Effect of Campylobacter spp-induced enteritis on growth rate and feed efficiency in pigs

Diarrhea caused by Campylobacter spp-induced enteritis was observed in pigs that were part of a pneumonia study. Growth rate, feed conversion, and daily health status had been recorded for each pig in the trial. Because diarrhea was the only clinical sign of disease that developed in the control group of pigs, and no other diseases were detected in these pigs at slaughter, it was possible to examine the effect of diarrhea on growth rate and feed efficiency. During the course of the study, 6 of the 16 control pigs had severe diarrhea, 2 were moderately affected, and another 8 were slightly affected or remained clinically normal. Compared with the mean values for each pig, feed intake and daily weight gain were reduced in the week preceding the appearance of clinical disease, but not during the time when diarrhea was observed. Overall performance of pigs with severe diarrhea was not different from that of pigs that were not affected.