PRRS in Finishing Pigs Signs in finishing pigs are similar to signs seen in mature animals. Some pigs may go off feed with fever, depression, and coughing. Secondary bacterial or viral infections with other pathogens may follow, and some death loss may result. PRRS virus infection in finishing pigs is usually less severe when compared to PRRS infection in nursery pigs. Diagnosis of PRRS in a herd Diagnsosis of PRRS requires cooperation between the local veterinarian and the veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
Diagnostic labs differ in the types of tissue and tests they use for diagnosis.
The information given below is general information only. Lesions compatible with PRRS are observed in pigs. The PRRS virus is recovered from the affected pigs or herd. When all 3 of the criteria are met, we generally are confident of our diagnosis. Often, however, diagnosis is made without documentation of all three criteria.