An outbreak of splayleg and congenital tremors in piglets farrowed by a newly populated sow herd

Abstract

A newly populated sow herd suffered an outbreak of splayleg and congenital tremors in the offspring. Some piglets were affected by one or the other condition, others by both. The problem lasted for about 9 months and was associated with significant losses, mainly because of the splayleg component. Most piglets with only congenital tremors were able to survive and their condition improved as they got older. Piglets with congenital tremors had histological lesions consistent with this condition, and pestivirus K (formerly atypical porcine pestivirus) was identified from their nervous tissues.