Sulfaguanidine in the Treatment of Infectious Enteritis in Swine. ∗

Abstract

The reports of Marshall, et al., 1 , 2 on the use of sulfaguanidine in the treatment of enteric infections suggested a trial with this drug on infectious enteritis in swine. This disease, frequently referred to under such terms as necrotic enteritis or “necro”, diphtheritic enteritis, infectious diarrhea, bloody scours, and Salmonellosis, is a widespread and important disease of swine. Salmonella types of organisms are usually considered as the principal causative agent.

Table I, Group 1, summarizes controlled experiments in 12 lots of pigs containing from 2 to 14 animals manifesting various forms of the disease (acute to chronic). The drug was administered in capsules and the daily dose divided between morning and evening. Group 2 represents several lots of animals treated under field conditions in which it was not possible to leave some as controls. Daily observations were made of them, however. The drug was administered in capsules or mixed with small amounts of feed.

In addition to the above experiments a total of 333 swine were treated under conditions of a general veterinary practice and with the cooperation of local practicing veterinarians. The results obtained were similar to those shown in Table I.

In general, the diarrhea was checked and the feces returned to normal consistency by the fourth or fifth day and the treatment was continued for an additional 3 or 4 days before the animals were released. A corresponding improvement in physical condition occurred.

These preliminary trials suggest that an effective dose is within the range of 0.165 to 0.33 g per kilo body weight (or 0.75 to 1.5 g/10 1b). In preliminary toxicity trials no evidence of ill effects was noted with dosages below 0.66 g./kg.