Epizootology and manifestation of trichocephalosis in pigs on a farm in the Altai Region

Abstract

In the Altai Region, the predominant areas of livestock farming are cattle breeding, pig breeding, and deer (maral) breeding. Pig farming is one of the most important dynamically developing livestock sectors in Russia. Infectious and invasive diseases recorded in different pig development zones around the world are considered a limiting factor in the development of pig farming. The research goal was to study the epizootology and clinical presentation of trichocephalosis in pigs on a farm. From 2017 through 2019, in different seasons, 47 heads of pigs of different ages from a farm in the Altai Region underwent complete helminthological dissection. On the farm IP Mikhalev, fecal samples from 108 pigs, including 26 piglets from 2 to 4 months of age, were tested by helminthoovoscopy; 5-6 months - 34 heads, 7-9 months - 30 heads, and adult pigs - 18 heads. The clinical studies of pigs included the following indices: general condition, body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, appetite, skin condition, and fecal matter pattern. The greatest prevalence was observed in winter and spring. The invasion intensity reached from 320 to 410 pcs. On the farm IP Mikhalev, according to selective helminthoovoscopy, the percentage of infected pigs ranged from 9.4 to 17.2%. The most infested piglets were those under 4 months of age - 17.2%. The infestation of pigs with trichocephalosis indicates the widespread distribution of nematodes in pigs of different ages in all seasons in the farming sector of the Altai Region.