Edema Disease

of suckling pigs, an acute disease that arises in suckling pigs of weaning age. Edema disease affects the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract and is characterized by the development of gelatinous edema in various tissues and organs. The disease sometimes affects up to 40–60 percent of a farm population, with a mortality rate of 80–100 percent.

The cause of edema disease has not been sufficiently studied. Most researchers believe that infection of the intestinal tract with beta-hemolytic coliform bacilli is the primary etiological factor. The typical symptoms are a nervous syndrome accompanied by agitation and short-term convulsions and the subsequent development of paresis and paralysis. Edema disease can be prevented by carefully supervising the weaning period and by eliminating errors in the care and feeding of young pigs.