Lending an ear 👂

🐷 Porcine ear necrosis (PEN) – small lesions around the tip of the ears of pigs, which either slowly heal or progress to larger, necrotic lesions  – continues to be an issue in US swine production systems, with sporadic outbreaks, especially in nursery pigs. Although it has been reported that performance is typically unaffected, PEN enhances the risk of secondary infections and as such, may potentially lead to increases in mortality and morbidity.

💡 Since it’s a multifactorial problem, here’s what you can do to help reduce PEN: minimizing pathogenic infections (particularly Staphylococcus); avoiding high-stocking densities, consistently inspecting ventilation and air quality, along with ensuring adequate access to good-quality feed and water; using a stimbiotic that stimulates fiber fermentation. Among many benefits, a stimbiotic can help reduce inflammation, which in turn may be beneficial to reducing the incidence of PEN.

    • The use of a stimbiotic by AB Vista, Signis, was tested in three commercial evaluations in over 100,000 pigs affected by PEN. The results? Pigs fed Signis had increased fiber fermentation and approximately a 20% reduction in the incidence of ear necrosis. Learn more about Signis by clicking here.