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Swine co-infections “can make bigger impact than we think”

New studies stress the importance of diagnosing co-infections when treating sick pigs.

Dr. JD Fiechtner with Boehringer Ingelheim says one study focused on Porcine Reproductive and Respitarory Syndrome (PRRS) with a co-infection of Porcine Circovirus, and the other looked at PRRS co-infected with Ileitis.

“We have learned that each disease pathogen on its own is what we’ve kind of looked at in the past, but today the interactions, interplay, and the dynamics between multiple disease ideologies can make a bigger impact than we think.”

Speaking to Brownfield during the World Pork Expo earlier this month, he said diagnostic testing continues to improve.

“So we can get very specific, very sensitive tests, so we have the ability to know and understand what is impacting our herds. So when we can start with that and know what’s there, then we shift the gear in as what’s the best methodology to prevent and or treat.”

Fiechtner says pork producers can’t afford to strictly manage just one disease by itself anymore, but instead look at the whole and focus on prevention and timely immune stimulation.