Key mycotoxins that matter in swine

In part 1 of our series, we introduced the three most prevalent mycotoxins in feed affecting pigs: deoxynivalenol, also commonly called vomitoxin, fumonisin and zearalenone. This article will dig a little deeper into what you should know about these mycotoxins as a producer. It’s important to be familiar with the symptoms of mycotoxicosis because it is not always obvious that feed is contaminated — it takes very little to affect pigs. It can be an invisible threat to pig health.

Vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol, DON)

What you see in the barn
Your pigs are suddenly eating less than normal and may even refuse to eat. In feeder pigs, there is very little weight gain or possibly weight loss, and pregnant sows may have significant weight loss and abort. In severe cases, pigs may have diarrhea or vomiting and die suddenly.

Vomitoxin/DON in feed
Vomitoxin primarily targets epithelial cells in the gastrointestinal tract and affects the immune system. For this reason, nursery pigs, with their immature gut and immune systems, are the most sensitive to vomitoxin. It is recommended that the feed contain less than 1 ppm (1 mg/kg). As concentration increases, so do the effects. When vomitoxin reaches 5 ppm, you will likely see feed refusal; at 10 ppm, you will see more extreme symptoms such as vomiting, and at very high concentrations, death is possible.