Vets differ in opinion over hog disease
TAYUG–The disease called Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) that has infected some pigs in Pangasinan has yet to be fully contained and still two veterinarians have expressed opposing views about it.
Dr. Rodolfo Custodio, president of the National Federation of Hog Farmers in Pangasinan and the association’s national director, maintains PRRS is curable and does not pose any serious injury on the animals.
On the other hand, Dr. Abraham de Asis, a practicing veterinarian of more than 12 years, said hogs afflicted with PRRS, which he called a pig disease with swine flu-like symptoms, have less chances of survival.
Custodio, a former executive director of the National Meat and Inspection Commission, said PRRS is a self-limiting hog disease and the afflicted pigs can recover after seven days if given proper medicines.
“Unless there is complication, the most serious of which is the Pastorella multi-side, tagged as the most common cause of hemorrhagic septicemia or high fever, the pig can recover,” Custodio said.
De Asis did not volunteer his impression about it.
Custodio also noted that most pigs that normally get infected with PRRS are those raised in backyards and not in major farm houses and pointed out that farm owners give their animals hog feeds mixed with medicines routinely.
On this score, De Asis agrees that the disease can be prevented as long as the backyard raisers will adopt the necessary health measures.
Both De Asis and Custodio also agree that sick pigs should not be butchered and sold as meat because this will make it difficult to contain PRRS.
Custodio cited as his own farm in Tayug an example where he claims none of the pigs have been infected by PRRS because his swine are well protected by proper hygiene and get regular vaccination.
Custodio and his wife Myrna, also a veterinarian, operate other piggeries in Zambales.
De Asis admitted that PRRS is now prevalent in several areas in Pangasinan as evidenced by the number of requests he had been getting for assistance from backyard owners.
To forestall an epidemic, Custodio recommended that the government provides ready financial assistance to backyard raisers whose pigs had been stricken by PRRS to prevent them from selling these in the market to recoup losses.—LM
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