The ABC’s of Gilt Entry: Acclimation, Biosecurity, and ConvalescenceDr. Wesley Lyons

The ideal gilt

The ideal gilt: Reaches sexual maturity early Is not overly conditioned Is exposed and acclimated to the farm bugs Does not bring any “new” bugs to the farm Is fully vaccinated prior to breeding Maintains structural and reproductive soundness throughout the GDU

period and beyond

The ideal gilt

ATM- Gilt Management Series

Drs. Billy Flowers, Jenny Patterson, and Noel Williams

Birthweight influence on lifetime performance

Importance of nutrition and weight at breeding (not as important

as age)

Frequency and adequacy of early boar stimulation

Framing the conversation

Acclimation: the process in which an individual organism adjusts to a gradual change in its environment, allowing it to maintain performance across a range of environmental conditions

Biosecurity: the sum of the measures taken to prevent disease introduction or spread within a farm

Convalescence: the period needed to return to health after an illness

Acclimation: exposure and vaccination

“”

Exposure: The devil we know… and some we don’t.

-Dr. Kent Schwartz

Exposure: the bucket model

Major Pathogens Knowns and Unknowns

1. PRRSV*2. PEDV3. PDCoV4. TGEV5. APP6. Brachyspira spp.7. Mycoplasma

hyopneumoniae*

1. Other Mycoplasmas2. HPS3. Strep4. A. suis5. IAV-S6. Rotavirus7. E.coli8. Clostridium spp.9. Salmonella spp.10.Parvovirus11.Others

*Depends on herd status

Exposure: the how to’s

Feedback- all about quality, quantity, and timing Quality: “the devil you know”

Handling and kind of material Quantity: adequate amount for the number of gilts Timing: Boosting immunity without hindering performance

As soon as possible after clearing isolation period* Other exposure methods

Live animal introduction Intratracheal inoculation

“”

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure-Benjamin Franklin

Vaccinations for the arriving gilt

Must haves: Circovirus Parvovirus Erysipelas Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Lawsonia Leptospirosis?

Dependent on herd status: PRRSV Influenza

Biosecurity: bioexclusion and internal biosecurity

Bioexclusion: keeping the bad bugs out

1. Know your source

2. Double check your source

Bioexclusion: know your source

Vet to vet communications

Herd health profile

Alerts for any status changes

Bioexclusion: double check your source

Test gilts for major pathogens after arrival PRRSV PED/PDCoV Kind of testing*

Test again prior to entry for “late bloomers” Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Internal biosecurity: protect this house

New gilts to be treated as foreign until clearing health tests Follow best biosecurity practices

Shower-in/shower-out Chore at the end of the day Educate and re-educate personnel

Convalescence: natural and interventional

Major Pathogens Knowns and Unknowns

1. PRRSV*2. PEDV3. PDCoV4. TGEV5. APP6. Brachyspira spp.7. Mycoplasma

hyopneumoniae*

1. Other Mycoplasmas2. HPS3. Strep4. A. suis5. IAV-S6. Rotavirus7. E.coli8. Clostridium spp.9. Salmonella spp.10.Parvovirus11.Others

*Depends on herd status

Convalescence: natural

Timeline of shedding

IAV-S~8 days

PRRSDependent on vaccination (~60 days)

M. Hyop~256 days

Coronaviruses, HPS, A. suis, Rotavirus

Other Mycoplasmas, Salmonella, E.coli

Convalescence: interventional

Booster vaccinations: HPS, Influenza, PRRSV, E.coli

“Cool down” antibiotics: Broad spectrum Goal to decrease shedding prior to herd entry

Sow how long is this going to take, doc?

Test for PRRS & Coronavirus 3

Day zero

Summary of events

Begin with healthy gilts Prove health status of supplier with testing

Acclimate with correct material at the right time Vaccinate for the diseases your herd has Build in a “cool down” convalescence time with antibiotics and

booster vaccinations Walk, don’t run

Questions?