Animal Production

1. SWINE HERD
HEALTH
PROGRAM
Lesson 1 – 4th Quarter

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this chapter, you should be
able to:
 Understand the underlying concepts and
principles of swine health management;
 Distinguish sick pigs and conduct
appropriate measures on recording,
quarantine, observation, and specimen
collection; and
 Perform proper handling of drugs and
biologics, administer drugs or vaccines
through injection or other means, and

3. Disease hinders the optimum
production of swine and a pig
farm's business operations. The
occurrence of disease among a
herd of swine should not be
blamed on the disease agent
alone. Often, the spread of
disease in a pig farm is caused by
three factors in the
epidemiological triad: disease

4. Disease agents such as
microorganisms (bacteria,
viruses, and fungi) and
parasites (external: lice, mites,
ticks, flies, and mosquitoes;
internal: protozoa and
helminths) will not be able to
cause diseases if the host's
immune system is strong, and
the environment is conducive to

5.  Proper nutrition, adequate housing,
biosecurity, and efficient management
practices should be implemented to
prevent the spread of diseases in a pig
farm. Immediate recognition of signs of
disease and prompt medication will stop
the disease agent from its track.
Strengthening the immunity of the pigs
and controlling the population of vectors
and intermediate hosts through the use of
vaccines, drugs, and others biologics are
necessary to minimize the susceptibility of

6. Common Diseases and Disorders of
Pigs and Swine Vaccination Program
 Some of the general symptoms of unhealthy
pigs are weakness, decreased appetite,
difficulty in breathing or swallowing,
increased body temperature, increased nasal
or ocular secretions, coughing, vomiting,
diarrhea, paleness, rough hair, dry skin, poor
growth or stunting, wasting (decreased
weight and lean tissue), poor reproduction
efficiency, and/or changes in behavior. The
appearance of clinical signs of unhealthiness
depends on the type of disease, and requires
further investigation from the herdsman to
determine the cause and extent of the

7. It is also advisable to
consult a swine veterinarian
if a disease spreads in the
pig farm, especially when a
new or unusual disease
affects a large number of
animals, or when the
disease results to the death

8. WORD BANK
vaccine - a
substance often
injected into a
person or animal
for protection or
increased
immunity to a
specific disease

9. bacterin - a
suspension of
killed or
weakened
bacteria that
is used as a
vaccine

10.  biologics - biological
products (such as
antigen, serum, and
vaccine) that are
made from natural
sources
(microorganism,
animal, or human)
that are used to treat
diseases and
medical conditions.
Some biologics are

11. helminths
- parasitic
worms
such as
tapeworms
and

12. Suggested Health Program for
Growers and Fatteners
The success of swine
production does not only rely on
the presence of good stocks,
advance equipment and
facilities, and numerous
supplies of drugs, such as
vaccines, antibiotics, and
vitamins. A large part of a swine
farm's success depends on an

13. Nowadays, all swine farms
have an established herd
health program, all based on
the needs of the animals. A
herd health program is
composed of vaccination,
deworming, and feed
medication.

14.  Vaccination is the act of administering
vaccines to your animals-to protect them
from viral diseases. In a veterinary view,
viral diseases can be prevented through
vaccination. Deworming is the act of
giving anthelmintic drugs to the animals to
kill their internal parasites. Internal
parasites compete for nutrients, suck
blood, eat the tissues of the intestines,
and even cause the death of the animal.
Addition of medicines, such as antibiotics
and vitamins, to the animal feed is also
important because it boosts the immune

15. Overall, a swine herd health
program is created to ensure
that your animals are free
from parasites, protected
from diseases, and have
good health. Below is a
suggested health program for
growers and fatteners.

16. Suggested Health Program for
Gilts
Gilts, ages six to eight
months, should receive the
following herd health
program (see table) to
maximize their physical
condition. Gilts can be
marketed or can be used in
the future as breeder
animals.

17. Suggested Health Program for
Pregnant Sows
A health program for sows
should be carefully planned and
properly timed because you
should also consider the welfare
of their offspring. For example,
accidentally administering the
wrong medicine to a pregnant
sow could lead to an abortion;
hence, a loss to the farmer.

18. You should remember that the
health condition of the sow has
a direct effect to its offspring. A
healthy pregnancy also results
to healthy piglets. Problems on
parturition (giving birth) can also
be avoided if the sow is healthy.
Below is a health program for

19. Vaccination Guidelines
Read the guideline (from the International Training
Center on Pig Husbandry) below on how to properly
vaccinate swine.
 Do not vaccinate during a very hot or wet weather.
 Do not stress the animal during vaccination.
 Do not buy or use expired vaccines and those with
broken seals. Check expiration dates and read
instructions on how to administer the vaccine Check
the contents for any signs of damage such as
discoloration and moldy growth, among others.
 Store vaccines in the refrigerator or in a storage
with a cold temperature of 20 to 60°C. Transport the
vaccines in an ice chest or covered plastic or
styrofoam container packed with ice.

20.  In transporting vaccines, place them
in a plastic bag with cracked ice or
cubed ice.
 Prepare sterilized syringes and
needles in advance. Sterilize them by
boiling for at least 15 minutes. Do not
use chemical disinfectants.
 Clean and wipe dry the surface of the
rubber stopper of vaccine vials or
bottles with sterile absorbent cotton

21.  Use only approved diluents for vaccines. Preferably
use the one that comes with the vaccines. Avoid
more than one hour interval from mixing to actual
use of the vaccine.
 Dispose and burn vaccine containers and unused
portions unless it will be used within an hour from
time of reconstitution. In case of bacterins, unused
portions of big quantities may be stored for a few
days provided aseptic precautions have been
followed when withdrawing the amount used.
 Be ready against allergic reactions. Always have
available epinephrine preparation ready for use
within two to three minutes in case of anaphylactic
shock.
Source: "Basic Course on Pig Husbandry."

22. Vaccination is the act
of administering
vaccines to your
animals-to protect
them from viral
diseases.

23. TRIVIA!
It is recommended that
you should only vaccinate
healthy animals. Defer the
vaccination of sick animals
until they have fully
recovered.

24. Safety in Handling Biologics and
Veterinary Drugs
- Veterinary drugs and biologics may
present hazards to the animal health
care worker. Exposure to hazardous
drugs through skin absorption,
inhalation, and accidental injection or
ingestion may happen if there is
inadequate training and when necessary
precautions are not practiced.
- Below is a guideline on the safe
handling of biologics and veterinary
drugs:

25.  Administration and handling of veterinary
drugs and biologics, especially hazardous
ones, are done only by trained personnel
and with the supervision of the farm
veterinarian.
 Use proper personal protective equipment
(such as gloves, face mask, eye
protection, etc.) as needed in the specific
activity. Wear protective gears or
equipment during waste cleanups. If you
are using disposable personal protective
equipment, put them in a properly labeled

26.  Administer veterinary drugs using the
proper technique and dosage advised by
the drug manufacturer. Always wash your
hands after administering the drug.
 Refrain from eating, drinking, chewing
gum, applying cosmetics, or storing foods
and drinks in a drug preparation area.
 Double-bag all used vials, needles,
syringes, gloves, spill clean-up materials,
bodily fluids, and other kinds of waste.
Put them in properly labeled containers
and dispose properly (preferably by
burying).

27. Waste Disposal Program
 Farm management programs should include the
daily cleaning of the animals' pens. The daily
cleaning of pens is important because the
accumulation of dung in the pens can cause
diseases, especially respiratory and digestive
disorders. Farm laborers and caretakers can
also acquire diseases if animal wastes are not
disposed. Thus, pens should have a good
drainage system and sufficient water supply for
the easy removal of animal wastes and to
minimize the bad odor in the pens. More
importantly, a swine farm should have an

28.  Swine pens should have a proper
drainage system. You can connect
the drainage system to a biogas
lagoon or facility, which can be used
as a source of energy, to maximize
the use of your swine farm. You can
also construct a fish pond near your
swine farm. You can use the animal
waste from the pens to fertilize
algae, which serves as food for fish
and other aquatic organisms.

29.  Covered in-ground lagoon system
- This is a sealed system wherein
animal waste is digested
anaerobically by bacteria; this leads
to the creation of biogas that can be
used in powering a generator. Also,
the generator's heat can be used to
heat a farrowing house.
 Meanwhile, water from the digester
unit is transferred to a second
earthen unit; the treated water is
used to flush animal waste.

30.  Aerobic upflow fixed-media
biofiltration/solids
separation/solids coating - This
technology flushes liquid manure
using two biofilters that contains
plastic media. The plastic media
cultivates bacteria, which turns
harmful ammonia into nitrates and
nitrites; it also decreases the
concentration of odor-causing
compounds. This technology converts

31.  High temperature anaerobic digestion
and solids composting - This system
produces biogas and high-nutrient
compost. According to the North Carolina
State of Animal and Poultry Waste
Management Center, "in this system, the
manure is anaerobically digested in an
enclosed and heated tank. The resulting
biogas is used to produce electricity.
Partially digested solids are combined with
composted material, the resulting high-
nutrient compost can be used for
greenhouse crop production."

32. WORD BANK
biogas -a combination of
carbon dioxide and methane
produced by the bacterial
decomposition of organic matter
or waste; biogas is used as a
fuel
compost - a mixture of
decomposed organic matter that

33. Chapter Summary
 Often, the spread of disease in a pig farm
is caused by three factors in the
epidemiological triad: disease agent,
animal host, and environment.
 Vaccinate swines to increase their
immunity from diseases and protect their
health.
 Strictly follow the guideline on how to
administer vaccines to animals. There are
various health programs for growers and

34.  The types of diseases that can afflict a
swine can be divided into four groups:
bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic.
 Cleaning of pens daily is important because
accumulation of dung in the pen can lead to
diseases, especially respiratory and
digestive disorders.
 Properly constructed pens allow the easy
removal of manure and prevent wetting of
the fecal materials, thus minimizing odor,
microorganisms, and flies.
 Waste management technologies help
improve the disposal of waste in pig farms.