Efficacy of enteric‐coated tilmicosin granules in pigs artificially infected with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2

BACKGROUND: Porcine infectious pleuropneumonia caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) is one of the most serious infectious diseases in pigs and has brought huge economic losses to the world pig industry. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effect of enteric‐coated tilmicosin granule in the treatment and control of artificial infection of App. METHODS: Sixty Duroc and Yorkshire crossbred pigs (50 of which were artificially infected) were divided into six groups: BCG (Blank control group), ICG (Infection‐only control group), HDG (High‐dose enteric‐coated tilmicosin granules), MDG (Medium‐dose enteric‐coated tilmicosin granules), LDG (Low‐dose enteric‐coated tilmicosin granules) and TPG (Tilmicosin premix drug control group). The cure rate, mortality, clinical respiratory score, body temperature score, weight gain, lung score and so on were recorded. RESULTS: The cure rate of HDG and MDG was as high as 90%, the mortality was 10%, and the clinical signs recovered quickly. CONCLUSION: The results showed that enteric‐coated tilmicosin granules had obvious therapeutic effect on artificial infection, which could reduce the damage caused by the disease and reduce the mortality.