The effect of organic acids on the control of post-weaning oedema disease of piglets

Oedema disease usually occurs after weaning and is due to infection with En terotoxaemic Escherichia coli strains. A total of 240 weaned piglets were u sed in five groups during a 28-day period. One group (a negative control) w as offered feed free of antimicrobials ad libitum, three groups were offere d the same diet ad libitum supplemented with either 1.6 per cent lactic aci d, 1.5 per cent citric acid or 50 p.p.m. of enrofloxacin (ENR/Baytril (R) I .E.R. 2.5 per cent, Bayer), respectively. Finally, one group was offered th e same diet but the amount offered was restricted during the first 12 days post-weaning. Groups receiving acid or ENR additions to the diet had lower mortality than the negative control group (P < 0.05). The three groups on t reated feed also showed significantly better growth performance and food co nversion ratio than the control group (P < 0.05). Both organic acids and me dication with 50 p.p.m. of ENR for a 10-day period are useful in controllin g and/or preventing post-weaning oedema disease. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishe rs Ltd.