The Effect of a Central Nervous Stimulant on the Development of Oedema Disease in Pigs after Challenge with Escherichia coli verotoxin-2e

November 29, 2006 — P.G.Y. Friendship and G. Bilkei

The objective of the trial was to determine the effect of a central nervous stimulant on the development of oedema disease in weaned pigs after challenge with Escherichia coli verotoxin 2-e (VT2-e).

In a large pig production unit, two litters of weaned pigs (n=19 piglets) were selected for the study and treated as follows:

Group one (n=10): 25 µg of VTe-2 toxin were given intravenously. After the first signs of palpebral oedema (4 hours after the application of Vte-2 toxin) the weaners were treated with amphetamine hydrochloride (1mg/kg body weight) via stomach tube.

Group two (n=9): 25 µg of Vte-2 toxin were given intravenously. The animals received no treatment.

Clinical signs typical for oedema disease, mortality and gross pathological changes were evaluated. All piglets were euthanized on day 4 post-inoculation

Less diarrhoea, laboured breathing, dyspnoea, ataxia and incoordination were diagnosed in (P<.05) amphetamine treated pigs, compared to the untreated control. Spasm (P=.169) and mental confusion were not different between the groups. All pigs died within 4 days in the control group, but none of them died in the treated group.

Source:
The Pig Journal (2006) 58, 13-19

[Ed. The Pig Journal Volume 58 will be released in December, 2006. Subscription information is available at The Pig Journal website.]