Worms in pigs: symptoms and treatment

Ascariasis in pigs is considered a conditionally dangerous disease that affects the development and growth of piglets. In some cases, the death of young animals may occur, since their immunity may not cope with the toxic effects of parasitic organisms.

General characteristics of the disease

The causative agent of the disease is the roundworm Ascaris suum. They enter the pig's body and continue to develop in the small intestine. Female roundworms are quite large - on average 30 cm, and males reach a maximum height of 25 cm.

Life cycle of the parasite:

1. Each female produces from 100 to 250 eggs.
2. They leave the pig’s body along with feces, and, once in a warm environment rich in water and oxygen, the eggs begin to develop invasively. This stage lasts up to 4 weeks.
3. If an roundworm egg at the stage of invasive development enters the pig’s body along with water or food, then parasitic larvae appear in the animal’s intestines.
4. From the digestive tract they pass into the piglet's liver.
5. After some time, the larvae are sent to the right atrium of the pig.
6. Then they enter the lungs.
7. During coughing, the pig swallows the larvae along with mucus.
8. Having entered the pig’s body again, the roundworm begins to grow: this is how pig ascariasis develops.

Routes of infection

The main source of infection of pigs with ascariasis are sick individuals and their places of residence. Since the parasite eggs have high levels of resistance to external environmental factors, they can survive in the soil for about 3 years without dying in the hot season and even at frosts of -30 ^oC. The main causes of ascariasis in pigs include the following:

• pig consumption of feed containing roundworm eggs;
• sucking milk from a mother who has parasite eggs on her skin;
• eating contaminated soil (piglets eat it when there is a lack of minerals in the feed);
• unsanitary conditions for keeping pigs;
• eating earthworms that carry parasite larvae;
• the presence in the environment of a large number of beetles, flies and other insects, which are a reservoir and source of invasion;
• infection of piglets with worms in the womb;
• insufficient prevention methods, as well as proximity to sick pigs.

Why are parasites dangerous for pigs?

Ascariasis poses a particular danger to young pigs: the threat of infection decreases with age. Young animals aged 3–5 months (gilts and weanlings) are particularly affected.

Dangerous consequences of infection of pigs with roundworms:

• hemorrhage: occurs due to the migration of larvae throughout the body. During the movement of roundworms through the tissues and organs of the piglet, small vessels are damaged;
• inflammatory processes;
• pig intoxication: larvae living in the body of pigs can not only release their waste products, but also die, which negatively affects the animal’s immune system;
• allergy to larval metabolic products;
• damage to the pig's intestinal mucosa;
• blockage of the gastrointestinal tract and its rupture with subsequent death of the pig;
• difficulty in the outflow of bile: when the parasite enters the bile duct;
• ascariasis pneumonia: occurs in young pigs with severe infection.

Distribution and causes

Porcine ascariasis is a disease that has no boundaries. Parasitic larvae can live in almost any conditions, so there is no territorial division into dangerous and safe regions. The only difference is that in areas with a humid and warm climate, piglets are at risk of contracting ascariasis all year round. Regions with harsher climates are less vulnerable, but the peak incidence of ascariasis occurs in the spring and summer months. Roundworms are most widespread in regions where pig farming is large-scale, as well as in tropical zones and countries with a low standard of living.

Statistics of ascariasis disease

The main reasons for the development of ascariasis in piglets include the following factors:

• vitamin deficiency: this is why in countries where there is no financial opportunity to add special additives to pig feed, the number of infected animals is high;
• poor care, violation of rules for keeping piglets;
• unbalanced nutrition, in which the piglet’s body does not receive the required amount of minerals and carotene;
• dampness in pigsties and high levels of air humidity;
• purchasing feed in areas where there is an increased level of roundworm infection.

Symptoms of ascariasis in pigs

Every owner of piglets should know about the signs of worms in pigs, since the health of the livestock and even life depend on this. The clinical picture depends entirely on the stage of development of the larvae that enter the body. It is customary to divide the degree of infection into two forms:

• chronic (intestinal or imaginal) – adult worms multiply in the body;
• acute (pulmonary, larval, migratory) – develops in the initial period of migration of larvae throughout the piglet’s body.

Symptoms of acute ascariasis in pigs:

• dyspnea;
• breathing is difficult, hoarse;
• the presence of bronchogenic pneumonia and bronchitis, which are manifested by a dry cough of a piglet, as well as a cough in which purulent and mucous sputum is released;
• increase in body temperature - up to 41 - 42 ^oC;
• convulsions and paresis;
• anxiety, behavior of the piglet, similar to fear;
• vomit;
• manifestation of allergic reactions;
• cyanosis of mucous membranes;
• redness of the skin, accompanied by short convulsions of the pig (no more than 1 minute);
• increased breathing;
• grinding of teeth;
• swelling of the intermaxillary area and eyelids of the pig.

Symptoms of chronic ascariasis in pigs:

• loss of interest in food by young animals;
• constipation that alternates with diarrhea;
• presence of signs of gastroenteritis;
• weight loss;
• slowing pig growth.

In the absence of effective treatment for worms, anorexia, anemia, intoxication and eosinophilia develop, which can lead to the death of the piglet.

Signs of worms in piglets

Small piglets, which are at greater risk of infection with roundworms, are more difficult to tolerate the development of worms in their bodies. To the above symptoms, which are characteristic of all ages of the animal, we can add the following signs characteristic of young pigs:

• trembling of the belly and limbs (observed in gilts);
• desire to lie on your side, rapid fatigue;
• lack of coordination of movements;
• jaundice;
• pneumonia;
• stool that is bloody or black in color;
• secretion of saliva in large quantities;
• the piglet's desire to hide (burrow) in the litter;
• rashes that appear in the form of flat papules, which disappear after a few days, and dark stripes remain in their place.

These symptoms should be of greatest concern to owners of three-month-old piglets.

Establishing diagnosis

Diagnosis of ascariasis in piglets is carried out in various ways, each of which has its own pros and cons.

How to remove worms from pigs

Every owner should know not only about the symptoms of worms in piglets, but also about treatment methods at home. The further condition of the piglet depends on how effective measures are taken at the early stage of the disease and at the first detection of signs of infection.

Anti-worm medications for pigs

There are many anti-worm medications for pigs, which are prescribed only after consultation with a specialist and are selected based on the stage of development of helminths. The most commonly prescribed medications for worms are:

Deworming injections for pigs are not always the most effective. In some cases, a feed additive applied for only 2 days is most practical.

During treatment, piglets must be placed in separate rooms with concrete floors. The premises should also be cleaned regularly and equipment should be treated with alkaline solutions. If pigs have vegetables in their diet, they must be heat treated.

Folk remedies for worms in pigs

In addition to deworming tablets, folk remedies are also used for pigs, which are also very effective.

• garlic - add to pig food at the rate of 1 g per 1 kg of animal;
• a mixture of garlic and tansy flowers in a 1:1 ratio at the rate of 1 g of mixture per 1 kg of live weight;
• raw pumpkin - it is fed to adult pigs unboiled;
• beet tops – fresh, as one feeding;
• brine from cabbage, tomatoes and cucumbers - add to the pig's porridge or drink.

Treatment of worms in piglets

It is best to give small piglets drugs with a more gentle effect against worms. The veterinarian should choose them, prescribing the necessary, and most importantly, safe dosage.

Medicines for worms for piglets

Most often, experts prescribe the following medications to piglets:

• 10% albendazole - granular powder for deworming for pigs is used per 1 kg of live weight 100;
• albene;
• fenbendazole;
• invermectin;
• preparations with iodine.

Treatment of piglets for worms using folk remedies

For young animals, who are most susceptible to infection due to a weak immune system, the use of folk remedies can be recommended:

• tansy flowers – 1 tsp. powder 1 time per day along with food;
• pumpkin porridge;
• decoction of pumpkin seeds.

Set of preventive measures

The negative consequences that worms cause in pigs can be seen in the photo. To prevent their appearance and development, it is best to carry out a number of preventive measures. The main rule that all pig breeders should remember is: newly acquired pigs must be placed in a separate room (quarantine), where they are examined for the presence of all helminths, including roundworms.

To prevent the development of ascariasis in pigs, it is necessary to:

• remove manure from the pigsty daily;
• follow the rules of farrowing;
• create comfortable conditions for newly farrowed pigs that meet sanitary standards;
• Regularly wash all equipment with a solution of soda ash (piglet feeders, pig waterers, etc.);
• maintain a proper diet;
• carry out timely deworming of pigs;
• organize visits for animals to a veterinarian for routine examinations;
• separate walking and keeping of mature pigs and young animals;
• burn manure resulting from the activities of infected pigs;
• annually plow paddocks for pigs (carry out the event in the autumn);
• eliminate factors contributing to the development of the disease (increased air humidity, high temperature, lack of natural ventilation in the room where the pigs are kept).

Is it possible to eat meat if pigs have roundworms?

If piglets are not given deworming injections or tablets in a timely manner, there is a risk that the slaughtered pig will be infected with ascariasis. When eating meat containing parasite larvae, there is a high risk of contracting human worms.

Due to the fact that adult worms and roundworm larvae in pork can remain viable for a long time, eating contaminated meat is possible only after careful heat treatment. Before eating pork, it must be fried, boiled or stewed at a temperature of at least 70 ^oC, only under this condition can pig meat be considered safe for consumption.

Conclusion

Ascariasis in pigs is easier to prevent than to cure. Therefore, it is important to follow the recommendations for animal care and not to violate the vaccination schedule for piglets against worms.

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