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Scours are responsible for economic losses in pig. Average mortality by digestive problems during pre-weaning period is around 13% (Reference of Swine Health, Productivity, and General Management in the United States, 2006) but diarrhea is associated also with other negative consequences, as we discussed in this blog before (link).
The most common causes of diarrhea vary depending on the age of the piglet, as shown in the table below:
Main causes of diarrhea according to piglet’s age
Source: Swine Disease Manual, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University
Before the piglet is born, the digestive system is sterile. From the very moment of birth, microbial colonization begins and culminates a few days later, when the amount of microorganisms reaches 10E3-10E14/gram, depending on the region of the digestive system.
During the colonization period, gut flora is not stable and therefore if a sufficient amount of pathogenic microorganisms arrive to the digestive system, the beneficial flora cannot withstand the infection and the digestive disease begins.
After 7-10 days, intestinal flora achieves a balance which consists in more than 90% of beneficial species (Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium) and less than 10% of potentially pathogenic microorganisms (Clostridium sp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., etc). This balance can be disrupted due to:
In recent years, the use of phyto-active ingredients in suckling piglets has demonstrated to be able to:
Plants such as cinnamon and marjoram possess direct microbiocide action and avoid the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the gut, during the colonization stage and during stress disruptors.
Phyto-active ingredients show some clear advantages over antibiotics: its spectrum of action is wider; they do not kill the beneficial bacteria in intestines; they have no side effects.
Some plants rich in oligosaccharides, such as chicory, are able to stimulate the growth of favorable bacteria. This is associated with an improvement of digestive and immune functions.
Cinnamon is able to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, leading to a better feed use and a significant increase in growth. This is especially useful in suckling pigs that are eating creep feed, because their digestive system is immature and they do not secrete enough enzymes.
Phyto-active ingredients stimulate the immune system through different mechanisms, making the animals are more resistant to diseases. Prebiotic compounds, such as oligosaccharides from chicory, enhance local digestive immunity. Other plants, such as cinnanmon, are able to stimulate protective innate immunity.
Real experiences in commercial farms with healthy piglets show that the administration of phyto-active ingredients from day one:
During outbreaks of bacterial or viral diarrhea, phyto-active ingredients are useful to recover the healthy balance of gut flora,
Improvement of appearance of feces and in the productive parameters can be seen after only three days receiving phyto-ingredients.
ActiPlus© is a liquid emulsion that contains:
It is intended for young mammals such as piglets, calves, lambs and kids during the lactation period, and is administered directly into the mouth of the animal.