9 October 2024

4 minute read

By: Lee Williamson

North America

Dr. Megan Bollin, swine technical services veterinarian at Norbrook, spoke to The Pig Site’s Sarah Mikesell at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.

Editor’s note: this interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Tell me about the impact of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae on the swine herd, health and welfare.

Mycoplasma is one of those bacteria that contributes to swine respiratory disease. It can cause enzootic pneumonia. It usually is an instigator enforcing respiratory disease complex where it sets the pig up for getting PRRS, influenza or another respiratory agent on top of it. It has a way of compounding the problem, and it's an endemic problem that we have in the US.

The good news is that we have the tools, strategies and expertise to eliminate it. Dr. Paul Yeske proposed this elimination to the industry this year. He's been a big proponent of this for many years but challenged the industry this year at the AASV meeting to eliminate Mycoplasma at a herd level nationally.

It is something that is doable. It's something that the swine industry is capable of. We have the people, we have the expertise, we just need that push and leadership to take the next step.

What are the latest advancements in M. hyo elimination protocols because it is an undertaking to eliminate this disease?

Any disease elimination is going to be a big challenge whether it's PRRS, Mycoplasma, or influenza. The swine industry has a history of disease elimination. If you think back to the pseudo rabies days in the late 80s and early 90s that was a lengthy process, but it was worthwhile in the end.

Mycoplasma is one of those diseases that can nickel and dime producers, especially in the grow-finish phase. There's a lot of research out there that estimates the economic impact, but it can be anywhere. If it's a simple Mycoplasma infection, it could cost the producer $5 per head, but if the producer has influenza or PRRS, it can easily double the economic cost.

It's a disease that we should eliminate because it's going to help improve our herd health. It's going to improve animal welfare, and it's going to make our lives a lot simpler when it comes to producing healthy, nutritious pork for consumers.

As far as new techniques and protocols are concerned, there are several. There are some modifications to each, and I always say work with your herd veterinarian to hone in on which one is going to be the best for your specific operation.

1. Depop -repop. When the markets are favorable, that's a good option to eliminate multiple pathogens.
2. Herd closure and medication. You must expose all the animals on the farm. When the replacement gilts come in, you want to expose them by 80 days of age so they can complete that shedding process in the 240-day window before they farrow and reinfect their piglets.

There's a lot of data and research that we've learned in the past couple of years that has really helped us be successful at these elimination practices. Antibiotics are a critical part of that medication program.

Let's talk about some of the solutions that Norbrook offers in this scenario of elimination.

I suggest collaborating with your herd veterinarian on what's going to be the best for your specific case. There's a lot of antibiotics out there as far as formulations go, whether it's in the feed, water or an injectable. If you're trying to eliminate PRRS concurrently with Mycoplasma, you're not going to want to use an injectable.

Again, it goes back to what your goals are. Norbrook does have a couple of options in our antibiotic portfolio. Tulathromycin is one of those with our Tulieve product that comes in a plastic bottle. We also have Enroflox, which is our enrofloxacin product. Both of those are specifically labeled for treatment and control of swine respiratory disease associated with Mycoplasma. Again, just another tool in the toolbox for veterinarians and producers.

You mentioned this is a disease that can co-exist with other diseases and exacerbate them?

Absolutely, it's not one plus one equals two. It's like one plus one equals 10. Mycoplasma can be the underlier and kind of set that animal up for more infections on top of it. If we can eliminate that problem, I say, why not?

We have a case example with the Maschhoffs. They have eliminated it from their system entirely. They have seen tremendous benefits to their downstream and to their market animals. It's definitely doable and we've got the tools to do it.