Two new injectable drugs recently released by Pfizer Animal Health are designed to prevent porcine circovirus and mycoplasma pneumonia.
RespiSure One, developed to help prevent development of pneumonia in piglets, is the only product approved for administration at one day of age.
“It gives the opportunity for the producer or veterinarian to give the vaccine ahead of any opportunity for infection,” said Dr. Walter Heuser, veterinarian and swine business unit director for Pfizer Animal Health Canada.
Mycoplasma pneumonia is one of the most common diseases in the hog industry. It reduces average daily gain and feed efficiency. A two millilitre dose given in the first week of life can provide up to 25 weeks of immunity, Pfizer said in a news release.
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Fostera PCV protects against porcine circovirus, which is prevalent in hog populations. The product is labelled for use in three-week old pigs as an aid in preventing viremia, a condition where viruses enter the bloodstream.
It is also designed to be useful in controlling PCV2. Pfizer said the product can provide four months of immunity in a single two mL dose.
Heuser said the two drugs can be administered at the same time. However, producers who want to treat piglets with both products at once must do it when the piglets are at least three weeks old because only RespiSure One can be given at one day of age.
He declined to give the cost of the products.
“That’s not something we discuss,” he said. “It’s price competitive in the marketplace.”
Both products are available exclusively through Canadian veterinarians.
