Clostridium Diarrhoea 

Diarrhoea in piglets is an annoying phenomenon in the farrowing pen. It can have various causes, including the persistent Clostridium bacteria. 

Clostridium perfringens type A causes the aqueous to viscous yellowish diarrhoea in newborn piglets. The piglets dry out and can therefore die.

Clostridium perfringens type C occurs in young piglets and causes diarrhoea with blood. The diarrhea may consist of all colours and in acute cases it gives a red bloody colour. Young piglets may die acutely.

Clostridium dificille can cause watery diarrhoea in suckling piglets.

Piglets take Clostridium bacteria or spores of the bacterium in through the mouth. The bacterium is found in the dung of the sow. Clostridium is a very persistent bacterium that produces spores that can survive long in the environment. Spores can, even after cleaning and disinfection, are present in the area.

Type A is less harmful, and no bleeding occurs in the intestine. The damage caused by an infection with C. perfringens type A is often limited to moisture loss and sometimes poor thrive. The piglets usually display symptoms of poor growth rates.

Type C produces a number of toxins. These are held responsible for the damage that occurs in the gut causing damage to the intestinal wall which can lead to bleeding and blood comes out in the manure. A C. perfringens type C infection manifests itself in an increased loss of piglets. Piglets that survive the infection remain stunted and have poor growth rates. In addition, the treatment costs of sick piglets is expensive and time consuming.

C. dificille also represents various toxins in the gut of the piglet. These toxins cause loss of fluid, especially in the intestine.The damage by C. dificille is caused to the bowel which is greater than C. perfringens type A, but less severe than in type C.

The use of antibiotics at birth to avoid problems can backfire. By giving antibiotics, the intestinal flora of the sow and / or piglet can cause massive disruption and gives the Clostridium bacteria the chance to develop. It is better to focus on preventive measures such as hygiene and supporting intestinal health.

Clostridium perfringens are very persistent and  remain infectious in the environment for a long time. Therefore Ensure proper hygiene in the farrowing pen. Consider also materials such as food bowls, throw mats, floating baffles, etc. Infection of piglets occurs from manure or fertilizer remains of older pigs or bacterial spores from the environment.

Iomlán  has a special concept developed for reducing the infection pressure in the sheds. The concept consists of three steps to ensure that piglets after birth are not infected with Clostridium.

1. Cleaning with enzymes removes stubborn dirt. Glanzym can be used to wash sows. Glanzym can be used to foam the pens and all gates and objects.
   Product:  Glanzym  
2. With high levels of infection, it is important to thoroughly disinfect in order to kill as many bacteria Clostridium.
3. In order to keep the infection pressure low use probiotics in the farrowing pen. In a natural way the probiotics will compete with pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridium.  
   Spraying probiotics during and around the pen means that piglets are more likely to become 'infected' with good bacteria instead of Clostridium. 
   Product:  Dominate Liquid