Boehringer Ingelheim launched the PCV2 Decision Tree this week to help producers and veterinarians make informed decisions about their porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD) management strategies.
The free digital tool walks users through a series of questions to help identify potential problem areas, paint a picture of a herd’s unique disease situation and generate a personalized protocol recommendation, the company said in a release.
A Devastating Virus
“Porcine circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) is one of the most devastating and economically significant viruses affecting swine populations,” Boehringer Ingelheim said in a release.
While vaccination has helped reduce the severity of PCVAD, there are many factors to consider when assessing the efficacy of an overall management program from vaccination timing to the presence of co-infections.
“For producers whose diagnostic monitoring confirms PCVAD, or instances where herds are struggling with PCV2d strains, the PCV2 Decision Tree may help uncover areas of improvement,” the company added.
PCV2d is the predominant strain circulating in U.S. swine herds today, explained John Waddell, DVM, director of key account veterinarians, Boehringer Ingelheim, in a release.
“Producers are contending with a much more complicated disease landscape than they were 15 years ago, when the first PCV2 vaccine came to the market,” he said. “Boehringer launched the first commercially available PCV2d vaccine, and we continue to develop new tools, like the PCV2 Decision Tree, to help producers and veterinarians ensure they are getting the most out of their PCVAD management programs.”
How Does It Work?
The PCV2 Decision Tree walks users through a variety of questions to help them get a full picture of PCV2 in their barns. In addition, the tool is customizable to specific needs, such as vaccinating gilts and sows, piglets or the entire herd. Users can also explore a variety of questions, including which clinical signs and co-infections might be present in their herd.
After users answer a short round of multiple-choice questions, the PCV2 Decision Tree generates a recommended protocol, which includes health factors to evaluate ahead of making any changes.
Co-infections are especially important to consider when looking to improve management programs, the company pointed out in a release.
Recent research stemming from a Boehringer Ingelheim research platform — Dynamic Pig Health — evaluated the compounding effects of PCV2, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Lawsonia intracellularis co-infection on mortality. Among PRRSV-infected pigs, significant interaction between Lawsonia and PCV2 was found to impact mortality. Read more here.
“When it comes to PCV2, one of the greatest tools we have outside of vaccination and biosecurity is knowledge,” Waddell said. “Whether or not a producer or their veterinarian chooses to implement changes to their current protocol based on the recommendations is up to them, but we hope they can use the PCV2 Decision Tree as another tool in their toolbox, to gain a better understanding of the unique disease challenges in their operation and improve their overall PCVAD management approach.”
Learn more at pcvadprotection.com.
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