Effect of Avilamycin on Diarrhea and Growth in Nursery Pigs
Author Information
Author(s): Sarah A. Weiland, Petra L. Chang, Chris L. Puls, Robert W. Evelsizer, Scott N. Carr, Brent Frederick, Sara Ebarb, Matt J. Ritter
Primary Institution: Elanco Animal Health
Hypothesis
Does avilamycin reduce diarrhea and improve growth performance in nursery pigs infected with pathogenic E. coli?
Conclusion
Feeding avilamycin improves feed conversion and reduces diarrhea severity in nursery pigs infected with E. coli.
Supporting Evidence
- Feeding avilamycin for 21 days reduced diarrhea severity compared to controls.
- Double stocking increased diarrhea incidence and severity.
- Overall feed conversion was improved for pigs fed avilamycin compared to carbadox.
- Longer feeding of avilamycin showed greater benefits in performance.
- Diarrhea scores were lower for pigs fed avilamycin compared to controls.
- Feeding medication resulted in lower maximum diarrhea scores compared to nonmedicated controls.
- Double stocking resulted in lower overall ADFI and improved G:F compared to single stocking.
- Overall morbidity and mortality were lower in single-stocked pens.
Takeaway
This study shows that giving a medicine called avilamycin to young pigs helps them not get sick and grow better, even when they have a bad germ called E. coli.
Methodology
The study used a 2×4 factorial design with 3,329 pigs, comparing different stocking densities and medication programs over 56 days.
Potential Biases
The evaluator was not blinded to medication treatments.
Limitations
The study did not evaluate stress or disease pressure directly.
Participant Demographics
Commercial crossbred barrows and gilts, approximately 21 days old at the start.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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