Causes of Coughing in Pigs and Steps to Take 3
Lungworms or Roundworms Cause Pig Coughing and Not Eating
Another cause of pigs coughing is a parasitic disease known as lung worms, or roundworm infection (Ascaris suum). This pig respiratory infection can result in pigs coughing and not eating, diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, and obvious lethargy. They also show symptoms like sneezing and the pig’s abdomen hangs toward the ground.
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Lungworm infestation occurs when a pig accidentally eats Ascarid eggs. The eggs spread through contact with infected pigs, feces, dust, and insects that carry the eggs, such as cockroaches and flies.
The biggest spreader of these parasites is contaminated feces in pigs’ living environment. The Ascarid eggs hatch in pigs’ intestines and pass through the bloodstream. The larvae will attach themselves to the liver and should reach the lungs within ten days of ingesting the eggs.
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The pig then coughs up the larvae and re-swallows the parasite. The cycle will continue until your pig has a severe roundworm infestation.
This parasite can survive in your pig’s body for six months; some have survived as long as a year. Commonly, pigs with roundworm makes its home in the small intestine and causes damage to the liver and the lungs. If your pig is severely infested with roundworms, it can cause lung damage, leading to death if left untreated.Make sure to wash your hands carefully after dealing with a roundworm-infected pig. This parasite is zoonotic (can be passed to humans) and can be spread through accidental ingestion of contaminated sand.
Did you know: An adult roundworm can lay up to 2 million eggs daily.
Causes of Roundworm
Roundworm infestation occurs when a pig accidentally eats Ascarid eggs. The eggs spread through contact with infected pigs, feces, dust, and insects that carry the eggs, such as cockroaches and flies.
The biggest spreader of these parasites is contaminated feces in pigs’ living environment. The Ascarid eggs hatch in pigs’ intestines and pass through the bloodstream. The larvae will attach themselves to the liver and should reach the lungs within ten days of ingesting the eggs.
The pig then coughs up the larvae and re-swallows the parasite. The cycle will continue until your pig has a severe roundworm infestationSymptoms of Roundworm
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Your pig will display the following symptoms if they have a roundworm infestation:
Coughing
Sneezing
Obvious lethargy
The abdomen hangs toward the ground
Doesn’t put on weight
Difficulty breathing
Diarrhea
Treating and Preventing Lungworm in Pigs
Ideally, you should watch out for pneumonia when your pig has a lungworm infestation. There are no antibiotics to treat pneumonia, which can lead to severe lung damage and death. Ivermectin (Ivomec) and Benzimidazoles are also effective treatments that paralyze and kill roundworm parasite.
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Deworm your herd regularly to prevent the spread or possibility of pigs having roundworms
Add Hygromycin to their feed. It is a anthelmintic additive that is usually added to the pig feed to prevent diseases like roundworms.
Keep your pig’s living environment clean. Ensuring the pig pen is cleaned all the time is a major help for pigs not to have roundworms.
Steam-clean the pig pen, as the Ascarid eggs are resistant to disinfectants.
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