Swine dysentery - trial data

Swine dysentery is caused by the spirochaete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and anaerobes such as Fusobacterium spp and Bacteroides spp have been shown to contribute to the gut lesions. All the above organisms are usually sensitive to tiamulin.
 

Studies reported by O'Connor, J.J. and others (1979) [?] demonstrated the productivity benefits conferred by the administration of Tiamutin® premix at prevention/control levels to pigs artificially infected with B. hyodysenteriae.
 

In a trial lasting 47 days 6 groups of 6 weaned pigs per group were divided as follows
 

1. No infection
   no treatment
2. Tiamutin in feed
   27.5 ppm thf
3. Tiamutin in feed
   33.0 ppm thf
4. Tiamutin in feed
   38.5 ppm thf
5. Positive control
   27.5 ppm virginiamycin
6. Infected
   No treatment

The Tiamutin premix medicated infected groups thus showed improvements in daily gain between 30.7% and 47.5% compared to the infected, unmedicated control pigs.
 

In a further study O'Connor, J.J. and others (1979) [?] reported on the comparative productivity of healthy weanling pigs receiving either Tiamutin® premix (33 ppm thf) or tylosin +
sulphadimidine (11 ppm + 11ppm).

 

Thus the growing healthy pigs receiving Tiamutin® premix at 33 ppm thf for 8 weeks were also shown to have significant weight gains compared to unmedicated controls.
 

Poor growth performances, unthriftiness and loss of homogeneity in batches of growing/finishing pigs have been associated not only with enteric conditions such as ileitis, colitis and swine dysentery but also with M. hyopneumoniae infection (Enzootic pneumonia).