No one wants to walk into a barn and find lethargic, coughing pigs. But as the season for respiratory disease amps up, it’s important to consider the best treatment option for the situation at hand.
Pros and cons exist for each method of antibiotic administration whether it’s water-soluble, feed or injectables, says Nic Lauterbach, director of technical veterinary services at Pharmgate Animal Health.
“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,” Lauterbach adds.
Antibiotics delivered via water as a route of administration (ROA) continue to increase in usage. From 2011 to 2020, water as an ROA grew 4%. In 2020, water as a ROA represented 30% of antibiotic administration.
“Water medications can be an effective means in the treatment and prevention of disease within a pig herd,” agrees Casey Zangaro, Michigan State University swine Extension educator. “Through personal experience of managing a wean-to-finish barn, water soluble medications decreased labor cost and pig stress and efficiently decreased the mortality rate from SRD and other diseases. Water medication systems can work well if appropriately managed and maintained.”
When pigs get sick, both water and feed intake drop. While some may stop eating entirely, they will still drink some water.
“One of the biggest advantages of water-soluble antibiotics is how quickly it can be implemented to treat the entire barn with minimal labor,” Lauterbach says.
He suggests consulting your herd veterinarian first and then offers this checklist of questions to determine if water-soluble medication is the right option.
• 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?
No treatment can replace the value of a clean, well-maintained environment and proper biosecurity protocols. Lauterbach says keeping disease out in the first place – biosecurity – is the best solution.
9 Steps for Successful Delivery of Water-Soluble Treatments
If you determine water-soluble treatments are the best option, Lauterbach shares 9 steps to deliver these treatments to your herd.
1. Work with your veterinarian to identify the relevant bacterial pathogens, prescribe the right product and follow label instructions.
2. Ensure your water supply is clean and high-quality.
3. Clean and flush water lines, buckets, paddle/spatula and medicator systems before mixing. For improved mixability, use a clean plastic bucket to mix water-soluble medications.
4. Check water flow rates and calibrate medicator system.
5. Calculate the medication needed for a 24-hour administration.
6. Mix antibiotic dose in the correct volume of cold water based on the label and ensure medication dissolves completely.
7. Monitor water consumption over the course of the treatment.
8. Observe pigs for changes in symptoms and communicate with your veterinarian.
9. Flush water lines and clean medicator system to remove any residue following treatment.
