A large southern Illinois pork producer learned that BMD® could help optimize his productivity by controlling HBS.

The operation had historically experienced problems with HBS during the summer when the pigs got to about 180 lb body weight and the temperature was high.

The producer recently introduced a program pulsing BMD at 250 g/t when the pigs reach about 160 pounds. As a result, his problems with HBS were prevented and the costly losses of high-value, heavy-weight hogs ceased, immediately elevating the profitability of the operation.

Hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) is an unpredictable medical condition of swine. Its major cause is unknown but is likely a combination of many things, including genetic predisposition, irregular diets or feeding schedules, and high summer temperatures.

HBS most often occurs in finisher/market pigs over 160 lb, so the economic costs of HBS can be very high with even a few affected pigs even though mortality is usually around 2% (but can be higher). An affected pig is typically one of the best-doing pigs, found dead without warning. The hog may become bloated after death with unusual speed, and intestines filled with gas and blood may be observed at necropsy. The condition has no definitive lesions, and the stomach can often be filled with feed. Outbreaks may last 7 to 10 days, often coming in waves in which several pigs are affected and then the herd seems healthy until the next wave.

BMD® and 3-Nitro® are approved as a treatment for related diseases such as swine dysentery in grower/finisher pigs and clostridial enteritis. Studies have shown that treatment with BMD and chlortetracycline (Aureomycin®, ChlorMax®) can be effective in controlling HBS. The history of each farm is also very important in developing treatment and prevention strategies to help control HBS. BMD can be included in the feed during historically problematic intervals of the life cycle or in hot summer months to help prevent HBS.

Related articles:

• HBS mortality factors: Straw et al., 2002 (PDF)