4.3.1 What is diarrhoea compared to normal faeces?
Faeces consist of water and dry matter – digested feed etc. Diarrhoea occurs when affected pigs have pathologic changes in their intestines, particularly in the lower intestine that disrupts the ability to regulate water levels in the faeces,
resulting in increased water in the faeces and visible diarrhoea. To be clinically evident, the resorptive capacity of the large intestine must be exceeded. Examination of the consistency of faeces gives a reliable guide to its dry matter content. If the faeces have a dry matter content of greater than 25%, faeces are likely to be firm and formed, if between 20 and 25% they are likely to be a more sloppy consistency.
Below 20%, the faeces become a more watery consistency consistent with loose diarrhoea.
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