Management of exudative epidermitis (greasy pig disease) in 4 week old piglets

Abstract

An outbreak of dermatological disease in piglets from backyard piggery in Makurdi Benue State, Nigeria was investigated and detected to be “Greasy pig disease” which was also confirmed by bacteriological identification of the etiology as Staphylococcus hyicus. The disease is characterized by exudative inflammation of the epidermis in pigs. The natural infection and characteristic lesions were observed in the piglets which include; abscess that varied from small nodular type to deep intramuscular containing pus, ulcerative-crusted skin lesion on the cheek region, emaciation and general weakness. From the 16 piglets in the farm, 10 piglets were found to present signs typical to the disease, and the bacterium was identified from 7 piglets out of the 10 clinical cases. The causative agent S. hyicuswas was identified by bacterial culture. Based on antibiotic disc sensitivity test, the organism was sensitive to rifampin, levafloxacin, ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin and was resistant to amoxycillin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol and ampicillin. Key words: Management, exudative, epidermitis, piglets and Staphylococcus hyicus.