Parasitic Diseases of Pigs: Symptoms and Control

1. Sarcoptic Mange

• Symptoms:
• Severe itching and irritation
• Thickening of skin in affected areas
• Hypersensitivity
• Lesions similar to hyperkeratosis
• Treatment and Control:
• Affected areas can be treated by pressure spraying with insecticides such as:
• Lindane
• Malathion
• Polysulphides
• Toxaphene
• Trichlorfon
• Ivermectin injection given to sows between 8–37 days after farrowing is highly effective in eliminating mites

2. Demodectic Mange

• Symptoms:
• Small red pinpoint lesions around:
• Eyes
• Snout
• Underside of neck and abdomen
• Inner thighs
• Control:
• Maintain proper hygiene and consult a veterinarian for appropriate treatment

3. External Parasites (Lice, Flies, Fleas, Ticks)

• Symptoms:
• Irritation and restlessness
• Continuous scratching
• Treatment and Control:
• Apply dusting powder containing 5% ronnel over the body
• Alternatively, animals can be sprayed or dipped using:
• 0.25% malathion solution
• 0.25% ronnel solution
• 0.6% Co-Ral solution

4. Ascariasis (Roundworm Infection)

• Symptoms:
• Coughing
• Poor growth and unthriftiness in severe cases
• Reduced feed efficiency
• Permanent liver damage, leading to long-term poor performance
• Control:
• Regular deworming and maintaining hygiene

5. Trichinosis

• Symptoms:
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive sweating
• Muscular pain resembling rheumatism
• Control:
• Proper cooking of pork and maintaining hygiene

6. Whipworm (Trichuris suis)

• Symptoms:
• Loss of appetite (anorexia)
• Mucus-containing diarrhea with blood
• Anaemia
• Difficulty in breathing
• Weakness, dehydration, and possible death
• Control:
• Deworming and improved sanitation

7. Nodular Worm (Strongylidae)

• Symptoms:
• Skin eruptions
• Local bleeding (haemorrhages)
• Acute diarrhea
• Weight loss (emaciation)
• Anaemia and vomiting
• Control:
• Regular deworming and hygiene practices

8. Lungworm (Metastrongylus)

• Symptoms:
• Persistent cough
• Difficulty in breathing (dyspnea)
• Control:
• Deworming and avoiding exposure to contaminated environments

9. Kidney Worm (Stephanurus dentatus)

• Symptoms:
• Usually no obvious clinical signs
• Control:
• Preventive deworming and proper sanitation