Author name: Talitha van Niekerk

Taenia Solium (Pork Tapeworm) Zoonotic Taenia Solium, also known as pork tapeworm or armed tapeworm, is a common parasite that affects pigs, making them very sick. The adult tapeworms are found in the small bowel of a pig and can reach a length of 26.24 feet. These parasitic worms can produce up to 50,000 eggs. […]

Trichinellosis (Trichinella Spiralis) Zoonotic Another common parasitic disease in pigs is Trichinellosis caused by the parasite Trichinella Spiralis, found in warm-blooded animals worldwide. These parasites invade the skeletal muscles and muscle fibers around the pigs’ rib cage and their eyes. It can make pigs very ill. The disease is zoonotic and spreads to man when consuming

Roundworm Infection (Ascariasis – Ascaris Suum) Zoonotic Ascariasis (Roundworm infection) is a parasitic disease that occurs when a pig is infected with roundworm (Ascaris suum). This can cause hepatitis and pneumonia. A mature roundworm (ascarid) with a round body is about 0.78 inches long and can lay up to 2 million eggs daily. An adult

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Zoonotic) Foot and mouth disease (FMD) affects pigs of all ages and is a highly contagious infection. Pigs with FMD develop lesions, or sores, in the mucosa of their mouths. They may also develop fluid-filled blisters on their feet. Pigs will develop a fever, become lethargic, and may become lame or die. The

Porcine Rotavirus Infection (Zoonotic) Porcine rotavirus is a terrible infection for pigs and humans. It makes pigs very sick. It causes major viral gastroenteritis, or severe watery diarrhea, in suckling and recently weaned piglets (one to five weeks old). It causes frequent death, high levels of sickness, and is very contagious. This particular disease plays

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that results in abortions in pigs. The Brucella suis bacteria cause it and affects pigs of all ages. If your pigs display symptoms, you’ll need to alert the local authorities, as some strains of the disease are highly contagious and can be passed on to humans (zoonotic disease). If your

Pig dysentery, porcine rotavirus, or swine influenza are examples of infectious diseases that can be seen in pigs who aren’t eating and have diarrhea. Other factors that can contribute to a pig not eating and diarrhea include poor nutrition, a change in diet, and environmental stressors.  Pigs with infectious diseases may exhibit severe symptoms and

Diamond Skin Disease (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infection- Zoonotic) Pig Diamond skin disease, also known as swine erysipelas, is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Diamond Skin disease is a skin disease named after the diamond patches it leaves on the pigs’ skin. It causes fever, skin lesions, blood poisoning, arthritis, and sometimes, sudden

Leptospirosis: Reproductive Illness (Zoonotic)  Leptospirosis is a common bacterial disease that causes abortions, stillbirths, and reproductive issues in pigs. It is caused by spirochaetes (a group of spiral-shaped bacteria). Leptospirosis occurs mainly in adult pigs. Sadly within 1 to 4 weeks after infection with the bacteria, a pig can experience abortion or the birth of