by Karoline Inong

Created on: May 03, 2009

Swine pox is a vesicular disease caused by the swine pox virus, a large DNA virus of the swine pox group and in the past by vaccinia virus. These viruses can survive outside of the pig's body for long periods of time and is also resistant to the environmental changes. The virus enters locally by skin abrasions and multiplies there or can attack the skin after viremia. Viremia is a medical condition in where the viruses enter the bloodstream and then basically have access to the rest of the body. The incubation period for swine pox is 4-5 days from the initial infection to the development of pustules which last 10-14 days.

Symptoms:

The symptoms for swine pox is basically the same in all the pigs. Typically what you see in pigs that have the swine pox virus is small circular red areas about 10-20 mm in diameter that initially begin with a vesicle containing a straw-colored fluid in the center. After about two to three days the vesicle will rupture and a scab will be formed which gradually turns black.

The are also lesions that may be seen on any part of the pig's body but are more commonly found along the flanks, abdomens and occasionally the ears. A slight fever up to 104F and the lack of an appetite may also accompany the lesions. Sometimes a secondary dermatitis may occur in the pigs. In young piglets, the bursting of the vesicular on the face of the piglet may lead to wetting, scab formation and conjunctivitis. Affected pigs also may appear hairy and their growth may be depressed.

Piglets that are either in the suckling period or those that have recently been weaned may be affected. Mortality for this disease is also rare although transplacental infection in newborn pigs can result in death.

Causes:

There really is only three causes for swine pox which are either it can be spread by lice or mange mites, skin abrasions, or simply fighting and mixing of pigs.

Treatment:

Treatment for this disease is rarely used because it's usually mild but you can use insecticide to eliminate lice and flies which transmit the disease on the farm. You can also do a thorough job of cleaning and disinfecting pens in which outbreaks of the disease have occurred to help reduce the incidence. Cleaning and disinfecting the pens is one of the most important thing to do because the virus can continue in a farm for years between the outbreaks in the dust and dried secretions in the unused pens and fittings.

The residual virus can then infect progeny of newly purchased pigs and weaned pigs from non-immune farms when mixed with the carriers or place in infected pens that haven't been cleaned or disinfected. There are vaccines available but they have only been produced experimentally and do not protect completely.

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