Optimizing Swine Health: Your Comprehensive Guide To Pig Vaccination And Deworming Schedules

Josue Wiegand 13 Jul 2025

For any pig producer, the health and well-being of their swine herd are paramount. A robust health program not only ensures the welfare of the animals but also directly impacts productivity and profitability. At the core of such a program lies a well-structured vaccination and deworming calendar. This isn't just about preventing sickness; it's about fostering a thriving environment where pigs can reach their full potential.

This article delves into the essential aspects of pig vaccination and deworming, drawing insights from veterinary recommendations and established practices, such as those highlighted by institutions like the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (FCV) of UNNE. We'll explore why these protocols are critical, what diseases they target, and how to implement a schedule tailored to your farm's unique needs.

Why Vaccination and Deworming Are Crucial for Your Swine Herd

Implementing a rigorous health calendar for your pigs offers a multitude of benefits, extending far beyond simply avoiding immediate disease outbreaks.

Preventing Disease Outbreaks

Vaccination is the cornerstone of disease prevention in swine. By introducing specific antigens, vaccines stimulate the pig's immune system to build a robust defense against future infections. This proactive approach is vital because, as noted, an immune response typically takes time to develop once antigens of infection are presented. A well-vaccinated herd is less susceptible to common and devastating pig diseases, including:

Classical Swine Fever (Peste Porcina) and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Fiebre Aftosa): Highly contagious and economically devastating diseases.
Erysipelas (Mal Rojo): A bacterial disease that can cause sudden death, skin lesions, and arthritis.
Parvovirus: A common cause of reproductive failure in sows.
Leptospira: Another bacterial infection leading to reproductive problems.
Mycoplasmosis Porcina and Enzootic Pneumonia: Respiratory diseases that significantly impact growth and feed efficiency.
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP): A severe respiratory disease causing sudden death and chronic lung lesions.
Atrophic Rhinitis: A bacterial disease affecting the nasal passages, leading to distorted snouts and poor growth.
Neonatal Diarrhea: A major cause of mortality in young piglets.
Salmonellosis: A bacterial infection causing diarrhea and systemic disease.

Mass vaccination procedures have become necessary to control these widespread issues, underscoring the importance of knowing when and how many doses a pig needs.

Boosting Productivity and Profitability

Healthy pigs are productive pigs. Parasitic infestations, both internal and external, can severely hinder a pig's growth and overall health. The presence of parasites significantly decreases weight gain, leading to longer finishing times and increased feed costs. By effectively deworming, producers ensure that nutrients are utilized for growth and development rather than feeding parasites. Similarly, preventing diseases through vaccination means fewer sick animals, reduced veterinary treatment expenses, and better feed conversion ratios, all contributing to a healthier bottom line.

Ensuring Biosecurity and Herd Health

A comprehensive health program is also a critical component of biosecurity. Preventing the spread of pathogens within a farm is essential. For instance, precautions must be taken to ensure that each group of pigs, such as Isowean groups, is not contaminated by pigs from other groups. This isolation helps contain potential outbreaks. Furthermore, strategic vaccination and deworming of breeding animals help prevent them from becoming a source of contagion for vulnerable piglets, protecting the youngest and most susceptible members of the herd.

Understanding the Pig Vaccination Calendar: A Stage-by-Stage Approach

While there are general guidelines, it's crucial to understand that a pig vaccination calendar is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Its effectiveness relies on careful customization.

General Principles of Pig Vaccination

The provided information explicitly states: "NOTE: This vaccination calendar may vary according to the recommendation of the veterinary doctor of each farm." This flexibility is paramount. The producer must adjust the vaccination plan to the needs of the area and, above all, to the specific needs of the production unit. Factors such as regional disease prevalence, farm history, management practices, and even the type of production system (e.g., intensive) will influence the final schedule. Therefore, the question of "When should a pig receive the appropriate vaccine? How many doses does it need? Why?" can only be fully answered in consultation with a qualified veterinarian who can elaborate the program.

Many vaccines require multiple doses to achieve full immunity. For example, some vaccinations require a repeat dose 3-4 weeks after the initial one. It's also important to remember that immunity doesn't develop instantly after injection; there's typically a delay as the immune system builds its response.

Vaccination Schedules by Pig Category

A well-designed vaccination plan considers the different life stages of pigs, as their susceptibility to diseases and their roles in the production cycle vary.

Breeding Sows (Cerdas de Cría) and Replacement Gilts/Boars (Cerdas y Reproductores de Reemplazo)

These animals are central to the farm's productivity, and their health directly impacts the next generation. Vaccination for reproductive diseases is key:

Parvovirus: Typically administered at 5-6 months of age, with a repeat dose in 3-4 weeks. For breeding, it's recommended 3-8 weeks before breeding.
Erysipelas: Often given 3 weeks before farrowing or every 6 months.
Leptospira: Often part of the breeding herd vaccination protocol.
Neonatal Diarrhea and Enzootic Pneumonia: If there are problems with diarrhea or respiratory diseases on the farm, it's advised to vaccinate sows 3 weeks prior to farrowing to pass on passive immunity to piglets.
General Maintenance: Many breeding herd vaccinations are on a semiannual or annual basis to maintain consistent immunity.

Breeding Boars (Machos Reproductores)

Boars also require regular vaccination to prevent them from becoming carriers of diseases that could affect the breeding herd. Their schedule often mirrors that of sows for diseases like Erysipelas (e.g., semiannually).

Piglets (Lechones)

Newborn piglets initially receive passive immunity from their mothers through colostrum. As this maternal immunity wanes, they become susceptible and require their own vaccinations. The timing of their first shots depends on the specific disease challenge and the farm's protocol.

Growing & Finishing Pigs (Recría y Terminación)

These pigs are typically vaccinated against diseases that affect growth performance and respiratory health:

Mycoplasmosis Porcina: Often vaccinated at 8-12 weeks of age, with a repeat dose 3-4 weeks later.
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP): Similar to Mycoplasmosis, typically administered at 8-12 weeks of age, with a repeat dose 3-4 weeks later.
Erysipelas: If not already covered by maternal immunity or earlier protocols, vaccination at 8-12 weeks of age, repeated 3-4 weeks later.
Other diseases: Depending on regional prevalence and farm history, vaccinations for Salmonellosis, Atrophic Rhinitis, etc., may be included.

Common Pig Diseases and Recommended Antigens

A comprehensive vaccination plan will address a range of diseases. The document highlights vaccines against:

Fiebre Aftosa (Foot-and-Mouth Disease)
Peste Porcina (Classical Swine Fever)
Rinitis Atrófica (Atrophic Rhinitis)
Parvovirus
Leptospira
Erisipela (Erysipelas)
Enfermedad de Aujeszky (Aujeszky's Disease - though not explicitly in all provided snippets, often part of comprehensive lists)
Mycoplasmosis Porcina
Neumonía (Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae)
Diarrea Neonatal
Neumonía Enzootica
Salmonelosis

Each vaccine contains specific antigens designed to elicit an immune response against the target pathogen.

The Essential Deworming Protocol for Swine

Why Deworming is Non-Negotiable

Parasites, both internal (worms) and external (lice, mites), are a constant threat to pig health and productivity. As previously mentioned, their presence directly diminishes weight gain and overall performance. A robust deworming program is therefore as critical as vaccination for maintaining a healthy and profitable herd.

Deworming Schedule and Practices

The deworming schedule will also vary based on the farm's specific challenges and management system (e.g., intensive production). The document presents a deworming calendar detailing common parasites, the drugs used, and their dosages for different categories. For instance:

Growing & Finishing Pigs: External antiparasitics are advised at 60 and 120 days of life in the rearing and finishing categories.
Breeding Stock: Regular deworming of sows and boars is crucial to reduce the environmental parasite load and prevent the transmission of internal parasites to piglets.

The specific antiparasitics and their application methods (e.g., injection, feed additive) should be determined by a veterinarian based on parasite identification and drug resistance considerations.

Key Considerations for a Successful Swine Health Program

Beyond the specific vaccines and dewormers, several overarching principles contribute to the success of your swine health program:

Veterinary Guidance is Indispensable: The producer must adjust the vaccination plan to the needs of the area and, above all, to the needs of the production unit. This highlights that a qualified veterinarian is the one who "MUST elaborate the program" for vaccination, deworming, and other veterinary treatments. Their expertise ensures the program is scientifically sound and adapted to your farm's unique epidemiological situation.
Farm-Specific Needs: As emphasized multiple times, there is no universal calendar. Factors like farm size, biosecurity level, previous disease history, and even geographical location (e.g., "necesidades de la zona") all influence the optimal schedule.
Rigorous Biosecurity: Vaccination and deworming are powerful tools, but they are most effective when coupled with strong biosecurity measures. Preventing contamination between groups of pigs and ensuring good hygiene practices minimize the overall pathogen load and reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Proper Administration: Vaccines and dewormers must be handled and administered correctly. This includes proper storage ("Manejo de biológicos"), correct injection techniques, and accurate dosing to ensure efficacy and safety.
Continuous Monitoring and Adjustment: A health program is dynamic. Producers should continuously monitor their herd for signs of disease (e.g., "problemas de diarrea o enfermedades respiratorias") and consult with their veterinarian to make necessary adjustments to the calendar. This adaptive approach ensures the program remains effective against evolving disease challenges.

Conclusion

A well-planned and consistently executed vaccination and deworming calendar is an indispensable investment in the health and productivity of any swine operation. It serves as a proactive shield against a myriad of diseases and parasitic infestations, safeguarding animal welfare and ensuring economic viability. While general guidelines provide a valuable framework, the true success of such a program lies in its customization, guided by the expert advice of a veterinary professional who understands the unique context of your farm. By prioritizing these essential health protocols, pig producers can foster robust, healthy herds that contribute significantly to their agricultural endeavors.

Summary: This article highlights the critical importance of a tailored vaccination and deworming calendar for swine herds, emphasizing disease prevention, productivity enhancement, and biosecurity. It details recommended vaccination schedules for different pig categories (sows, boars, piglets, growing/finishing pigs) against common diseases like Erysipelas, Parvovirus, Mycoplasmosis, and various respiratory and enteric infections. The article also covers essential deworming protocols for internal and external parasites. Crucially, it stresses that any effective health program must be customized to the farm's specific needs and regional conditions, always under the guidance of a qualified veterinarian, ensuring proper administration and continuous monitoring for optimal swine health and production.

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