Glässer’s disease in pigs - Symptoms, effective treatment regimen

Glässer’s disease in pigs, also known as polyserositis caused by bacteria, seriously affects the respiratory system, heart, brain, and joints of pigs. Join Vemedim to learn about the causes, recognizable signs, preventive measures, and effective treatment regimen below, helping minimize losses in livestock production.

General introduction to Glässer’s disease in pigs and its causes

Polyserositis, also known as Glasser’s disease, Glässer,... is a dangerous infectious disease in pigs caused by the bacterium Haemophilus parasuis. This disease is commonly seen in intensive pig farms, especially in piglets 4-8 weeks old when the immune system is not yet fully developed.

The disease causes inflammation of the meninges, pleura, pericardium, and joints, making pigs difficult to move and causing rapid death if not treated early. Glässer not only reduces productivity but also causes severe economic losses for farmers due to high mortality and treatment costs.

Polyserositis in pigs originates from the bacterium Haemophilus parasuis - a gram-negative coccus that normally resides in the upper respiratory tract of healthy pigs. When pigs become immunocompromised or encounter stress factors such as weather changes, relocation, weaning, or underlying diseases, this bacterium becomes active, enters the bloodstream, and spreads to important organs: the pericardium, meninges, pleura, and joints.

*Glässer’s disease in pigs* *is a dangerous infectious disease caused by the bacterium Haemophilus parasuis*

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Symptoms of Glässer’s disease in pigs

The symptoms of Glässer’s disease are quite typical and can be divided into two main clinical forms: acute and chronic, each with different levels of impact:

Acute form

This is the most common form, especially in weaned piglets, with the following symptoms:

Affected pigs have a high fever of 40-41°C, stop eating, tremble, breathe rapidly, have bluish extremities, and a short cough lasting 2-3 hours.
When the joints are palpated, they may feel hot, swollen, and painful; pigs have difficulty walking or lie in one place.
In many cases, the bacteria rapidly attack the pericardium and pleura, causing fibrinous suppurative inflammation and sudden death, especially when PRRS or swine flu is also present.

Chronic form

Pigs with the chronic form often grow slowly, are weak and thin, eat poorly, have rough hair coats, and pale skin.
The joints still show mild inflammation, causing the pigs to limp.
The disease progresses slowly, with an infection rate of 10-15%, but it is difficult to treat completely.

Recovered pigs are often stunted and show a clear decline in productivity. In many cases, affected animals must be culled to prevent spread.

*Pigs with Glässer’s disease often stop eating, tremble, breathe rapidly, have fever, and swollen, hot, painful joints,...*

Diagnosis and treatment of Glässer’s disease in pigs

To make an accurate diagnosis, veterinarians need to combine clinical diagnosis with laboratory testing:

Clinical observation: high fever, trembling, difficulty breathing, swollen joints, bluish limbs.
Histopathological examination: fibrin found in the pericardium, pleura, and peritoneum.
Bacterial isolation: PCR, ELISA, or culture methods are used to identify H. parasuis.

After accurately diagnosing the disease, the treatment regimen should combine antibiotics - anti-inflammatory drugs - supportive therapy, while also supplementing digestive enzymes to restore the intestinal microbiota. Specifically, the following regimens should be used:

Specific antibiotics:

Use antibiotics that are highly effective against H. parasuis such as Amoxicillin, Ceftiofur, Tulathromycin, Penicillin + Streptomycin, or Cefalexin. Inject continuously for 2-3 days, strictly following the dosage instructions of the manufacturer.

Anti-inflammatory - fever-reducing:

Helps reduce joint swelling, relieve pain, and support pigs in resuming eating and drinking, such as Ketoprofen, Dexamethasone, Flunixin Meglumine.

Supportive care - electrolyte supplementation:

Inject GLUCO-K-C, Butaphosphan + B12, or VITAMIN C to enhance recovery, reduce stress, and lower mortality.

*After detecting Glässer’s disease, affected pigs should be isolated for treatment, combined with the veterinarian’s regimen*

Post-treatment support:

After stopping antibiotics, supplement digestive enzymes (SPOBIO MEN, MEN LACTIC) for 3-5 days to help stabilize the intestinal microbiota, improve nutrient absorption, and quickly restore body condition.

Prevention of polyserositis (Glasser) in pigs

Glässer’s disease is caused by bacteria, so proactive prevention is essential to limit losses. Farmers can apply the following methods:

Regular cleaning and disinfection with solutions such as Vemedim Altacid to eliminate pathogens.
Vaccinate on schedule, especially sows before farrowing to pass antibodies to piglets.
Reduce stress, improve housing conditions, and avoid sudden weather changes and overly high stocking density.
Boost resistance by supplementing digestive enzymes Celzym, Vemedim Bactozyme, and vitamin Vemedim Vime-Electrolyte to help pigs stay healthy and more disease-resistant.

*Proper prevention of Glässer’s disease helps reduce treatment costs and protect the herd safely and healthily*

Glässer’s disease in pigs is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in livestock production, capable of causing major economic losses if not detected and handled promptly. Early diagnosis, proper medication, and regular prevention are the keys to helping farmers protect a healthy herd. Accompanying Vemedim, farmers can feel assured about the quality of veterinary medicines, probiotics, and supportive products that help prevent and treat disease effectively, improve productivity, and ensure sustainable profits.