TROUBLE WITH PIGS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 21 February 1931, Page 11

TROUBLE WITH PIGS

WORM INFESTATION. I If a pig is out of condition, with arched back, dull eye and general un-

(thrifty appearance, it is fairly safe to assume worm trouble. A bulletin issued by the Ohio Experiment Station throws a good deal of doubt on many familiar specifies commonly used as remedies. Experiments were directed mostly toward ascaris snura (round worm) a common parasite of the small' intestine of the pig, but observations were made of the effect of specifies on other parasites of the alimentarv tract.

Until recently the damage accredited to ascaris suum had been limited to digestive organs, for the adult worms live unattached in the small intestine. Recent investigations, however, indicate that the larval forms may develop in various organs and tissues outside of the digestive tract, thus acting as foreign bodies, and occasioning injury. This worm is probably the cause of numerous troubles that affect young pigs. The result of experiments made showed that simple purgatives have little value in removing worms. The number removed by them is very small compared with the total number present. Santonin was Ihirly effective, and was more efficacious in repeated doses of five grains on alternate days. The santonin was administered in'half the regular feed in the evening of the first day, no feed being given in the morning. The next day one feed only was given, and in the morning. On the third day live grains stanonin were (given in half the regular morning feed,, followed by half a teaspoonful of salts in regular feed in the evenyig. The most effective remedy, however, wats oil of elienopodium. To get the best results it must be administered to each pig separately, preceded by a fast. A device for holding the mouth open and a dosing syringe are considered advisable tools to use. In the evening lVoz. Epsom salts wqj’e given ill feed. Next day no feed was given, ami in the evening live cubic centimetres of elienopodium with 30 cubic centimetres of castor oil were administered While mineral mix±ures__were not found effective in getting rid of worms, their value for digestive purposes is not questioned: