What Is Rhinitis in Pigs?

Rhinitis is an infectious disease that affects a pig's nose, causing inflammation and atrophy. The disease is often caused by bacteria and other airborne irritants and is highly contagious among pigs.

  1. Symptoms

    • Chronic sneezing is one of the first signs of rhinitis in pigs. Other signs may include runny eyes, discharge from the nose, bloody nose or a shortening or twisting of the upper jaw.

    Diagnosis

    • Rhinitis can be diagnosed with nasal swabs of the nose and examination of the snout for significant loss of turbinate tissue (tissue in structures of the nose).

    Treatment

    • Long-acting antibiotic medications like amoxicillin are an effective form of treatment in pigs if the disease is caught early enough.

    Spread of Disease

    • Many pigs carry the bacteria that cause rhinitis but do not display symptoms. They can pass the disease on to other pigs via nose-to-nose contact or ingestion of droplets from the nose.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Pigs with which an infected pig may come in contact should be vaccinated against rhinitis, and the infected pig should be quarantined for up to six weeks.