by Dr Stan Done and Nigel Woolfenden

Example of PDNS in a growing pig typically, the condition occurs later than PMWS and tends to be characterised by obvious skin blemishes.

Most of the attention on pig diseases associated with the porcine circovirus PCV2 has been devoted to the PMWS wasting syndrome in young pigs. However, recent successes with circovirus vaccines have suggested that they are also helpful in dealing with the later condition known as the porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome.

PDNS was thought originally to occur separately from PMWS, but it is now regarded as part of the same systemic manifestations of a PCV2 infection. An important difference is in the timing of appearance. When they arise together in the same unit, the usual form is for PDNS to occur 12-14 weeks after PMWS, probably as a result of a damaged immune response. However, the later syndrome affects only a small proportion of the pigs, typically those in good condition.

Purple patches around the peritoneal region of the pig's abdomen are from acute epizootic PDNS lesions.

Acute cases occurring in pigs in the wide age range of 7-22 weeks must be treated as involving a notifiable disease, because the signs resemble those of classical swine fever/hog cholera. A rare epizootic form seen in the UK particularly in 1999-2000 needed to be differentiated from both classical swine fever and African swine fever because of the presence of enlarged swollen, oedematous and haemorrhagic lymph nodes. Other differential diagnoses include acute erysipelas, bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD) infection, salmonellosis and similar septicaemias.

Signs on the skin

At post-mortem, the most significant finding is that up to 60% of the kidney may be infiltrated with mononuclear cells. Before the occurrence of PDNS it was very difficult to find any kidneys with any evidence of interstitial nephritis characterised by mononuclear cell infiltration.

As a dermatitis, PDNS is seen as skin lesions. These can vary from small marks to patches particularly over the loins, hind legs and ventral abdomen, but in severe cases they will cover the whole body. Eventually these areas develop a purple-red colour with black centres. The pigs may be pale and lethargic, sometimes they have a fever.

In acutely affected pigs the skin signs are very pronounced. Mortality rates can be as high as 80% and perhaps even 90%. But the morbidity level is low, under 1%. Sporadic cases of PDNS also are observed and can happen at any stage between 5 weeks and 9 months old. The clinical signs of sporadic, enzootic and epizootic forms are shown in the chart on page 18.

Although there is no proof as yet, it is likely that PDNS results from disturbances of the immune system. High levels of the circovirus are thought to become attached to the major antigen-presenting cells in the tissues, which are known as dendritic cells. The infected dendritic cells retain their ability to process and present antigen to lymphocytes even with the PCV2 infection. However, they are less able to recognise the danger signals' presented by foreign antigens.

The effects on these cells may mean no efficient immune response develops against other pathogens. Therefore further infections can occur as they do in PDNS, with 3 different viruses (those of PRRS and swine influenza alongside PV2) being identified in one recently reported case. A further observation has been that PCV2 affects the infected macrophages (defence cells) so the protective system of the pig tries to stimulate both cellular and humoral immunity at the same time. As one will counteract the other, this is hardly likely to lead to a successful immune response.

Lesions of acute epizootic PDNS resembling acute classical swine fever include enlarged haemorrhagic lymph nodes, haemorrhages in the lumen of gut and ulcers in the area of the ileum or caecum.

But there has been some success internationally in controlling PCV2 infections through changes in management and the genetics used by pig units. Some countries report that the really susceptible family lines may have been eliminated from breeding stock, leaving the more resistant families. Such methods appear to have reduced morbidity and mortality by 50% at sites trying to control PCV-associated diseases, even before the recent introduction of vaccines to use either on the sow or on piglets. However, experience in Europe is that these vaccine products have greatly improved the disease situation.

What is more, from practitioner observations in the UK, the considerable reduction in the incidence of PMWS cases has been accompanied by the near-disappearance of PDNS. We can see already that vaccination has reduced the immuno-suppression and therefore the presence of the secondary infections associated with PDNS cases. PIGI

The Preserve Pig:

The Preserve Pig:

Not all pigs are suited for life at The Preserve. The beauty and simplicity of The Preserve Concept calls for The Preserve to exist as part of a partnership and a network of more traditional sanctuaries, which are designed and equipped to handle those pigs for whom life at The Preserve would be a challenge instead of a gift.

The Preserve will accept virtually all breeds of pigs...from Vietnamese Potbellied pigs, other breeds of miniature pigs as well as the larger farm pigs, providing they meet certain physical criteria.

General Criteria for Preserve Candidates:

-Ages 1-12...although other ages may be allowed within family groups on a case-by-case basis.

-Neutered or spayed

-In good overall physical condition: good sight, good hearing and good mobility.

-No known, pre-existing, chronic medical conditions which would affect the pig's ability to enjoy life at The Preserve.

-Previously blood tested for pseudorabies and brucellosis

-Micro chipped prior to arrival

-Vaccinated for basic pig diseases plus rabies and tetanus based on the recommendation of our veterinarian.

-Emotionally suited for life at The Preserve.

The most likely Preserve Candidates will be pigs coming from large rescues and/or abusive backgrounds who have not formed close human bonds. Many of these animals have survived months or years of neglect and abuse at the hands of humans and will be only too happy to live in an environment where humans play a very small role in their lives. They, more than other pigs, will benefit from what The Preserve will offer them. They have no need for belly rubs, bubble baths, hoof pedicures, specially designed “swine finery”, or social outings with humans. What they crave, and what The Preserve can offer them, is 100 acres of freedom, the company of other pigs, a ready supply of nutritious food, ponds and streams to play in, shelter from the elements, safety from predators and minimal human contact.

In short...they will be able to be pigs...living life on their own terms.

The quintessential “pet pig” who has been raised indoors and who has spent his/her life in the constant company of humans instead of other pigs is probably not a good Preserve Candidate. These pigs will do better in the more traditional sanctuary environment. And, without the need of having to cope with the large number of Preserve Pigs, the partnering sanctuaries will have more space, more resources and more time available to cater to the needs of these pigs.

It is a win/win situation for the pigs and for the sanctuaries.

Pathogenesis of Vesicular Diseases Group

Pathogenesis of Vesicular Diseases Group

(FMDV) affects both ruminants and pigs. Some ruminants (but not pigs) become persistently infected with FMDV even though the animals have recovered from the disease. We call these individuals 'carriers'. Such infections can persist for many months or even years. The carriers are a danger because they have the potential to spread live virus to susceptible animals. Consequently, their occurrence significantly constrains trade in live susceptible animals and their products. Unfortunately, a vaccinated ruminant that has had contact with live virus can also become a carrier. If the threat presented by carriers could be reduced or prevented, the reluctance to use vaccine to help control an outbreak of FMD in a previously FMD-free country would no longer be justified, and trade constraints on FMD-infected countries that regularly vaccinate could be reduced.

We focus on the mechanisms of the disease process (pathogenesis), persistence, and transmission of FMDV and swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV). Greater understanding of the fundamentals of these processes will feed through to the development of improved vaccines and better control strategies.

Feeding & Watering Pigs

Pigs, like all animals, must have constant access to clean fresh drinking water. Pigs also like to make a wallow - a muddy hole - to lie in. They may do this by tipping the water out of their water trough. They will also stand in the water trough and wash their dirty faces in it. So it needs to be checked regularly, cleaned out and refilled.

If you are clever and have the right equipment, you can mix your own food for your pigs. But we would recommend investing in a good quality commercial pig food. We use Feeding instructions are on the bag, but basically you feed 1lb of food each day for each month of age, up to a maximum of 6lbs per day. Do not feed more than this - you will waste money and end up with over-fat pigs. Furthermore, weigh the food. Six pounds is probably less than you think. On our course, there was a couple who had successfully raised two Saddleback weaners previously and were about to get their second pair. When we were shown how much six pounds of feed was, they were aghast and said that they had been feeding this amount twice per day. They also admitted that their pigs had killed out with about six inches of back fat!

Split the feeds into at least two per day. Pigs like feeding so give them as much fun as possible. We used a feed trough to start with, but latterly, we just threw the pellets over as wide an area of the pen as possible and let the pigs forage for them. Waste isn't a problem (although our land is quite well drained) and it made feeding time last so much longer.

We also feed our pigs selected scraps from the garden and occasionally the kitchen - things like lettuces which have gone to seed, left-over boiled pasta, over-ripe bananas (with the skins on) and so on. Be aware that it is illegal to feed them any meat at all.

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Information for Concerned Parents and Caregivers

1-What is H1N1 Flu?

H1N1 is a type of influenza (flu) virus that causes respiratory disease that can spread between people. Most people infected with this virus in the United States have had mild disease, but some have had more severe illness, and there has been at least one death. Young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease may be at higher risk for complications from this infection. More information about who may be at higher risk will be available when more is known about the disease. There are steps you can take to protect your family and to know when to seek medical care.

2-What are the symptoms?
-In most children, the symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They -include:
-Fever
-Cough
-Sore throat
-Body aches
-Headache
-Chills and fatigue
-Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea

Young children may not have typical symptoms, but may have difficulty breathing and low activity. Little is known about how H1N1 may affect children. However, we think the infection may be similar to other flu infections. Typically, flu infections cause mild disease in children, but children under 5 years old are more likely to have serious illness than older children. Although rare, severe respiratory illness (pneumonia) and deaths have been reported with flu infections in children. Flu infections tend to be more severe in children with chronic medical conditions.

3-How to keep from getting it?
Flu viruses spread from person to person mainly through the coughing or sneezing of a sick person. Flu virus may also be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. We think H1N1 flu spreads the same way as other flu viruses. Right now, there is no vaccine to protect against H1N1 flu, but there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like H1N1 flu:

1-Teach your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.

2-Teach your children to cough and sneeze into a tissue or into the inside of their elbow. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
Teach your children to stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.

3-Children who are sick should stay home from school and daycare and stay away from other people until they are better.

4-In communities where H1N1 flu has occurred, stay away from shopping malls, movie theaters, or other places where there are large groups of people.


4-What to do if your child is sick?

1-Unless they need medical attention, keep children who are sick at home. Don’t send them to school or daycare.

2-Have them drink a lot of liquid (juice, water, Pedialyte ®).

3-Keep the sick child comfortable. Rest is important.

4-For fever, sore throat, and muscle aches, you can use fever-reducing medicines that your

doctor recommends based on your child’s age. Do not use aspirin with children or teenagers; it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a life-threatening illness.

5-If someone in your home is sick, keep him or her away from those who are not sick.

6-Keep tissues close to the sick person and have a trash bag within reach for disposing used tissues.

If your child comes in contact with someone with H1N1 flu, ask your doctor if he or she should receive antiviral medicines to prevent getting sick from H1N1 Flu.

If your child experiences any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
1-Bluish or gray skin color
2-Not drinking enough fluids
3-Not waking up or not interacting
4-Being so irritable that he or she does not want to be held
5-Not urinating or no tears when crying
6-Their symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use in Certain Community Settings Where H1N1 Influenza Virus Transmission Has Been Detected

Information on the effectiveness of facemasks and respirators for the control of influenza in community settings is extremely limited. Thus, it is difficult to assess their potential effectiveness in controlling swine influenza A (H1N1) virus transmission in these settings. In the absence of clear scientific data, the interim recommendations below have been developed on the basis of public health judgment and the historical use of facemasks and respirators in other settings.

In areas with confirmed human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, the risk for infection can be reduced through a combination of actions. No single action will provide complete protection, but an approach combining the following steps can help decrease the likelihood of transmission. These actions include frequent handwashing, covering coughs, and having ill persons stay home, except to seek medical care, and minimize contact with others in the household.Additional measures that can limit transmission of a new influenza strain include voluntary home quarantine of members of households with confirmed or probable swine influenza cases, reduction of unnecessary social contacts, and avoidance whenever possible of crowded settings.

When it is absolutely necessary to enter a crowded setting or to have close contact3 with persons who might be ill, the time spent in that setting should be as short as possible. If used correctly, facemasks and respirators may help reduce the risk of getting influenza, but they should be used along with other preventive measures, such as avoiding close contact and maintaining good hand hygiene. A respirator that fits snugly on your face can filter out small particles that can be inhaled around the edges of a facemask, but compared with a facemask it is harder to breathe through a respirator for long periods of time.

When crowded settings or close contact with others cannot be avoided, the use of facemasks or respirators in areas where transmission of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus has been confirmed should be considered as follows:

1-Whenever possible, rather than relying on the use of facemasks or respirators, close contact with people who might be ill and being in crowded settings should be avoided.

2-Facemasks1 should be considered for use by individuals who enter crowded settings, both to protect their nose and mouth from other people's coughs and to reduce the wearers' likelihood of coughing on others; the time spent in crowded settings should be as short as possible.

3-Respirators should be considered for use by individuals for whom close contact with an infectious person is unavoidable. This can include selected individuals who must care for a sick person (e.g., family member with a respiratory infection) at home.

These interim recommendations will be revised as new information about the use of facemasks and respirators in the current setting becomes available.


1-Unless otherwise specified, the term "facemasks" refers to disposable masks cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as medical devices. This includes facemasks labeled as surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation, or laser masks. Such facemasks have several designs. One type is affixed to the head with two ties, conforms to the face with the aid of a flexible adjustment for the nose bridge, and may be flat/pleated or duck-billed in shape. Another type of facemask is pre-molded, adheres to the head with a single elastic band, and has a flexible adjustment for the nose bridge. A third type is flat/pleated and affixes to the head with ear loops. Facemasks cleared by the FDA for use as medical devices have been determined to have specific levels of protection from penetration of blood and body fluids.

2-Unless otherwise specified, "respirator" refers to an N95 or higher filtering facepiece respirator certified by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

3-Three feet has often been used by infection control professionals to define close contact and is based on studies of respiratory infections; however, for practical purposes, this distance may range up to 6 feet. The World Health Organization uses "approximately 1 meter"; the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration uses "within 6 feet." For consistency with these estimates, this document defines close contact as a distance of up to 6 feet.

Interim Guidance for H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home

Swine influenza A virus infection (swine flu) can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. People with swine flu also can have vomiting and diarrhea. Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe.Severe disease with pneumonia, respiratory failure and even death is possible with swine flu infection. Certain groups might be more likely to develop a severe illness from swine flu infection, such as persons with chronic medical conditions. Sometimes bacterial infections may occur at the same time as or after infection with influenza viruses and lead to pneumonias, ear infections, or sinus infections.

The following information can help you provide safer care at home for sick persons during a flu pandemic.

1-How Flu Spreads?

The main way that influenza viruses are thought to spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Influenza viruses may also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else’s mouth or nose) before washing their hands.

People with swine flu who are cared for at home should:
1-check with their health care provider about any special care they might need if they are pregnant or have a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or emphysema
2-check with their health care provider about whether they should take antiviral medications
3-stay home for 7 days after the start of illness and fever is gone
4-get plenty of rest
5-drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) tokeep from being dehydrated
6-cover coughs and sneezes. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often and especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into hands.
7-avoid close contact with others – do not go to work or school while ill
8-be watchful for emergency warning signs (see below) that might indicate you need to seek medical attention