It is 4 am on 17 FEB and it is about 35 degrees and snowing…

It is 4 am on 17 FEB and it is about 35 degrees and snowing outside. Your least favorite show pig client calls because his old reliable sow (8th parity) that consistently produces show-winning progeny is in the process of farrowing and he believes she is not making adequate progress. She has delivered 6 pigs so far (she usually produces 11-13 without assistance). She has been in labor more than 4 hours and the last pig came 45 minutes ago. He is understandably upset and wants to know if you can get your lazy self out of bed and come help his sow. As you drive out to the site, you are playing out the likely scenario in your mind:

The finishing production manager for one of your swine clien…

The finishing production manager for one of your swine clients is concerned because he has recently observed an increase in the number of pigs that are pale, “bleached-out”, and that have black, tarry feces. He wants to know how he can prevent this problem in the future. Your advice is to: 

Dr. Brandi New received a call this morning from the herd ma…

Dr. Brandi New received a call this morning from the herd manager of a 2400-sow farm. The farm had 40 aborted litters of mid-to-late gestation since yesterday morning. The farrowing room manager has also reported that a few litters have been farrowed “a couple of days early” with some weak and stillborn pigs. Sows in gestation are off-feed and some appear lethargic with some mild coughing noted.   Which organism do you immediately place at the top of your differential diagnosis list?