Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1911 — Anti-Hog Cholera Serum [ARTICLE]

Anti-Hog Cholera Serum

Anti-hog cholera serum has been produced by the Purdue Experiment Station for the past three years. About 50,000 hogs have been vaccinated and treated. The results of this work have been highly satisfactory. Reports sent to this station by farmers who have used serum on their hogs show that the average loss in the infected herds treated was 9.5 per cent., and following the vaccination of the healthy herds in these infected localities, 2.25 per cent. In neighborhoods where hog cholera infection is present, all 'herds in the near vicinity or adjoining farms to the cholera hogs should be vaccinated. This precaution, if taken, would prevent the spread of the disease and result in the saving of the exposed herds. Anti-hog cholera serum is chiefly a preventive agent. Because of the losses that sometimes occur in the badly infected herds that are treated and the large doses required, we refuse to furnish serum for the treatment of such herds. As practically all of the vaccination work is- done in cholera infected localities and exposed herds, it is very necessary to determine whether the exposed hogs are infected before giving them virulent cholera blood. In hog cholera, the animal is feverish several days before it stop£ eating or manifests marked symptoms of disease. For this reason the body temperature of -all hogs should be taken before injecting the virulent blood. If the animal has a body temperature of 104 degrees or more, serum alone in an increased dose should be used. Virulent blood should not be given when fever is present, whether it be from hog cholera or any other cause. Failure to practice the above precaution has resulted in heavy loss in a number of herds where serum has been used. The most desirable size at which to vaccinate hogs is when they weigh from 40 to 60 pounds. At this size the dose of serum is comparatively small and the young hogs can he easily handled and rendered permanently immune. In infected localities it is sometimes necessary to vaccinate small pigs. This is frequently practiced, hut it may be necessary to re7vaccinate them within a few months as the immunity is not permanent.

It is essential that the herd be given good care during and after vaccination and treatment. Hypodermic syringes appropriate for the work should be usee* and these should be carefully cleaned and disinfected before using. The inner sides .of the thighs where the injections are made, should be washed and disinfected. After vaccination the hogs should be kept out of dirty pens, manure piles and muddy wallows, in order to prevent infection of the small wound made by the hypodermic needle. The herd should be given clean, dry pens, free from dust and well bedded, and fed a light ration for a few days fol- . lowing the vaccination. When the abscesses form,' they should receive the necessary treatment. Badly infected herds should not be treated with serum, if the infection is recent, serum may be tt«ed, but in addition the herd sfamid receive proper treatment and care. ft » impossible for this stalk*- to produce sufficient serum to m the orders received. Re- - rr

quistion blanks are furnished the veterinarians, and orders for serum are' made through them. It is necessary to charge for the serutn and virulent blood, as this line of work receives no state support. The average cost of vaccinating hogs has been about 60 cents per head.— H. H. Madaus, Ass’t. in Veterinary -Laboratory.