When treatment should go with the flow
You’re walking pens and you hear it: a dry cough to your left, several more on your right. All around, pigs are less active and heaving in shallow, rapid breaths.
When respiratory disease strikes, it’s critical to make the right treatment decisions. Water-soluble medication is one tried-and-true method veterinarians recommend.
“There are pros and cons to each method of antibiotic administration whether it’s water-soluble, feed or injectables. Understanding the options available and their distinct purpose is important because each has its place based on the diagnosis, the population impacted, the labor available, and current health status,” said Dr. Nic Lauterbach, Director of Technical Veterinary Services at Pharmgate Animal Health.
When pigs get sick, they typically reduce both water and feed intake. While some may stop eating entirely, they will still drink some water, which makes water-soluble antibiotics a practical option during a disease challenge. One of the biggest advantages of this approach is how quickly it can be implemented to treat the entire barn with minimal labor.
Checklist: When is water-soluble medication the right option?
Ask yourself these questions and consult your herd veterinarian to decide:
- Has water consumption dropped?
- Have pigs gone off feed?
- What specific health challenges or pathogens are you addressing?
- Is there a history of disease in your barn or in previous groups of pigs?
- How many pigs need to be treated in the population?
- What products are labeled for use against this particular pathogen?
- Is there adequate withdrawal time for your product of choice?
- Do you have the equipment available to treat water immediately?
- What is the per-pig-cost of the given antibiotic regimen?
Keep in mind, treatment through water, feed or with an injectable antibiotic is only a piece of the solution, and cannot replace the value of a clean, well maintained environment and proper biosecurity protocols.
“Keeping disease out in the first place is the best solution,” Lauterbach said. “Being on top of biosecurity is the only way to do that.”
Getting Started: 9 steps for successful delivery of water-soluble treatment
- Work with your veterinarian to identify the relevant bacterial pathogens, prescribe the right product and follow label instructions
- Ensure your water supply is clean and high-quality
- Clean and flush water lines, buckets, paddle/spatula and medicator systems before mixing
- Pharmgate Tip: For improved mixability, use a clean plastic bucket to mix water-soluble medications
- Check water flow rates and calibrate medicator system
- Calculate medication needed for a 24 hour administration
- Mix antibiotic dose in the correct volume of cold water based on the label and ensure medication dissolves completely
- Monitor water consumption over the course of the treatment
- Observe pigs for changes in symptoms and communicate with your veterinarian
- Flush water lines and clean medicator system to remove any residue following treatment
Have questions about the use of water-soluble medications? The team at Pharmgate offers leading water-soluble antibiotics as well as the expertise and knowledge to reach your herd health goals. Get connected or learn more at Pharmgate.com/USA.
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