SHIC/AASV Webinar Addresses Coccidiosis Management Following Rise in Diagnoses

In the Swine Health Information Center’s (SHIC’s) August 2020 Domestic Swine Disease Monitoring Report, there was a significant increase (signal) in diagnoses of coccidiosis observed from June 27 to July 11, per submissions to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. This unexpected increase in activity prompted development of a webinar for pork producers, practitioners, academicians, and other stakeholders on coccidiosis management, sponsored by SHIC and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.

In summarizing the presentations at the conclusion of the webinar, Locke Karriker, DVM, Iowa State University Swine Medicine Education Center director, said coccidiosis management requires remembering it’s a protozoa, not a virus, causing the issues seen in farrowing rooms. Limited prevention tools and treatment options hamper effective management. Morbidity, including lower weights of affected piglets, is the primary issue resulting from coccidiosis. He also noted there are several species of oocysts with each responding differently to treatment and prevention protocols implemented.

Held on Thursday, September 3, 2020, the webinar was conducted by the Iowa State University Swine Medicine Education Center. Presenters were Jeremy Pittman, DVM, Smithfield North Region, Amber Strickler, DVM, Suidae Health & Production, Kent Schwartz, DVM, MS, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, and Robert Friendship, DVM, University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College.

Visit the National Hog Farmer to read a summary of the webinar written by Ann Hess, beginning, “Jeremy Pittman says it’s been a “nagging” cause of scours his entire career in swine medicine. Historically, it’s an indicator of poor management, but Amber Stricker says the last five years she has been seeing it more commonly in well-managed commercial farms.

“It is coccidiosis, and while it is often placed lower on the list of swine enteric diseases, and diseases in general, both veterinarians say they have seen the coccidia parasites play a major role in increasing morbidity and poor weight gain in suckling pigs, nurseries and wean-to-finish.”

As the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic, SHIC continues to focus efforts on prevention, preparedness, and response to novel and emerging swine disease for the benefit of US swine health. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. SHIC is funded by America’s pork producers to fulfill its mission to protect and enhance the health of the US swine herd. For more information, visit https://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Sundberg at [email protected].