Long acting Oxytetracycline for control of disease in piglets

Abstract

In order to test the effectiveness of periodic long acting oxytetracycline treatment for controlling neonatal diseases and improving production of pigs under commercial conditions, 80 sows and their litters were randomly assigned to two equal treatment groups at time of farrowing. They were maintained on non-medicated feed I week prior to and post farrowing. Each of 40 sows and their 407 piglets served as control group, received placebo (distilled water) 1 ml/10 kg b. wt. (IM) and 1 ml (SC) respectively, while each of the other 40 sows and their 407 piglets received long acting oxytetracyline at the same dosage (IM) and I ml (SC) respectively. Similar treatment was repeated only to piglets when they were 3, 12, and 21 days of age. They were weaned at 28 days. The piglets were weighed at 3, 28, and 56 days of age. Sows and piglets were individually observed for signs of disease daily and individual necropsy report was also recorded.

Results indicated the advantage in weight and average daily gain (ADG) significantly which measured at weaning and the end of trial in piglets treated with long acting oxytetracycline. In addition, the incidence of scours within 56 days post farrowing in treated group was significantly lower (P <0.05) than in the control group.

In conclusion, long acting oxytetracycline treatments were satisfactory both in terms of controlling neonatal diseases and improving production of pigs under commercial conditions.