Show T TV QT BIG LOSSES FROM SWINE AILMENTS much could be prevented by providing dry shelter prepared by the united states department of 0 agriculture heavy losses have been experienced by swine owners this winter ns as a result sult of two diseases having symptoms somewhat resembling those of hog cholera the cause in most cases investigated vesti gated has been pneumonia according to dr U G houck in charge of cholera control work in the bureau of animal industry united states department of agriculture the other disease Is swine influenza commonly known as flu losses of swine from these diseases can be largely prevented by providing dry shelter for the animals to protect them front from exposure to cold wind rain sleet and snow 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 bedin bed in the open the first cold rain or snow nearly always results in a number of sick animals but this year the loss 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 draft drafty y sheds when permanent hog 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 an open front shed having a tight roof and sides will often afford sufficient lelent 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 aa a result of this mistaken idea entire enair 0 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 well able to resist a sudden change to severe cold weather as are many other kinds of domestic animals the thin covering of hair Is not suni clent protection against exposure 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 the visible mucous membranes Is absent and there are no red spots on the skin the trouble does not as a rule spread to the entire herd and the postmortem post mortem examination reveals lesions confined principally to the lungs ilog 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 coughing the eyes are swollen and there may be a discharge from the nose when a herd shows symptoms of flu all prompt measures should be taken to house and otherwise achre care for the animals in order to prevent losses when any of the symptoms described occur in a herd of swine that has already been immunized against cholera doctor houck adds one should suspect the presence of pneumonia flu bronchitis or similar di disease 3 and take prompt measures to prevent losses |