Pigs: Internal Parasites
Internal parasites in swine are of great concern to livestock producers. Parasites can cause great economic loss due to decreased feed efficiency, increased time to market, and decreased carcass value.
Parasites may be found in the stomach, intestinal tract and lungs of a pig. These worms can interfere with nutrient absorption and feed intake. Internal parasites can cause poor digestion, ulcers, lack of appetite and even blood loss. Worms found in the lungs can interfere with respiration and cause pneumonia. A study in the United States estimated that nearly $155 million was lost due to the effects of lower feed conversion caused by Ascarid infections.
The most common parasites affecting a pig are ascarids or round worms. In fact, most pigs experience Ascaris infections. These worms are numerous in the small intestines of pigs 2-3 months old. Sows often act as hosts, they are not necessarily affected by the worms but instead act as carriers.
A female roundworm lays thousands of eggs per day. These eggs are very resistant to cold and disinfectants however they may be killed high-pressure steam or sunlight. Roundworm eggs have the ability to survive for more than 10 years! They are often transported by cockroaches, beetles, flies, birds and workers’ boots and clothing due to their sticky nature. After exiting an infected pig through its feces, the eggs can begin to infect other swine after one month. An infection occurs when another pig ingests the eggs and they hatch in the stomach or small intestine. From here the eggs hatch and the larvae penetrate the inner walls of a pig’s gut where they are carried to the liver via the bloodstream. Once in the liver, the larvae travel for approximately a week until they are taken once again through the blood stream to the lungs. After this, the larvae are coughed up into the mouth and swallowed. Once swallowed, they return to the small intestine where they grow and mature for two months then begin to lay eggs, continuing the cycle. No sign of eggs in the feces of a pig may be observed until they are 1 ½ to 2 months old however immature adult worms may be visible in the feces. You may be able to observe other signs of infection in your pigs before you are able to spot the worms.
Parasites in Goats
Parasites continue to be an important concern for goat farmers and producers. These parasites can cause economic and production losses and even serious illness and death in goats. In fact, internal parasites are recognized as a common disease among goats.
An infected goat may show symptoms and become lethargic, have diarrhea, lose weight or barely be able to maintain their weight. However these signs can easily go unnoticed, posing a serious threat to the health and safety of your animal.
Internal parasites infect the gastrointestinal tract, liver, lungs, blood system, lymphatic system, and skin of a goat.
Parasites are present in almost every herd in the United States. The most common parasites that infect these herds are barber pole worms, round worms, stomach worms, Cooper’s worms, wire worms, hookworms, threadworms, whipworms, and nodular worms, lung worms and meningeal or brain worm.
