Promoting Intestinal Integrity in Swine
Intestinal Integrity plays an essential role in the overall health of swine, as well as in the productivity of your swine operation. Intestinal Integrity refers to the strength and function of the epithelium, or inner lining, of the intestine. This barrier is what separates the body from the external environment, and Intestinal Integrity is essential in order for it to function appropriately.
The intestinal epithelium plays a number of important roles. First, Intestinal Integrity is responsible for excluding pathogens from the body. Without Intestinal Integrity, any bacterium or parasite that is ingested could enter the bloodstream and cause infection. Secondly, Intestinal Integrity plays an essential role in nutrition. Intestinal Integrity allows the gastrointestinal tract to digest, absorb, secrete and transfer substances, allowing swine to obtain nutritional value from their food sources.
Intestinal Integrity: Does It Matter?
Poor Intestinal Integrity increases an animal’s susceptibility to infectious disease. Pigs with impaired Intestinal Integrity may develop diarrhea and become susceptible to a variety of infections, such as colibacillosis, rotavirus, salmonellosis, and coccidiosis. Without tight barriers in the intestinal epithelium, infectious organisms that are commonly found within the intestinal contents can cross the intestinal epithelium and enter the body. Once these pathogens enter the body, they can create significant infections.
Poor Intestinal Integrity also impacts a pig’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients that are present in the diet. Animals with poor Intestinal Integrity will have an increased feed conversion ratio, requiring greater nutrient inputs to achieve desired weight gains, because they are unable to digest and absorb their food. An increased feed conversion ratio negatively affects both the profitability and financial viability of a swine operation while also impacting the health and welfare of your pigs.
Promoting Intestinal Integrity in Swine
As a swine producer, there are a number of ways you can promote the Intestinal Integrity of your herd.
Work to prevent gastrointestinal disease at every step of pig development through husbandry actions such as disinfection, personnel control and all-in/all-out measures. When available, use vaccines to prevent common infectious diseases that may affect the gastrointestinal tract. In the farrowing house, take proactive steps to prevent E. coli, Clostridium perfringens (Types A and C), Clostridium dificile, porcine endemic diarrhea, rotavirus and coccidiosis. In the nursery, work to prevent salmonellosis, swine dysentery and ileitis. Finally, in the grower/finisher stage, take action to minimize the risk of transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE), whipworms and roundworms. Each of these infectious diseases negatively impacts Intestinal Integrity, making your pigs more susceptible to other infections and decreasing nutritional gains.
If and when gastrointestinal infections do occur, early detection and treatment are key. Addressing infections early can minimize clinical signs, the risk of secondary infection and the likelihood that disease will spread within your herd. Stopping intestinal infections in their tracks will improve Intestinal Integrity, maximizing feed conversion and profitability.
Remember, Intestinal Integrity not only plays a role in the prevention of clinical disease; it also minimizes subclinical disease and maximizes feed conversion and profits.
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