Show r LIVE L s i OCK BIG LOSSES FROM SWINE AILMENTS ruch much could be prevented by providing dry shelter prepared by the tha united states department of 0 agriculture heavy losses have been experienced ay y swine owners this winter as a result of two diseases having symptoms somewhat resembling those of hog rb bolera olera the cause in most cases investigated vesti gated has been pneumonia according to dr U G houck in charge ot of hog cholera control work in the bureau of animal industry united states department of agriculture the ilie other disease Is amne influenza commonly known as flu losses of swine from these diseases can be largely prevented by providing dry shelter tor for the animals to protect them from exposure to cold wind rain sleet and snow enow cases of pneumonia so common in the fall and winter months doctor houck states usually follow a period of mild weather when the animals run out or are allowed to bed in the open the first cold rain or snow nearly always results in a number of sick au igals but this year the loss lias has been greater than usual especially in the central western states in many cases the animals would not go into shelters unless they were driven while others slept in damp bedding or drafty sheds when permanent hog lio houses are lacking comfortable quarters can usually be provided at small cost by the use of the portable A type houses or other shelter which will protect against drafts undue dampness and exposure even eden an open front shed having a tight roof and sides will often afford sufficient protection the use of bedding also helps to prevent sickness it Is customary to regard the hog as a hardy animal needing little or no protection from cold weather As a result of this mista mistaken kea idea entire herds are often unduly exposed and become affected with pneumonia or flu with resulting heavy losses to the owners even a fat hog government veterinarians point out is not so BO well able to resist a sudden change chance to severe cold weather as are many other kinds of domestic animals ani a Is the thin covering of hair Is nott not sufficient protection against exposure espo sure to cold weather and the danger Is increased when the hog lies on wet ground when an animal Is affected with pneumonia the symptoms often resemble hog cholera except that the congested condition of tile visible mucous membranes Is absent and the there re are no red spots on the skin the trouble does not as a rule spread to the entire lierd herd and the postmortem post mortem examination reveals lesions confined principally to the lungs hog flu Is characterized by the sudden prostration of a large number of the herd accompanied by loss of appetite and spasmodic breathing when urged to move the animals have violent fits of cou coughing aln the eyes are swollen and there may be a discharge from the nose lose when a herd shows symptoms of flu prompt measures should be taken to house and otherwise care for the animals in order to prevent losses when any of the symptoms described occur la in a herd of swine that has already been immunized against cholera doctor houck adds one should suspect the presence of pneumonia nu flu bronchitis or similar dl disease and take prompt measures to prevent losses |