Pig producers are being encouraged to reach out to their vets to perform free diagnostics if they are concerned about post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) on farm.
Elanco strategic account manager, Gillian Bryson explains that Elanco is funding veterinary testing for the F4 and F18 strains of E.coli which have shown to be present on 78% of farms and are a common causes of PWD.
Historically, zinc oxide has kept PWD at bay, but since its ban, Ms Bryson stresses the importance of understanding the root of the problem, as the use of zinc has masked a multitude of potential issues.
Producers can access fully funded diagnostic tests, such as rainbow kits and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, free of charge through their vet.
“Rainbow test kits give an instant result and will confirm whether the herd is suffering from E. coli,” she explains.
“PCR tests don’t provide immediate results, but offer more detail, including identifying whether F4 and F18 strains are present on farm, even if E. coli is not directly affecting the herd.
“This is important because once these strains of E.coli are present, it is near on impossible to get rid of them, so preventative measures must be implemented to protect herds.”
Ms Bryson recommends producers work closely with their vets to put together a robust health management programme including the use of a vaccine to ensure effective protection against the most common strains of E. coli.
“Coliprotec™ is the only vaccine on the market to offer herds effective protection against F4 and F18 strains of E.coli. Piglets can be vaccinated from 18 days of age with onset of full immunity after seven days, providing early protection against the disease,” she says.
Piglets vaccinated with Coliprotec™ have shown increases in appetite resulting in slaughter weight gains of up to 2kg1, while also reaching market weights seven days earlier2.
“If you have any concerns about PWD or E. coli, get in contact with your local vet to discuss how diagnostics can support the overall health of your herd,” she concludes.
Request your free diagnostic testing here.
References
1 Purina Mills Purina Mills EACH PRODUCTION PHASE IMPACTS THE NEXT 2015 (v1.0)
2 Vangroenweghe F et al 10th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management 2018 254 (v1.0)
ABOUT ELANCO
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for producers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose™ CSR framework – all to advance the health of animals, people and the planet. Learn more at www.elanco.com.
PM-UK-24-0075. Date of preparation: January 2024
Coliprotec F4/F18 is an oral vaccine used for active immunization of pigs from 18 days of age against enterotoxigenic F4-positive and F18-positive Escherichia coli in order to reduce the incidence of moderate to severe post-weaning diarrhoea infected pigs and reduce the faecal shedding of enterotoxigenic F4- positive and F18-positive E. colifrom infected pigs. Each dose of vaccine contains 1.3 x 108 to 9.0 x 108 CFU of live non-pathogenic Escherichia coli O8:K87 (F4ac) and 2.8 x 108 to 3.0 x 109 CFU of live non-pathogenic Escherichia coli O141:K94 (F18ac). Refer to the product packaging and leaflets for information about side effects, precautions, warnings and contraindications. Legal category POM-V. Advice should be sought from the Medicine Prescriber.
For further information consult the product SPC. Elanco UK AH Limited, Form 2, Bartley Way, Bartley Wood Business Park, Hook RG27 9XA. Telephone: 01256 353131 Email: elancouk@elanco.com Coliprotec, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. ©2024 Elanco or its affiliates. Use medicines responsibly www.noah.co.uk/responsible.