Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets

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Post-Weaning Diarrhea Can Cause Significant Economic Loss for the Lifetime of the Pig

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Weaning Can Cause a Fallback Effect on Performance

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Enterotoxigenic E. coli Is a Common Cause of Post-Weaning Diarrhea

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Clostridioides difficile Is Another Cause of Neonatal Diarrhea

Weaning is a stressful time for piglets, and unfortunately, this stress can contribute to intestinal and immune dysfunctions, like post-weaning diarrhea, that can stunt growth throughout a pig’s lifetime.

Bacterial pathogens.

The Bacterial Pathogens and Toxins of Post-Weaning Diarrhea

Multiple E. coli strains produce potent exotoxins that are a major cause of enteric disease, particularly in neonatal and recently weaned animals. The exotoxins can damage the intestinal lining, causing diarrhea, dehydration and even death.

  • Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) produces heat-labile enterotoxin (LT)
  • Clostridioides difficile (formerly known as Clostridium difficile) produces two major exotoxins: toxin A (TcdA) and toxin B (TcdB).

Antibiotic-Free Management Practices

With the global push toward antibiotic-free production, maintaining a healthy intestinal environment in weaned piglets now requires proactive management strategies to reduce the risk of disease from pathogens like E. coli and C. difficile. Tight biosecurity, effective sanitation, good husbandry practices and natural feed additives that enhance the intestinal environment can all help control the risk of post-weaning diarrhea.

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A Natural Mineral-Based Solution for Post-Weaning Diarrhea

To help piglets naturally defend against pathogens and prime the intestinal environment for a lifetime of productivity, Amlan International offers NeoPrime®. A patented, mineral-based product, NeoPrime counteracts the potential performance fallback effect of weaning by reducing the level of pathogenic challenge, energizing intestinal barrier cells, and stimulating the innate and adaptive immune systems.

NeoPrime Reduces Plasma Endotoxin Concentration

The positive effects of NeoPrime on biotoxin control and intestinal integrity were assessed in a third-party study by analyzing the blood plasma endotoxin concentration of weanling pigs. Compared to a control that had two antibiotics and zinc oxide, NeoPrime reduced plasma endotoxin concentration at day 14 and day 35.

NeutraPath® Reduces the Incidence of Diarrhea

NeutraPath, our natural pathogen control for antibiotic-free production, can be co-fed with NeoPrime to reduce the pathogen and bacterial toxin load and prime the immune system.

Calibrin-Z.

Broad-Spectrum Biotoxin Binder

Another Amlan Product That Can Help Reduce Post-Weaning Diarrhea

In high-challenge environments, Calibrin®-Z can be used with NeoPrime to further help bind mycotoxins, pathogens and bacterial toxins in the intestinal lumen.

Proven Natural Solutions for Weaned Piglet Intestinal Health

Independent studies have shown that NeoPrime can improve the intestinal health of weaned piglets and keep performance levels similar to diets containing antibiotics and zinc oxide.

Effects of a blend of essential oils, medium-chain fatty acids, and a toxin-adsorbing mineral on diarrhea and gut microbiome of weanling pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic Escherichia coli
Effects of replacing zinc oxide and antibiotics with NeoPrime® on growth performance and plasma and fecal endotoxin concentration in nursery pigs
Learn More About Post-Weaning Diarrhea by Contacting Your Nearest Amlan Rep
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