Further evaluation of a novel polymeric antimicrobial for the control of porcine postweaning colibacillosis

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate a new polymeric antimicrobial for the control of porcine postweaning colibacillosis (PWC). Materials and methods: In an experimental infection study, three groups of 12 weaner pigs received either Chemeq polymeric antimicrobial in the food, a therapeutic dosage of apramycin orally, or no treatment. Three days after weaning, the pigs were challenged orally with cultures of β-hemolytic Escherichia coli O8:K87:K88, then monitored daily and euthanized 11 days after weaning. In a field trial, 148 weaned pigs in a commercial swine herd were divided into five groups, receiving polymeric antimicrobial either in their water or food, apramycin in their water, a commercial E coli PWC bacterin, or no treatment. Postweaning performance was monitored. Results: In the infection study, pigs receiving polymeric antimicrobial had less diarrhea than the apramycin-treated group (P