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Control sow health challenges with a practical option

In an industry where health challenges can determine the difference between profitability and loss, why not use a treatment that is effective against important pathogens and is administered efficiently?

Sows are the bedrock of the pork supply chain, and their longevity directly affects a farm’s ability to stay in business. However, the pathogens that cause both swine respiratory disease and porcine proliferative enteritis taunt pork producers.

“Illness in a sow isn’t a matter of getting her recovered to perform for a few months; it’s a matter of her being able to perform for years. So, if she does fall ill with SRD or ileitis, it’s crucial to get her treated as soon as possible before lung or intestinal lesions can form,” says Pharmgate Technical Service Veterinarian Jeff Okones.

Using a water-soluble antibiotic is just the way to do it, he says.

Why water?
Antibiotics administered via water are beneficial due to their speed, flexibility and effectiveness, says Okones.

Water-soluble medications answer the call effectively and efficiently because one person can provide relief to an entire barn and one medication can quickly combat targeted pathogens.

Antibiotics delivered via water as a route of administration have increased by 4% from 2011 to 2020. In 2020, water as a ROA represented 30% of antibiotic administration.[1]

“Most sows will continue to drink water after they have stopped eating, so using water-soluble antibiotics can provide rapid relief for multiple pathogens,” says Okones. “Even healthy pigs consume twice as much water as feed, making water the ideal channel for delivering antibiotics.”

Luke Strehle, veterinarian at Nebraska Vet Services, reaches for Aivlosin Water Soluble Granules (62.5% w/w/ Tylvalosin as Tylvalosin Tartrate) because of its fast-acting relief.

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Evidence-Based PRRS Elimination Methods - Dr. Brent Pepin

Video: Evidence-Based PRRS Elimination Methods - Dr. Brent Pepin


In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Brent Pepin, Director of Swine Health at the National Pork Board, explains how a systematic review of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus elimination methods is helping shape future herd health strategies. He discusses evidence-based farm and regional approaches, research gaps, and practical guidance to support informed decision-making across the swine industry. Listen now on all major platforms!

Click here to learn more: https://porkcheckoff.org/research/sys...

"Disease status sharing gives producers the opportunity to make real-time decisions that reduce PRRS prevalence and protect regions from new exposure."

Meet the guest: Dr. Brent Pepin / brent-pepin-dvm-ms-7988066b is Director of Swine Health at the National Pork Board. After earning his DVM and M.S. from Iowa State University, he built extensive experience in swine veterinary practice, research, and herd health management. His current work focuses on disease control, traceability, and improving herd health across the U.S. swine industry. Listen to Brent Pepin on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.