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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.
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.
Average Daily Gain (g)
144 total weaned pigs. Source: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Feed Efficiency
144 total weaned pigs. Source: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Feed Efficiency
327 total piglets. Source: Commercial Farm B, Jalisco, Mexico.
Gain (kg)
327 total piglets. Source: Commercial Farm B, Jalisco, Mexico.
Feed Efficiency
120 total piglets. Source: Commercial Farm A, Jalisco, Mexico.
Gain (kg)
120 total piglets. Source: Commercial Farm A, Jalisco, Mexico.
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.
Plasma Endotoxin
(LPS, % vs. Control)
180 total pigs. Source: Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan, China.
Fecal Score (0-5)
80 total piglets. Source: Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China.
Fecal Bacterial Populations, D28
80 total piglets. Source: Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
Incidence of Diarrhea
36 total weaned pigs. Source: University of California, Davis, CA.
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.
Learn More About Post-Weaning Diarrhea by Contacting Your Nearest Amlan Rep 
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