Antibiotic treatment in drinking water for nursery piglets exposed to the PRRS virus

Water-Based Antibiotic Treatment Cuts Piglet Mortality During PRRS Outbreaks

A recent CDPQ study found that adding Tylvalosine (Aivlosin®) to drinking water significantly improved outcomes for piglets recently exposed to the PRRS virus. Mortality dropped from 13% to 6%, and far fewer piglets needed individual antibiotic injections. Growth rates and feed conversion were similar between groups, meaning the water treatment delivered real health benefits without sacrificing performance.

For producers dealing with a PRRS outbreak in their sow herd, this is welcome news. A targeted, water-based antibiotic strategy can meaningfully reduce losses in the nursery during one of the most stressful periods in production.

Key takeaways:

• Mortality was cut nearly in half (13% vs. 6%) with the added water treatment
• Individual antibiotic interventions dropped from 5.1 to 1.7 per pen
• This approach is specifically for PRRS-naïve piglets recently exposed to the virus, and should not be applied broadly across all nursery pigs

For pork producers, this research reinforces that having a targeted, well-timed treatment protocol in place before a PRRS outbreak hits can make a real difference in piglet survival. Work with your veterinarian to determine if this approach fits your herd's situation.