30 SWINE DISEASES 



Parasites 



Arduenna strongylina is a very common parasite in 

 the stomach of swine. In the central United States it is 

 probable that at least ninety per cent of swine are infested. 

 They are a small, thread-like, white worm, varying in 

 length from three-fourths of an inch to one and one-half 

 inches, usually more or less coiled, although they may be 

 found practically straight. They may be found in masses 

 in the submucosa, free upon the mucous membrane, 

 extending into the gastric glands, or even perforating 

 the mucous membrane. They injure their host by 

 direct abstraction of nutriment, by obstruction of gastric 

 glands, by destruction of tissue, and by irritation. The 

 usual condition resulting from infestation with these 

 parasites is chronic gastric catarrh. 



Symptoms. Symptomatically the infestation with 

 large numbers of the Arduenna strongylina is evidenced 

 by variation of appetite, and usually by constipation, 

 unthriftiness, and rough coat. It is doubtful if any 

 symptoms would be sufficiently prominent upon which 

 to base a diagnosis in cases in which the infestation is 

 limited to a few worms. 



Treatment. Treatment of gastric parasitism is 

 not difficult providing the parasites are free upon the 

 surface, but successful treatment is difficult in cases where 

 the parasites have passed through the mucous membrane 

 into the submucosa. The usual anthelmintic treatment 

 is most easily applied in the food or slop. Ferrous 

 sulphate, copper sulphate, or oil of turpentine may be 

 mixed with slops. Santonin given with food is of value, 

 but creosote in the slop is probably most efficient. 



The Simondsia paradoxa infests the stomach of 

 swine, but is probably not found in the United States, 

 although quite prevalent in some sections of Europe. 

 The lesions, symptoms, and treatment are similar to 

 those given for Arduenna strongylina. 



Ascaris suum is found occasionally in the stomach, 

 but its natural habitat is the intestine, and it will be dis- 

 cussed later in that relation. 



