The Role of Natural Feed Supplements in the Management of Swine Diarrhea

Swine diarrhea, also referred to as pig diarrhea, is a common condition that can affect pigs at any stage of life, from piglets to adults. A healthy Gastro-Intestinal Tract (GIT) of pig performs various functions such as digestion, nutrient absorption, and regulation of intestinal barrier function. However, the GIT is a direct path for disease-causing organisms (pathogens) to enter the pig and cause disease. Swine diarrhea is the most apparent symptom of intestinal dysfunction. It is among the most important problems due to their negative effect on productivity and profitability in pig production. Estimated costs for pigs affected by diarrhea with a mortality of 10% can be as high as 134 € per pig per year, as per some estimates from the EU.

Diarrhea in pigs is of many types like neonatal diarrhea, post-weaning diarrhea, porcine epidemic diarrhea, swine dysentery, coccidiosis, salmonellosis, porcine proliferative enteropathy, and rotaviral diarrhea. 

Causes of pig diarrhea

• Parasites, such as coccidia, roundworms, and whipworms.
• Viral pathogens, like porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE), rotavirus types A, B, and C, and even porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS).
• Bacterial causes, such as E. coli, Salmonella, and, occasionally, Clostridium perfringens or C. difficile.
• The stress of weaning can often trigger an enteric challenge in the nursery, allowing these organisms to affect piglets negatively.

How do pigs get infected?

Pig diarrhea is majorly associated with the proliferation of enterotoxigenic pathogens in the pig’s intestine.

1. It starts with ingesting pathogens from the surroundings, followed by colonization in the jejunum and ileum of the pig's intestine.
2. It damages the intestinal villi, which leads to the loss of water, electrolyte, and nutrient absorption in the pig’s body.
3. It causes diarrhea, weight loss, and economic loss.

Cut off the use of antibiotics:

Historically, antibiotics as well as high doses of zinc oxide and copper sulfate have been commonly used to control diarrhea in pigs, but their contribution to the issue of antibiotic residues and/or antimicrobial resistance remains significant. As a result, the EU has banned the use of antibiotics in pigs. The high level of zinc oxide used to prevent and reduce the development of diarrhea can lead to toxicity in animals, and bioaccumulation. It may contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Due to the prohibition on the use of antibiotics, producers are turning towards natural alternatives.

Plant-based solutions are an effective natural alternative to antibiotics and can greatly prevent the harmful effects of antibiotics on pig health.

Roles of Phytoactive Ingredients

Using phytoactive ingredients reduces the occurrence of pig diarrhea by more than 30%

• Phytoactive Ingredients possess direct microbiocidal action and avoid the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the gut, during the colonization stage and stress disruptors. They do not kill the beneficial bacteria in the intestines
• They can stimulate the growth of favorable bacteria. This is associated with an improvement in digestive and immune functions.
• Some phytoactive molecules are able to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, leading to better feed use and a significant increase in growth.
• These natural components also stimulate the immune system, making the animals more resistant to diseases.

DIAHALT

DIAHALT is the mixture of appropriately selected herbs and their blends, which positively reduce diarrhea in pigs. It is a natural solution for pig diarrhea. The phytomolecules present in each herb help to treat diarrhea in pigs by stimulating the natural defence mechanism of the intestinal epithelium, without any side effects on the pig's health. They are responsible for the antidiarrheal activity, by increasing colonic water and electrolyte reabsorption and inhibiting intestinal motility. Natural fibres present in DIAHALT help relieve mild-to-moderate diarrhea. It soaks up a significant amount of water in the digestive tract, making stool firmer and slower to pass.

Pigs with healthy guts have healthier lives.

*References on request