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Avoid spillage of
feed around hoppers, and where food is split
clean it up |
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On yarding
systems cover all feed hoppers |
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Zoonotic implications |
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None |
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