Top Pig Diseases Every Farmer Must Know to Keep Herds Healthy

Ever walked into your barn at dawn, expecting happy grunts, only to find a pig looking off—maybe coughing or not eating—and wondered, What’s wrong with my herd? That sinking feeling hit me hard a few years back when a mystery bug slowed my weaners’ growth and cost me weeks of worry. I’m a small-scale hog farmer with about 50 pigs in my Midwest barn, and I’ve learned the hard way that knowing your enemy—pig diseases—is half the battle.

Just like poultry care, keeping pigs healthy is all about staying one step ahead. So, grab a coffee, and let’s chat about the top 10 pig diseases you need to know to keep your herd thriving. I’ll walk you through what to spot, how to treat, and—most importantly—how to prevent them, with tips I’ve picked up from my own barn mishaps. Ready to save your pigs and your sanity? Let’s dive in!

Why Pig diseases Is Your Farm’s Superpower

Healthy pigs mean more piglets, faster growth, and fewer vet bills piling up on your kitchen table. Diseases, though? They’re like a flat tire on your tractor—slowing everything down and costing you big. My first year raising pigs, I ignored a slight limp in a gilt, thinking she’d just tweaked something. Turned out, it was the start of a bigger problem that could’ve been prevented. Like poultry care, pig farming thrives on prevention: clean barns, good feed, and a sharp eye can stop most troubles before they start. Let’s break down the top diseases that can hit your herd and how to keep them at bay.

1. African Swine Fever (ASF): The Herd-Wrecker

Ever wonder what could wipe out your entire herd in days? African Swine Fever is that nightmare. It’s a highly contagious virus with no vaccine, spreading through blood, manure, or even ticks. Wild boars are a big culprit. I’ve been lucky to avoid it, but stories from farms overseas—where whole barns were lost—keep me up at night.

Signs to Watch For: High fevers (106°F or higher), pigs huddling together, refusing food, bloody diarrhea, and sudden deaths. You might notice red or purple blotches on their skin, especially on ears or bellies.

Treatment: There’s no cure, which is the tough part. Early cases might get fluids or supportive care, but most pigs don’t survive. Call your vet immediately to confirm and contain it.

Prevention: Biosecurity is your best friend, just like in poultry care. Fence out wild pigs, disinfect boots, tools, and trucks, and quarantine new pigs for at least 30 days. I only buy from trusted, disease-free suppliers now, and I never feed uncooked scraps.

2. Classical Swine Fever (CSF): The Sneaky Cousin

What if a disease could tank your breeding program without you noticing until it’s too late? Classical Swine Fever, or hog cholera, is that sneaky virus. It’s rare in the U.S. but still pops up globally, hitting reproduction hard and causing internal bleeding.

Signs to Watch For: Fever, wobbly gait, red or blue skin (especially on ears or snouts), constipation turning to bloody stools, and abortions in sows. Piglets might be born weak or stillborn.

Treatment: No specific cure—focus on supportive care like fluids and antibiotics for secondary infections. It’s brutal, with high mortality in young pigs.

Prevention: Where allowed, vaccinate (not in the U.S. due to eradication). Quarantine new pigs and practice all-in/all-out barn management, like I do to keep my pens clean.

3. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS): The Silent Saboteur

Ever had a pig cough and thought, Just a cold? That’s what I thought when PRRS hit my herd last winter, slowing growth by 20%. This virus spreads through air, semen, or manure, weakening pigs’ immune systems and opening the door to other bugs.

Signs to Watch For: Coughing, fever, labored breathing, diarrhea in piglets, and late-term abortions in sows. Adults might just seem “off” with rough coats or blue ears.

Treatment: No direct cure—use antibiotics for secondary infections like pneumonia and ensure good ventilation. My vet helped me manage an outbreak with quick action.

Prevention: Test new pigs, use air filtration in barns, and vaccinate based on your vet’s advice. I started segregated early weaning, and it’s cut my PRRS risks big time.

4. Swine Dysentery: The Bloody Gut Blaster

Ever seen a pig’s stool turn from normal to a bloody mess? Swine dysentery, caused by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae bacteria, hits the large intestine hard. I had a scare with this one, and it taught me to act fast.

Signs to Watch For: Gray, mucousy stools turning bloody, weight loss, and dehydration. It hits growers and finishers hardest, sometimes sparing piglets.

Treatment: Antibiotics like tiamulin or carbadox in feed or water—start early! I saved my barn by medicating fast after spotting the first signs.

Prevention: Quarantine new pigs for 30–60 days, treat high-risk ones proactively, and clean pens thoroughly. All-in/all-out systems, like in poultry care, work wonders.

5. Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2): The Wasting Woe

Ever wonder why some piglets just stop growing, no matter how much they eat? PCV2 causes porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD), leading to wasting, diarrhea, and respiratory issues. My weaners looked scrawny despite full troughs during an outbreak.

Signs to Watch For: Stunted growth, enlarged lymph nodes, jaundice (yellow skin), and sudden deaths in weaners. It often teams up with other infections.

Treatment: No antiviral—focus on vaccines and antibiotics for co-infections. Supportive care like fluids helps.

Prevention: Vaccinate sows before farrowing, like I do yearly. Reduce stress from overcrowding and keep barns clean, just like poultry care basics.

6. Erysipelas: The Diamondback Danger

What’s red, diamondទ

System: diamond-shaped, and deadly? Erysipelas, caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, is a bacterial disease that can cause skin lesions, arthritis, and heart issues in pigs. It’s also zoonotic, so gloves are a must! I had a gilt with those telltale diamond marks once, and it was a wake-up call.

Signs to Watch For: Diamond-shaped red or purple skin lesions, fever, lameness, and sudden deaths from heart failure. Sows may develop endocarditis.

Treatment: Penicillin injections work well if caught early. I saved a few pigs by acting fast with vet-prescribed shots.

Prevention: Vaccinate adults annually, keep water clean, and rotate pastures to dry out soil. Cleanliness is key, just like in poultry care.

7. Mycoplasma Arthritis: The Joint Jangler

Ever seen a pig limping and wincing? Mycoplasma bacteria (M. hyosynoviae or M. hyorhinis) cause painful joint infections, often after stress like weaning.

Signs to Watch For: Swollen joints, lameness, fever, and reluctance to move. Pigs might yelp when touched.

Treatment: Antibiotics like tiamulin and anti-inflammatories help, along with rest. I isolate affected pigs to reduce stress.

Prevention: Minimize stress with gradual weaning and keep creep feeders clean. Vaccines may help, per your vet’s advice.

8. Coccidiosis: The Piglet Plague

What’s worse than a litter of sick piglets? Coccidiosis, a protozoan parasite, causes diarrhea and dehydration in sucklings, especially in warm, humid conditions.

Signs to Watch For: Watery or bloody diarrhea in 10–21-day-old piglets, dehydration, and pot-bellied looks.

Treatment: Coccidiostats like toltrazuril in water, plus fluids. Isolate sick litters fast.

Prevention: Feed sows anticoccidials pre-farrowing and keep farrowing pens dry. I add electrolytes to water during outbreaks.

9. Salmonellosis: The Gut Bug

Salmonella bacteria, like Salmonella typhimurium, cause gut inflammation and sepsis, often from contaminated feed or rodents.

Signs to Watch For: Fever, yellow or bloody diarrhea, pneumonia-like symptoms, and high piglet mortality.

Treatment: Antibiotics like ceftiofur, based on vet tests. Don’t guess—get it right.

Prevention: Control rodents, use heat-treated feed, and vaccinate. My barn cats earn their keep here.

10. Porcine Parvovirus (PPV): The Litter Loser

Ever wonder why a sow’s litter is smaller than expected? PPV attacks embryos, causing mummified fetuses or small litters.

Signs to Watch For: Irregular estrus cycles, small litters, or mummified fetuses at farrowing. Adults often show no signs.

Treatment: No treatment—focus on prevention.

Prevention: Vaccinate gilts twice before breeding, quarantine new pigs, and disinfect breeding areas thoroughly.

Everyday Herd Health Hacks: Prevention First

Like poultry care, pig health is all about prevention. Biosecurity is king—use foot baths, visitor logs, and separate tools. Keep barns at 60–70°F with good ventilation, feed balanced rations (16–18% protein for growers), and vaccinate based on your herd’s risks. I do monthly vet checks and keep detailed records, which caught a PRRS flare-up early once. Stress—like weaning or heat—makes pigs vulnerable, so manage transitions carefully. And watch out for zoonotics—wash up after handling sick pigs to avoid erysipelas.

Common Questions from the Barn

How often should I deworm? Every 3–6 months, based on fecal tests. Worms are sneaky.

What’s the biggest outbreak risk? New pigs—quarantine them for 30 days minimum.

Can I treat without a vet? Minor issues, maybe, but always consult a vet for drugs to avoid resistance or mistakes.

How do I know my pigs are healthy? Bright eyes, good appetite, and active behavior. Any change? Call the vet.

Why Healthy Pigs Are Worth It

Keeping your pigs healthy isn’t just about saving money—it’s about the joy of farming. My sows greet me with grunts every morning, and those piglets? Pure entertainment. Healthy pigs grow faster, breed better, and make your farm life easier. Plus, you’ll save on vet bills and avoid the heartbreak of losses. My herd’s thriving now, thanks to lessons learned the hard way, and I want the same for you.

Wrap-Up: Keep Your Herd Oinking Strong

Wondering how to keep your pigs healthy and your farm humming? It starts with knowing these pig diseases and staying proactive. Clean barns, smart feeding, and biosecurity—like poultry care basics—can prevent most problems. Watch for early signs, act fast with your vet, and invest in prevention like vaccinations and quarantine. My pigs, like my old sow Mabel, are living proof that a little know-how goes a long way. Here’s to healthy herds, happy mornings, and plenty of bacon!