EARLY INFECTIONS WITH MYCOPLASMA?

Add to my reading list Remove from my reading list

Early infections with Mycoplasma?

Typical decline in maternal antibodies

 

Figure 1 Image

 

Mycoplasmal infections (i.e. M.hyo) in piglets occurs typically at an age of 6-8 weeks after passive (maternal) immunity wanes.

  • Early infections with M.hyo are a clear indication of a poor and unstable immunity in the sow herd leading to the production of poor quality colostrum

  • Bring M.hyo vaccination of piglets earlier to the first 10 days of life is not the solution

Sow herd stabilisation requires many measures carried out in close cooperation with the herd veterinarian. These include:

  • Optimisation of the pig flow in the herd
  • Vaccination of sows sation
  • If necessary, antibiotic treatment

Approximately 60 % of the vaccine-users vaccinate their piglets against M.hyo and Circovirus from the 14th day of life onwards (Source: P&M, 2013).

Vaccinate gently

Circovirus- and Mycoplasma-vaccines that can be combined by mixing immediately prior to use are very well received in the pig world (Source: P&M, 2013). Compared to the other vaccination-schemes, the number of injections and interventions drops from 3 (2 shot M.hyo + 1 shot Circo) to 1 (single shot combination-vaccine against M.hyo and Circo).

Benefits:

  • The adjuvantsdesigned for the use in combination-vaccines are well tolerated
  • The volume of a vaccine-dosage is appropriate for suckling pigs
  • Fewer injections – less risk of pathogen transfer between pigs
  • Less labour

 

Figure 2 Image

Promoting fewer injections in piglets is made possible by use of vaccines that can be mixed.