Estrategias de medicina preventiva para el control de la diarrea posdestete en porcino tras la supresión del óxido de zinc (I)

Abstract

Post-weaning diarrhea (PPD) is an economically important disease in pig production, which frequently affects animals during the nursey phase. lt is a multifactorial disease in which enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the most frequent infectious factor that is necessary but not sufficient for the appearance of the digestive disorder. Thus, there are also predisposing and contributing factors that can play a relevant role in the development of the digestive disease. In this sense, preventive medicine strategies should focus on reducing the relevance of predisposing factors through improving colostrum intake in the first 24 hours post partum, increasing the weaning age and reducing stress in this critical phase of life. Another longer term strategy is to have animals genetically resistant to PPD. On the other hand, a good control of the contributing factors should focus on improving housing conditions, the density of the animals, their feeding program and controlling other potential infectious agents. Finally, the control of the determining factors should focus on optimizing hygiene and disinfection measures and applying vaccines against ETEC that are registered for use at the European level.