Veterinary Pharmaceutical Solutions (VPS), a sponsor and exhibitor of the 2024 Leman Swine Conference, is excited to present and discuss two new avenues of research on September 21-24 at the St. Paul RiverCentre.

VPS is committed to helping veterinarians and livestock producers through the development of new and effective pharmaceutical solutions. Recently, the VPS team identified insights in:

  1. Streptococcus suis challenges with nursey pigs
  2. New sow wound care treatments

Read the abstracts below and stop by our Leman Swine Conference Tech Table to discuss further or reach out to a VPS representative to learn more.

 

Clinical and production response from pigs with different oral beta lactam protocols in response to a Streptococcus suis challenge  

Introduction

Streptococcus suis (Ss) is a leading diagnosis at US diagnostic laboratories.1 Practitioners continue to prescribe individual (injectable) and population (oral) treatments. Antibiotic choices through AMDUCA decision-making guidance and drug dosage levels have impacts on success of therapy. This study objective was to provide clinical sign and production data comparisons between oral extra-label penicillin and compounded amoxicillin at various rates.

Methods

PRRSV and PED-negative barrows (n=120) were weaned (day -8) into a BSL-2 facility and allocated into 6 treatment groups by weight. Pigs were housed by treatment (4 pens of 5 pigs) with pen-specific feeders and drinkers. Treatment groups (T) included: Challenged Control(T1), Amox37.5(T2), Amox60(T3), Amox120(T4), Penicillin(T5) and Negative Controls(T6). Pigs acclimated for 7 days before treatments were started (d-1) and then challenged (d0). T1-5 were challenged with Ss-type 1 (2ml intramuscular, 2ml intraperitoneal) while T6 was not challenged. T2-5 received their daily-prepared, seven-day oral medications on d-1-6. T2-4 treatments were prepared as 1:128 dilutions of 37.5, 60 and 120 grams VPS Amoxicillin Red/gallon of stock solution, respectively. T5 treatment was a 1:128 dilution of 1.0 BU Penicillin G Potassium/5 gallons of stock solution. Individual pig clinical sign severities (0-4) were recorded (days 0-10, 13, 15, 21, 23, 28, 31, 38, 42). Mortalities were necropsied and recorded. Individual pigs were weighed on days -8, 0, 10, 21, 42. No individual treatments were administered. Euthanasia was performed for welfare reasons following IACUC protocol.

Results

Confirmation of challenge was via clinical signs, necropsy findings and lab submissions (n=28 dead/euthanized pigs across treatment groups). Ss isolates’ genomic analysis of the capsular regions and 16s were 99.9-100% identical to the challenge isolate. These isolates were penicillin and ampicillin sensitive. Percentages of pigs with clinical signs 1-3 were statistically lowest in T4 (0%) and T6 (0%), highest in T5 (85%). The other groups were intermediate, T3 (25%), T2 (40%) and T1 (60%). Similar trends for severe (2-3) clinical signs were recorded for T2 (20%), T3 (25%), T1 (45%) and T5 (80%). Pen-level mortality was statistically highest in T1 (90%), lowest in T6 (0%), T4 (5%) and T2 (15%) with T3 (30%) and T5 (65%) being intermediate. Of the survivors on d42, only T1 and T5 had pigs with clinical signs. T1, T3-4 and T6 survivors had no clinical signs throughout the study. T2-T6 had statistically higher ADG compared to T0. Numerically, T2-4 and T6 had >0.5lb/day higher ADG over T5.

Conclusion

Penicillin treated pigs performed similarly to challenged/non-treated pigs. All amoxicillin-treated groups outperformed the penicillin group. The highest amoxicillin dosing had similar performance to non-challenged pigs. Ss cases requiring retreatments and chronic pigs are not uncommon in the field. Though amoxicillin is a time-dependent antibiotic, low dosages may be based on historic limitations of solubility for those formulations and may not achieve desired clinical outcomes.2 This study provides evidence that a higher dose had a better outcome. Success with elevated dosing in younger populations may allow for overall reduction in antibiotic use and cost over the pig’s lifespan, supporting responsible use.

 

Objective comparative measurement of sow decubital shoulder sore response to common and novel treatments.  

Introduction

Shoulder sores in sows impact welfare and production. These wounds erupt during early lactation as sows spend longer intervals in lateral recumbency. This leads to compression of blood vessels, necrosis, and subsequent ulceration over the spine of the scapula.3-4 A previous study indicated an efficacy difference between different topical shoulder sore treaments.5 This study adds to this body of work by evaluating three topical treatments and their impact on reducing shoulder sore severity.

Methods

Sows (n=185 from four Midwest farms) from day -3 to 14 of lactation were enrolled if they exhibited a shoulder sore (SS) that involved broken skin over the scapular spine. Shoulder sores were categorized as either 0-2.5cm or 2.5-5.0cm in diameter. Sows in each category were placed in blocks of four treatment groups: 1] Control (no treatment), 2] 2% iodine with lidocaine (Barrier II™, Aurora, Northfield MN), 3] compounded dual-antibiotic ointment (Mendicin™, VPS, St. Peter MN), and 4] non-antibiotic spray (Healicin™ ABF, VPS). The topical treatments were applied for 5 consecutive days, taking care to fully cover the wound. Digital pictures of the shoulder sores with a ruler were captured on days 0, 7 and 14. The direct surface area of the sores were calculated utilizing an irregular area calculator app (SketchAndCalc®) and the percentage change over time of individual sores and treatment groups were calculated.

Results

Controls’ mean wound surface area (SA) increased in size (+2.84cm4, 65% increase) over 14 days. Barrier II treated wounds also increased in size (+1.96cm4, 43% increase). The Mendicin and Healicin treated wounds decreased surface area over 14 days, (-1.45cm4, -20% decrease and -0.90cm4, -17% decrease, respectively). The percentage of sows whose wounds reduced SA over 14 days was lowest in Barrier II (39%) and highest in Healicin (76%) groups, with Controls and Mendicin sows at, 52 and 69%, respectively.

Conclusion

Only Mendicin and Healicin treatment groups’ mean wound size improved by day 14. The average wound size for both the control and the Barrier II groups increased. These same trends were noted for days 0-7. Continuation of Mendicin and Healicin beyond five days may have allowed for the remaining 24-31% of the wounds to improve. This is the second reported controlled study in which an antibiotic ointment supported healing and the iodine-based spray increased wound sizes over time; therefore, the iodine-based treatment would not be recommended by the authors. All three products employ colorant visual aids when applied to the skin to identify treated wounds. This study helps determine the proper products for treating shoulder sores to promote better welfare and production.

 

Will you be attending the Leman Swine Conference? Stop by our Tech Table to discuss further or reach out to a  VPS representative to learn more.

 

References

  1. Swine Health Information Center, Swine Disease Reporting System Report # 76. Accessed June 08, 2024. https://www.swinehealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SDRS-report-76B.pdf.
  1. Hawkins P, et al. Amoxicillin – Let’s get the dose right! Proc AASV. 2009; 223-30
  1. Rioja-Lang, F.C. MSc,PhD et al. 2017. Sholder lesions in sows: a review of their causes, prevention, and treatment. J Swine Health Prod. 2018; 26-(2): 101-107.
  2. Herskins, M.S. et al. 2011.  Decubital shoulder ulcers in sows: a review of classification, pain and welfare consequences.  Animal 5 (5): 757-766.
  3. Renner, E. et al.  2015.  Comparison of sow decubital shoulder ulcer treatments.  AASV 2015: 95-99.

 

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