K88 and F18 are the leading causes of postweaning diarrhea.
Postweaning diarrhea is a syndrome that has numerous causes
affecting pigs 3-7 days after weaning. Rotavirus, salmonella and
coccidiosis cause diarrhea in newly weaned pigs, but the major
causes of E. coli are K88 and F18 strains. Case Study No. 1 A
2,400-sow herd has three-site production with twice-a-week
weaning of pigs at 17-21 days of age. Each nursery room receives
two weanings or 1 week’s worth of pigs. Each nursery/grower site
has a four-room building that receives four week’s worth of
pigs. The three sites are separated by several miles; each site
has its own water and washing equipment, but the same staff
takes care of all the pigs. Site A experienced severe diarrhea
in weaned pigs. All four rooms were affected at 5-10 days after
arrival. The owner had tried several different water medications
with very poor results. Pigs were dying very soon after showing
clinical diarrhea and most of the group was affected within a
few days. The site, pro