In utero transmission of Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease (PCV2) is more common than we might think, and vaccinations can make a world of difference to lower those transmissions from sows to their unborn piglets. That was the message veterinarians at the at the Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica (BIVI) Swine Health Seminar heard in San Diego. Dr. Darin Madson, Assistant Professor of Pathology with the Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, gave a talk titled “From Uterus to Fetus: PCV2 Unstable Sow Herds,” and said that while it might not show clinical signs in utero, it can cause problems downstream.
He said that in non-vaccinated herds, 17-71 percent of in utero piglets or piglets being weaned are infected. Vaccination drops that dramatically. “Repeat the same study, and you’ve got from less than 1 percent to 20 percent of the pigs being born actually are infected,” Darin said.
He went on to say that producers need to consider the primary effects of the vaccination, that the sows themselves won’t get the disease, and the secondary effects, the impacts on production, more stability and increased immunity to PCV2. “Which would include decreased sow mortality, decreased wean to service intervals, and even decreased piglet mortality and increased weaning weights.”
Listen to Cindy’s interview with Darin here: Interview with Dr. Darin Madson Iowa State