Pleuropneumonia in Pigs
- See your vet immediately. Pleuropneumonia in pigs can progress within hours and may cause sudden death, severe breathing distress, or bloody froth from the nose or mouth.
- The usual cause is *Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae*, a contagious bacterial infection spread mainly by close pig-to-pig contact. Recovered pigs may remain carriers.
- Common signs include high fever, not eating, reluctance to move, rapid or labored breathing, open-mouth breathing, coughing, and sudden collapse in severe cases.
- Diagnosis often involves a physical exam, herd or exposure history, and testing such as PCR or bacterial culture from lung tissue, nasal or tonsil samples, or necropsy findings.
- Typical 2026 U.S. cost range for evaluation and treatment is about $150-$500 for an exam and basic medications in a mild individual case, $400-$1,200 for diagnostics and outpatient care, and $1,000-$3,500+ for hospitalization, oxygen support, imaging, and intensive treatment.
What Is Pleuropneumonia in Pigs?
Pleuropneumonia is a serious bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the lungs and the lining around the lungs, called the pleura. In pigs, the classic cause is Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. This disease is known for starting suddenly and becoming severe very quickly, especially in growing pigs, though adult pigs can also become very ill.
Some pigs are found dead before obvious warning signs are noticed. Others develop high fever, stop eating, breathe hard, and may stand apart from the group or refuse to move. In severe cases, pigs can have open-mouth breathing or frothy, sometimes blood-tinged discharge from the nose or mouth.
For pet pigs and small backyard groups, this is still an emergency. Even if only one pig seems affected, your vet will usually think about the whole group because carrier pigs can spread infection. Pigs that survive may be left with scarred lung tissue and can have ongoing respiratory problems later.
Symptoms of Pleuropneumonia in Pigs
- Sudden severe breathing difficulty
- High fever
- Not eating or drinking normally
- Reluctance to move
- Coughing
- Foamy or blood-tinged nasal or oral discharge
- Sudden death
- Poor growth or chronic breathing issues after recovery
When to worry is easy here: right away. A pig with fast breathing, open-mouth breathing, blue or pale gums, collapse, bloody froth, or a high fever needs same-day veterinary care, and often emergency care. If you have more than one pig, separate the sick pig from others if it can be done safely and with low stress, then call your vet. Because this infection can spread quickly, your vet may want to assess exposed pigs too.
What Causes Pleuropneumonia in Pigs?
The main cause is infection with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, often shortened to A. pleuropneumoniae or APP. This bacterium spreads mostly through close contact, especially nose-to-nose contact, and recovered pigs can continue to carry the organism and infect others. Aerosol spread can happen, but close contact is considered the main route.
Stress and management factors can make outbreaks more likely or more severe. Mixing pigs, transport, crowding, poor ventilation, temperature swings, and concurrent respiratory disease can all increase risk. Young growing pigs are commonly affected, but adult pigs are not fully protected and may also become seriously ill.
In pet pigs, exposure may happen after contact with other pigs at rescues, fairs, breeding facilities, boarding situations, or new introductions to the home. A pig can look healthy and still carry respiratory pathogens, which is why quarantine and careful introductions matter.
How Is Pleuropneumonia in Pigs Diagnosed?
Your vet will start with the pig's breathing pattern, temperature, lung sounds, recent exposure history, and how quickly signs appeared. Pleuropneumonia is often suspected when a pig has sudden fever and severe respiratory distress, especially if there has been recent contact with other pigs or a new pig in the group.
Testing may include PCR or bacterial culture, ideally from appropriate respiratory samples or lung tissue. In herd or outbreak settings, necropsy findings can be especially helpful because APP often causes dramatic lung and pleural lesions. Your vet may also recommend bloodwork, ultrasound, or radiographs in some pet pig cases, mainly to assess severity and rule out other causes of respiratory distress.
Diagnosis is not only about naming the bacteria. Your vet may also look for other infections that can overlap with or worsen respiratory disease, because pigs often have more than one contributing problem. That matters when choosing treatment, isolation steps, and prevention for the rest of the group.
Treatment Options for Pleuropneumonia in Pigs
Spectrum of Care means you have options. Here are treatment tiers at different price points.
Budget-Conscious Care
- Urgent exam with your vet
- Isolation from other pigs
- Injectable or oral antibiotics selected by your vet based on likely pathogens and local resistance patterns
- Anti-inflammatory medication if appropriate
- Temperature control, easy access to water, and reduced handling stress
- Monitoring of breathing rate, appetite, and response over 24-48 hours
Recommended Standard Treatment
- Same-day veterinary exam and respiratory assessment
- Targeted antibiotics and anti-inflammatory treatment
- PCR, culture, or other diagnostic sampling when feasible
- Supportive care such as fluids, nebulization when appropriate, and careful nursing
- Group-risk discussion for exposed pigs, quarantine planning, and follow-up recheck
Advanced / Critical Care
- Hospitalization or intensive on-farm veterinary management
- Oxygen support when available
- Advanced imaging or repeated monitoring of lung status
- IV or repeated injectable medications and fluid support
- Expanded diagnostics, including necropsy guidance for herd outbreaks if a pig dies
- Detailed outbreak-control plan for exposed pigs, quarantine, sanitation, and vaccination review
Cost estimates as of 2026-03. Actual costs vary by location, clinic, and individual case.
Questions to Ask Your Vet About Pleuropneumonia in Pigs
Bring these questions to your vet appointment to get the most out of your visit.
- Based on my pig's breathing and exam, does this look like an emergency that needs hospitalization?
- What tests would be most useful right now, and which ones can wait if I need a more conservative plan?
- Which antibiotic options make sense for my pig, and how do you choose among them?
- Should I isolate this pig, and for how long should exposed pigs be monitored?
- What signs mean my pig is getting worse and needs to be seen again immediately?
- If my pig recovers, is long-term lung damage likely, and what follow-up should we plan?
- Do my other pigs need an exam, testing, or preventive treatment after this exposure?
- Is vaccination appropriate for my pig or group based on lifestyle and exposure risk?
How to Prevent Pleuropneumonia in Pigs
Prevention focuses on limiting exposure and reducing stress on the respiratory tract. Quarantine any new pig before introduction, avoid nose-to-nose contact with unfamiliar pigs, and be cautious after fairs, rescues, breeding visits, or boarding. Good ventilation, lower stocking density, clean housing, and steady temperatures all help reduce respiratory disease pressure.
Carrier pigs are a major challenge because a pig can look normal and still spread APP. That is why herd history matters. If one pig becomes sick, your vet may recommend monitoring or evaluating the whole group rather than treating the case as an isolated problem.
Vaccination may be part of prevention in some pigs, especially where exposure risk is higher. Merck Veterinary Manual lists APP vaccination for pet pigs starting at 8-12 weeks, repeated in 3-4 weeks, with boosters semiannually or annually depending on risk and your vet's plan. Vaccines do not replace quarantine, sanitation, and careful introductions, but they can be one useful layer in a broader prevention strategy.