Ileitis occurs mostly in grow-finish pigs, but may also show up in animals as young as three weeks of age. Outbreaks are often associated with a variety of stressors, but not all pigs within a population are necessarily infected simultaneously.

The two common forms of ileitis are acute/hemorrhagic and chronic. Acute symptoms, usually in older growing pigs, include dark diarrhea with unclotted blood, followed by feebleness and occasionally death; if a pregnant sow becomes infected, she may abort. Chronic issues tend to occur in younger pigs under 20 weeks of age, and feature diarrhea with no blood, in addition to disinterest in food.

The disease is commonly transmitted through feces, and pigs can be carriers up to 10 weeks after first being exposed, despite clinical symptoms disappearing after a month. Once diagnosed, ileitis is best treated with tylosin, which can be administered through feed or water supply.

MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE CONTROL

Elanco’s portfolio includes Denagard^® and Tylan^® to empower producers with better management of their swine herds’ ileitis. In both ileitis and swine dysentery (SD), impacts on growth and ADG ability can be significant, as well as on treatment costs and mortality. Controlling your number-one enteric challenge, ileitis, alleviates costly consequences and delivers a Full Value Finish.

Success is best achieved when you have a partner knowledgeable about and able to offer effective solutions to mitigate health issues such as pervasive enteric disease.