Porcine Hemorrhagic Syndrome
Porcine Hemorrhagic Syndrome is a coagulopathy
of swine which is observed sporadically in Indiana and throughout
the Midwest. In the US, it most commonly occurs approximately
two weeks after a change in feed. In the majority of cases,
vitamin K (as menadione) has been absent from the ration.
However, even when vitamin K was present in the feed, outbreaks
have been reported which resolved when additional vitamin
K was added.
This syndrome is characterized by internal
and/or external hemorrhage (from bite wounds, castrations,
injections, etc.), prolonged bleeding times (prolonged PT
and APT), anemia, lameness (bleeding into joints), and anorexia
with rapid response to vitamin K therapy. Porcine Hemorrhagic
Syndrome most often affects recently weaned pigs, but can
affect swine of any age. Morbidity is often high and mortality
can range from 4% to 88%.
The cause of Hemorrhagic Pig Syndrome
is still unknown almost 30 years after it was first reported.
This is probably due in large part to the sporadic incidence
of the syndrome, because of the widespread supplementation
of swine rations with vitamin K (as menadione). However, a
feed-related toxin, perhaps of fungal origin, is thought to
be a possible culprit, although dietary deficiencies, use
of combinations of antibiotics, and inadequate intestinal
synthesis are also possibilities.
Diagnosis of this condition is based
on the history and clinical signs, prolonged coagulation times,
and rapid response to: vitamin K therapy and removal of the
incriminated feed.
Within the last year, one case of vitamin
K-responsive Hemorrhagic Syndrome in a herd of pigs was reported
in Indiana. From the liver of one of these pigs, the Assistant
Chemist of the ADDL Toxicology Laboratory was able to identify
a possible causative agent. Fortunately for the swine herd,
the case was very rapidly resolved by vitamin K supplementation
and taking the pigs off of the new feed. Unfortunately for
the purposes of identifying the causative agent, the feed
was destroyed and vitamin K was administered before clinical
evaluations could be made, or the feed and other samples could
be further analyzed to confirm the presence of the suspect
agent. Therefore, if any cases of suspected Porcine Hemorrhagic
Syndrome are seen, we would greatly appreciate it if the ADDL
Toxicology Laboratory could be notified as soon as possible
for a thorough work up to attempt to identify the causative
agent of this syndrome.
If there are any questions, or to report
a suspected outbreak of Porcine Hemorrhagic Syndrome, please
call the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory - Toxicology
Section at (765) 494-7440.
- by Jennifer Harms, B.S.
Christina Wilson, B.S.
Robert Everson, PhD
Stephen Hooser, DVM, PhD
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