Treatment of a case of trichurosis (Trichuris suis) in pigs

Trichuris suis infection was identified in a pig herd during an investigation into persistent diarrhea and weight loss in 10 recently introduced gilts. Eggs of the parasite were identified in faeces of gilts. Further investigations failed to detect other causes of diarrhea but, in all production stages, they allowed the detection of eggs of Trichuris suis that could explain pasty faeces sometimes observed in weaned sows and frequent diarrhea found in the early fattening period. The administration of levamisole (intramuscular injection) to gilts allowed the excretion of adult parasites, the treatment of diarrhea and the reduction of the number of eggs per gram of faeces. Taking into account the success obtained with levamisole in gilts, the equipment of the farm and the wish of the farmer no to inject finishing pigs, an unsuccessful treatment was tried based on levamisole in drinking water every 8 and then 5 weeks. Flubendazole was finally administrated in drinking water every 3 and then 5 weeks, reducing significantly the number of eggs per gram of faeces.