Ear necrosis syndrome in weaning pigs

Tail Biting and other Vices Causal agent: None specifically Age group: The demonstration of vices can occur in all age groups Clinical signs: Facial necrosis Tail biting - grow/finishing pig, rarely in adults Flank biting – grow/finish Vulva biting - adult females when loosed housed Ear sucking/ear biting – in nursery pigs Penile sucking – newly weaned pigs Bar biting and other stereotypy’s Tail biting Flank biting Vulva biting Ear biting Ear sucking Penile sucking Causes: Stressed and deprived pigs Check the following: Check stocking density. Check tail length, in particular variability. Check feed particle size (target> 500 µm). Check salt (NaCl) concentration in feed. Check water supplies. Check for evidence of a draught at pig heights (draught air speed > 0.2 m/sec). Check air quality (target - NH3 < 20 ppm H2S < 10 ppm and CO2 < 3000 ppm). Check humidity (target between 50 and 75%. Check light intensity. Check water supplies. Check feeder space availability. Check 24 hour temperature fluctuations. Mixing pigs. Moving pigs. Facial necrosis is associated with lactation failure. Treatment: Find offending pig – this may be difficult Look for the gaunt smaller middle order pig, often with chronic mild diarrhea Remove affected pigs to a hospital pen Treat with sprays/wound dressings Consider euthanasia if pig severely affected, lame or has other abscesses Control: Increase salt (NaCl) concentration to 0.9% - ensure the water supply is excellent Review environmental factors: Air: in particular draughts – 90% association with tail biting Gasses – in particular NH3, CO2, CO Weather changes – high pressure Inappropriate/variable temperatures Check lying and defecation patterns of the pigs Water: Fighting over inadequate water Urine concentrated in sows makes vulva biting more likely Water trough placement in sows Feed: Check for mycotoxins Fighting over feed availability Floor: Check stocking density – both under and overstocking Inadequate sleeping area Stock: Some genetics may be more aggressive in some environments Provide distractions through toys – chains for example Improve pig flow – remove under and over stocking Check tail docking principles – pigs do not like variable pig tail lengths Chains can provide great distraction for pigs Tires should be avoided as they contain metal parts and may block parts of the pen Facial necrosis: Enhance lactation output – three major areas to examine: Overfeeding in gestation, poor water intake in lactation and too high a farrowing house room temperature. Post-mortem findings: Injury to the skin. Sequelae to vices include – pulmonary millary abscesses, vegetative endocarditis, bacteriaemia, spinal abscessation and single or multiple discrete abscesses throughout the body Areas of Vice Tail biting Flank biting Ear biting Vulva biting Penile or naval sucking Ear sucking Facial necrosis

Even if the role of PCV2 in the development of weaner ear necrosis is debatable, PCV2 vaccination of sows seems to help controlling (at least in some situations) André Broes, D.V.M., Ph.D. Canada Ear necrosis reduction in pigs after vaccination against PCV2 Z. Pejsaka, I. Markowska-Daniela, M. Pomorska-Móla, M. Porowskib and R. Kolaczc Abstract The influence of sows vaccination against PCV2 on the prevalence of ear necrosis syndrome (ENS) reduction among weaners was analyzed using 12,931 piglets from 45 consecutive batches, born to both, vaccinated and non-vaccinated sows. The results were statistically tested with a nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis and Chi-square tests. The results show that vaccination against PCV2 significantly reduced the prevalence of ENS (p < 0.05). The percentage of affected pigs born to vaccinated sows was about over two times lower than in both groups of pigs born to non-vaccinated females (before the vaccination implementation and after its withdrawing). Even more distinct were the differences in the intensity of the lesions (p < 0.05). In the group of pigs born to vaccinated sows, the percentage of severe lesions was three times lower than in the pigs born to non-vaccinated sows. In conclusion, it could statement that vaccination against PCV2 might be effective in reduction of ENS.

Dr. Broes, It would make sense that if the virus is reduced, the secondary opportunistic bacterial invaders such as salmonella will also be reduced. I don't believe that the pcv is the reason for ear necrosis. Erik, Have amino acid and mineral levels been reviewed? As deficiencies in several of theses have been associated with tail and ear biting. allowing injury access points for pathogens which may cause the necrosis. What kind of waterers are being used? bowl or nipple?

Dear Erik or Dan (???), You have certainly noted my WARNING as introduction : " Even if the ROLE OF PCV2 in the development of weaner ear necrosis is DEBATABLE, PCV2 vaccination of sows SEEMS TO HELP controlling (at least in SOME situations) Further readings: http://www.nadis.org.uk/BPEX%20Bulletins/09-03%20Ear%20Tip%20Necrosis.pdf http://docsdrive.com/pdfs/medwelljournals/javaa/2011/185-187.pdf http://www.isah-soc.org/documents/2005/sections/77_vol_1.pdf André Broes

Dr. Broes, Thank you for the references. Dan

Mr. Broes, thank you for the references. In this particular case sows are not vaccinated against PCV2. The weaned piglets on the other hand, are vaccinated against PCV2 at the time of weaning. That is at the age of 3 weeks (18 - 21 days of age). Regarding climate control, I think conditions are quite optimal (no draughts, no high gas concentrations, temperature is good). The piglets stay in a 1st stage nursery room for 3,5 weeks. After 3,5 weeks stocking density is not really a problem either. They stay for 10 weeks in a second stage nursery (wean / grower room). The problems with Ear Tip Necrosis begin approximately 14 days after entering the second stage room. It is in the first stage that they receive a good balanced diet with in-feed antibiotics (amoxicillin, colistin, tylosin). No problems during that time. In second stage they receive feed without in-feed antibiotics. To Mr. Mcdermott, at the time problems arise they receive a crumled pellet in a wet/dry feeder with 2 drinking nipples in the feed through. Water flow rate has been checked and is within recommended ranges. Could it be possible that endotoxins (from the killed bacteria in the animal because of the in-feed antibiotica) are that high in amount that they cause necrosis in the small blood vessels, in other words the ear tips of the piglet?

One comment here was tha the inclusion of soya hulls in the diet at 0.7% ie 70kg/tonne helped reduce the problem greatlyin Ireland.

Ear necrosis has got a lot to do with blood flow, and if that fails the a ears begin to disappear like gangreen. How s to stop. I have a sow that has this for some time, and the ears don´t regrow. Best to sell. Had the vet in for a look and this is what he tells me.

Necrosis results as an obstruction to small blood vessels, so blood to these vessels does not circulate. Why does necrosis happen then? One explanation is because of the immune response of the animal to intruder organisms, bacteria, viruses etc forming big immunocomplexes that is, complexes of antibodies with these organisms which some times are very big so they occlude blood vessels, especially antibodies of type M (IgM) which form huge complexes especially at the first 3-4 days of invasion-start of disease. This is a suggestion of ear tip necrosis and probably there could be another explanation. John Melissaris, Pig farmer, Biologist, Greece

Dear members,

This has been a very interesting discussion so far! Find more info about Ear necrosis syndrome, clicking on this link:

Ear necrosis syndrome in weaning pigs associated with PCV2 infection: A case report 

Hope this helps!

Dear Eric, im very sure your right with the endotoxin-theory. I´m "hunting" the problem over 3 years consulting farmers. There are not so much helpful researches, because the vet studies didn´t regard the housing/feedings systems and in some times ear necrosis are mixed up with ear biting. Please if you still want some help - let me know your housing system (plastik or metall floor, drinking system, food supply) and the feeding and water ingerdients. mirjam.lechner@web.de In germany we are about to get the "long" tail - if you have ear necrosis - you will find tail necrosis IF you let the long tail stay (because the blood flow disturbance starts at the end of a intact tail). There are some good and helpflull measures to get down the endotoxin pressure in the enviroment when you improve the drinking supply (clean open water), the food supply and food ingerdients (keep a close eye to XP, MJ (wheat, maize!) and the Fibre (like it was meantioned bevore). with warm regards from frankonia in germany Mirjam