Sow Herd Vaccination Strategies – Why and when we do what we do

Cameron Schmitt, DVM, MSPipestone Veterinary Clinic

Vaccines - Basics

1. Stimulate immunity to protect sows

2. Stimulate immunity to protect piglets via colostrum

Vaccines to protect sows Parvo Lepto Erysipelas Salmonella Ileitis Mycoplasma SIV PRRSV

Parvo

Virus Causes abortions and high levels of

mummies Immunity to wild virus is life long Most gilts exposed during

development

Lepto

Bacteria Immunity is short Rarely seen in indoor animals Transmitted via water and poor

sanitation Inexpensive antigen

Erysipelas

Bacteria Can cause high mortality Acute septic condition Classic skin lesions, joint swelling, fever Killed vaccine (injectible) provides 6

months of protection Live vaccine (water) provides less

measurable protection and is questioned

Salmonella

Bacteria 2 types – cholerasuis (septic),

typhimurium (enteric) Seen in stressful conditions Live (water) vaccine DOI is debated Given as gilts and when piglets show

signs

Ileitis

Bacteria – Intracellular Severe enteric condition Hemorrhagic form mostly seen in

sows Vaccine (water) very effective if given

at appropriate time Immunity appears to be of long

duration

Mycoplasma

Bacteria/pseudobacteria Lives on ciliated cells of the

respiratory tract Causes chronic pneumonia Vaccine – injectible DOI is at least 25 weeks Used to help gilts grow to potential Debated use in breeding herds

SIV - Flu

Virus Fast moving typically If uncomplicated, short episode Causes cough and shedding to piglets If getting control at sow unit – whole

herd blanket, if controlling nursery problems, pre-farrow

PRRSV

Virus Not enough known Killed and Live vaccines available Live – whole herd approach Killed – pre-farrow approach Variable use – discuss with your

veterinarian

Vaccines to protect Piglets

SIV E. coli Clostridium perfringens types A+C PRRSV? Rotavirus Mycoplasma? Bordetella, Pasteurella

SIV - Flu

Virus Vaccine produces high levels of

antibodies in colostrum Piglets seropositive until end of

nursery typically Gives protection during the first

several weeks in nursery

E. coli

Bacteria Many types (strains) Causes diarrhea in farrowing typically

in 1st 5 days of life Given pre-farrow to booster colostral

antibody for protection during lactation

Clostridium perfringens types A+C

Bacteria Causes diarrhea in farrowing typically

in 1st 5 days of life Given pre-farrow to booster colostral

antibody for protection during lactation

PRRSV

Virus Killed vaccine boosters high levels of

colostral antibody – potentially giving protection – debated

Rotavirus

Virus Many strains Diarrhea in piglets from 2-25 days of

age Vaccine (killed) boosts colostral

antibody – debatable efficacy Feedback – Delivers herd strains pre-

farrow to booster colostral immunity and decrease virus shedding by sow

Mycoplasma

Bacteria/pseudobacteria Causes cough/chronic pneumonia in

growing pigs Potentiates PRRSV Shedding at sow unit is variable Some data supports using this pre-

farrow to reduce shedding Trial underway

Bordetella/Pasteurella

Bacteria Cause of Atrophic Rhinitis

Rarely seen anymore as toxigenic P. mult prevalence low

Cough at wean often attributed to bacterial pneumonia

Vaccine has limited efficacy

Vaccination Timing

PLE – Called pre-breed Due to high throughput, vaccinating

pre-breed means in farrowing Throws sows off feed We typically don’t use in farrowing Given 3-7 weeks pre-farrow typically

Vaccination Timing

Salmonella Given in gilt development

Ileitis Given in gilt development

Mycoplasma Given in gilt development

Vaccination Timing

SIV Given in gilt development and pre-farrow

E. coli Given in gilt development and pre-farrow

Clostridium perfringens types A+C Given in gilt development and pre-farrow

Typical Vaccination Timeline

Breed WeanFarrow

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1 2 3 1

PLE/S

IVSIV

E.

coli/C

lost

E.

coli/C

lost

Items in blue represent gilt vaccines

Backfeeding

Discussion items

PRRSV SIV PCV2 Others?