Understanding the causes of diarrhea in piglets after
Weaning
Diarrhea in piglets during weaning is mainly caused by several interrelated factors. One of the main factors is the sudden change in diet when piglets switch from sow’s milk to solid feed. This change can disrupt the intestinal microbiota, leading to digestive disorders and diarrhea (Pluske, 2013). In addition, the weaning period often coincides with a decline in maternal immunity, making piglets more susceptible to digestive disorders. Environmental stress factors such as inappropriate temperature and poor hygiene in the farm can also exacerbate these conditions, increasing the risk of diarrhea (Lalles et al., 2007). Finally, certain pathogens, including Escherichia coli, may play a direct role in causing serious intestinal problems during piglet weaning (Fairbrother et al., 2005).
The impact of diarrhea during
Weaning on piglets
Diarrhea can start a few days after weaning. It has a significant impact on the well-being of piglets and has economic consequences. Piglets with diarrhea become dehydrated, lose weight, and suffer from discomfort, which can lead to increased mortality rates. The financial consequences for farmers include losses due to mortality, veterinary treatment costs, and the need for additional labor to manage sick piglets (Vondruskova et al., 2010). Diarrhea can also lead to longer weaning to slaughter times due to reduced growth, which increases the cost per kg of growth and decreases production efficiency (Heo et al., 2013).
The importance of preventing diarrhea in piglets after weaning for
Health and performances
Ensuring good gut health from the earliest stages of life can lead to better growth, improved feed conversion ratios, and better overall health, enabling piglets to reach their full genetic potential. In addition, reducing antibiotic use in piglet health management is part of global efforts to mitigate antimicrobial resistance and promote more sustainable pig production (Liu et al., 2012). To optimize prevention strategies, it is essential to understand the causes of post-weaning diarrhea and adopt comprehensive herd health management practices. The integration of nutritional solutions into the diet, such as natural feed additives, is an effective mean of prevention.
Specific pectic oligosaccharides have the ability to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus in weaned piglets.
This modulation of the intestinal microbiota improves digestive health and reduces the risk of post-weaning diarrhea. Supplemented piglets thus show better growth performance (Cisse et al., 2020).