Pig Parasites

I promised you I'd make one like I did with the bird one :D. Right Pigs..

Metastrongylus Apri

• Lungworm, so lymphotracheal migration. 
• L1 in the faeces. 

These are little small white worms which exist in the small bronchi and bronchioles. 

They are not very pathogenic. They cause:

• Decreased weight.
• May exacerbate other respiratory pathogens. 

1. L1 ingested by the earthworm. Earthworm is the INTERMEDIATE HOST.
2. L1-L3 inside the earthworm.
3. The L3 is the infective stage.
4. 4 week PPP. 

Control

• Outdoor pig problem- since worms live outside in the soil most of the time. Found in pigs between 4-6 months old.
• Control via fenbendazole in feed. 

Can diagnose via Mg2SO4 flotation solution but this worm is normally present in pigs with no clinical signs. Control is hard due to the earthworm intermediate host- housed, douse pigs and infected pasture cultivated or grazed with other stock. 

• Trichinella- see trichinellosis lecture. 

Ascaris Suum 

• Prolific egg layers. Egg takes 3-4 weeks to develop to the egg L2. 
• Eggs are resistant to disinfectants so remain viable in the environment for years. 

Life Cycle

• L2 hatches in the intestine.
• Migrates to the liver where it moults to the L3 stage.
• Migrates to the lungs-> alveoli-> S.I.
• Develops to the adult in the small intestine.
• PPP= 7 weeks.

Paratenic horse= worms & beetles. 

Disease

• Hypersensitivity response to the migrating larvae resulting in fibrous liver milk spots and transient pneumonia.
• Adults cause poor weight gain and mechanical blockage. 
• Economical losses-> poor weight gain and liver condemnations. 
• Affects young pigs.
• Clinical disease uncommon.

Diagnosis

• Typical faecal eggs.
• MgSO4 flotation solution.
• Abattoir reports & clinical signs. 

Control

• Immunity is rapid. 
• Highly resistant eggs-> steam clean indoor pens as sows contaminated the environment. 
• Problem in outdoor pigs. BZ in feed.
• Routine dose before farrowing of weaned pigs and sows.