ACUTE NONFATAL ERYSIPELAS IN SOWS IN A COMMERCIAL FARROW-TO-FINISH OPERATION

Acute nonfatal erysipelas was diagnosed in 4 sows in a 1,000-sow comme rcial farrow-to-finish operation in Indiana. Sows were pyrexic, lethar gic, lame, and had multiple, 1.3- to 7.6-cm, erythematous rhomboid ski n lesions. Outbreak was attributed to failure to properly vaccinate pi gs. Further morbidity and mortality were prevented by treatment of cli nically affected sows and all pigs in close proximity with procaine pe nicillin G daily for 3 consecutive days and vaccination of all pigs wi th questionable vaccination status, using bacterin of killed Erysipelo thrix rhusiopathiae. Periodic review of herd management protocols is i mportant to ensure that recommended vaccination schedules are being fo llowed and animals are receiving quality vaccinations. Human error can contribute to many production problems and should be included on the differential diagnoses list.