There are two important principles involved in preventing disease entry when newly purchased breeding-stock are brought into the herd. Firstly, it is important to know the health status and biosecurity program of the herd selling the gilts and boars. Illeitis Parvovirus Enzootic pneumonia Glassers APP Mange Rhinitis Swine dysentery Breeding-stock supplier herds should be inspected by veterinarians to assess the herd for clinical evidence of disease and rate the biosecurity of the farm by awarding points for such measures as location away from other pig farms, locked doors, no introduction of live animals, and precautions taken to wash and disinfect trucks. The higher the biosecurity score, the more certain the purchaser is that the disease status of the supplier herd will remain the same. Breeding-stock herds can be tested for the presence of diseases using serology, bacterial cultures, and slaughter check evaluations.
Pigs provide the best opportunity for the introduction of disease.
Bacteria and viruses that cause pig diseases multiply very well in the pig. Because of this, pigs with clinical disease shed large volumes of disease organisms. Viruses are found in urine, manure, and in the fluid when pigs cough or sneeze. A good example of stress is the transportation of breeding stock animals. In all likelihood, embryo transfer is the safest but the most impractical of the three techniques.