Dead Sow, What could be the problem

[shawkins]

I have one boar and two sows AGH's. Yesterday one of the sows was not as excited about feed time as usual. I was concerned, but apparently not concerned enough, cause this morning she was dead. She had a small amount of blood coming from her mouth and nose and from her anus. I lost another boar last year with a similar situation. I assumed that he had eaten something that had cut his throat (He hand only bled from the mouth). Now I am concerned for my other two piggies. Any ideas what it could be? They have not been given any chemical meds or anti-biodics. maybe I have to rethink that. Help please.

 

[Beekissed]

Anthrax is a bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, which forms spores that survive for years in the environment. Cattle, sheep, and goats are at the highest risk of developing anthrax, but other farm animals, as well as wildlife and humans, can contract the disease. Most animals are infected by oral ingestion of soil contaminated with anthrax spores. People develop anthrax when the organism enters a wound in the skin, is inhaled in contaminated dust, or is eaten in undercooked meat from infected animals. Biting flies can transmit the bacterium, which results in redness and swelling at the bite site. The most common clinical sign in animals is sudden death. Blood may be seen oozing from the mouth, nose, and anus of animals that died of anthrax. A vaccine for livestock is available in areas where anthrax is a common livestock disease. Animals suspected of dying from anthrax should be examined by a veterinarian immediately. Animals that have died of anthrax should be burned or buried deeply and covered with lime. The area should be thoroughly decontaminated with lime, as anthrax spores can survive in the soil for decades. Anthrax is prevented by avoiding contact with animals that are suspected to have anthrax and areas that may contain bodies of animals that died from anthrax.

 

[jhm47]

Are there any blotches on the skin? Diamond shaped? If so, I'd guess Erysipelas. Do a google search for it.

 

[Bossroo]

This is NOT to be taken lightly ... It is not a get rid of the body by yourself and forget about it, but a PUBLIC HEALTH HAZZARD. Disposing of dead and/or affected animals due to anthrax falls under the jurisdiction of the State Veterinarians and Public Health officials . Call your Vet ASAP for a necropsy to confirm or eliminate a possibility of anthrax. Seisure and destruction of the other pigs as well as quarantine of your property as well as the surrounding properties ( as well as other livestock) is a very real possibility to avoid a serious anthrax outbreak.

 

[quiltnchik]

This is NOT to be taken lightly ... It is not a get rid of the body by yourself and forget about it, but a PUBLIC HEALTH HAZZARD. Disposing of dead and/or affected animals due to anthrax falls under the jurisdiction of the State Veterinarians and Public Health officials . Call your Vet ASAP for a necropsy to confirm or eliminate a possibility of anthrax. Seisure and destruction of the other pigs as well as quarantine of your property as well as the surrounding properties ( as well as other livestock) is a very real possibility to avoid a serious anthrax outbreak.

Are we sure it even IS Anthrax? I understand the concern, but scaring the OP to death is not going to help matters - just sayin'...

 

[Beekissed]

Nope, we aren't sure and we'll never know unless the OP responds to the thread again. Unfortunately, all the searches I did with the symptoms described came up with being consistent with the anthrax diagnosis. The other illness suggested has the following symptoms:

Swine Erysipelas:

The acute, subacute, and chronic forms of swine erysipelas may occur in sequence or separately. Pigs with the acute septicemic form may die suddenly without previous signs. This occurs most frequently in finishing pigs (100-200 lb [45-90 kg]). Acutely infected pigs are febrile (104-108F [40-42C]), walk stiffly on their toes, lie on their sternums separately rather than piling in groups, and are reluctant to move. They squeal plaintively when handled and may shift weight from foot to foot when standing. Anorexia and thirst are common. Skin discoloration may vary from widespread erythema and purplish discoloration of the ears, snout, and abdomen, to diamond-shaped skin lesions almost anywhere on the body, but particularly the lateral and dorsal parts. The lesions may occur as pink or light-purple areas of varying size that become raised and firm to the touch within 2-3 days of illness. They may disappear or progress to a more chronic type of lesion such as diamond-skin disease. If untreated, necrosis and separation of large areas of skin can occur, but more commonly, the tips of the ears and tail may become necrotic and slough.

 

[quiltnchik]

Well it appears the OP was scared off, so we'll never know the outcome...

 

[Beekissed]

I doubt they were scared off by our suggestion of diagnosis, just maybe not wanting to admit the truth that they maybe have anthrax on their premises. Considering the extreme measures that come along with a diagnosis of such a disease~quarantine of premises, measures to prevent transmission to other farms and animals, etc.~I'm sure many people would just SSS at that point.

The only way we'll ever know the OPs conclusions on the death of this animal is if they return with an update of results of a necropsy. Sure would be nice if they did, even if it is anthrax, because many others could learn about this disease, what to do to prevent the spread of it, etc.

All information has value and hopefully we can all learn from each other.

 

[shawkins]

sorry for the non response. not scared off, just haven't been on the site since last post. So now the pig has been buried what should my next move be? Vet, exhumption and testing? I don't want to exhume a carcass that may or may not have anthrax.

 

[Beekissed]

I'd contact your local vet and explain, ask what is the best course of action. You may have to have the soils tested and the other animals tested/treated/vaccinated. Probably not a good idea to just let sleeping hogs lie, so to speak.